Khyber Pass Is Very Flattering

May 16, 2002

When was the last time you went to a restaurant and remember being served beer in a chilled glass?

Place : Khyber Pass Restaurant Rating: XXLocation: Speke Hotel, Nile Avenue Parking : Street, but securePrices: Not CheapAmbience: Excellent outdoors, so so indoorsOpen: 7 days a weekBy Kadumukasa Kironde IIWhen was the last time you went to a restaurant and remember being served beer in a chilled glass? For that matter, was the waiter there to refill your glass when it was half empty? I must say, there is something very flattering about being made to feel very special and all this without demanding it. Rest assured, that attention to detail as well as exceptional hospitality, is the rule rather than the exception at this very classy joint. I for one feel that it is so pleasant to be seated in great comfort while enjoying a three-hour meal. In any case, this should always be par for the course though sadly, very often it is not the case. Fortunately, over at Khyber Pass, Mr. Biju, the manager is a charming, energetic and an indefatigable host. Very much a natural at what he does, his presence is felt all over the place and to his credit his service staff are also up to the task.The challenge of any great restaurant is the ability of the chefs to prepare the kind of food that will bring you back time and again. Indeed, there are so many items on the Khyber Pass menu that can best be described as memorable and superb as to entice us back, asking for more. Take something as simple and basic as mixed vegetables gently laced in a tangy chilli spicing and then sauteed in chilli garlic sauce. Hmm, simply tantalising. And then we always go for the dal makhani. These are small black beans that are simmered overnight in combination of fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, spices etc. one word can best describe this dish— delectable. By the way, in the true tradition of Indian culture and hospitality, the vegetarian will not all be disappointed.For the non-vegetarian starters, the menu is equally wide and well prepared. For something in the line of chicken, you can always go for the reshmi khabab. These tender chicken morsels that are marinated in a cashew nut paste flavoured with cream, and then grilled in a clay oven. Rich and tasty, we love them. On those occasions when money is no object perhaps you are celebrating a salary increase then go for the jumbo size prawns. Expensive, but nevertheless worth every penny. When it comes to the main courses, one is left to choose from either mutton, goat, chicken or fish/sea food. The chicken Hydrabadi is really a gem. Actually, what gives it that zest is the hot combination of minced meat coupled with the garlic, ginger and others. Equally well done was the boneless cubes of goat meat which also can be ordered with minced mutton. Khyber Pass, unlike some other Indian joint, strives to make the hot dishes actually hot. Speaking of which, not all Indian dishes are served hot as in spicy, for want of a better word. When in doubt, seek the wisdom of Mr. Biju.The alfresco setting is my preferred area for seating. It is also a lot quieter than indoors. Khyber Pass is the kind of place where one dines at a leisurely pace in a setting, which is idyllic and romantic. However, indoors can be stuffy as well as noisy. As for prices, good things do not come cheap. Having said that, when your bill comes, you will pay with both hands feeling that the experience has been what you expected and even more.xxx Excellentxx Very goodx Worth a visito Doesn’t deserve a rating

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});