Bhrawan da dhaba- translated means - The Dhaba of the Brothers. This huge eatery is located very conveniently at a prime junction in Amritsar and very prominently visible as you return after an elated visit to the Golden Temple from the Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) side. It cannot boast to be the best and most authentic original Punjabi food joint but it definitely comes a very close second. I would rate “Kesar da dhaba” as the most authentic. This place is huge by any standards and can easily accommodate the hordes of tourists that throng this place at any given time of the day or night. It is now a far cry from its original thatched roof make shift place that it started out as and has now blossomed into a slick air-conditioned restaurant. It still maintains its old world charm if you were to visit it’s kitchen. Stick to the traditional Punjabi fare and you will come back licking your fingers. The “Sarson da Saag”(mustard paste slow cooked in butter) and “Makai di Roti”(corn flour pancakes) with oodles of butter accompanied by onion wedges and polished off with the thick “lassi” (butter-milk) Trust me, after this heady meal, you can doze off for a long satiated siesta. The “Paneer Palak”(Cottage cheese in thick spinach) and “Raaj Maa”(Kidney Beans) are a not to be missed delicacy. The “Kaali Maa Ki Daal” (black lentils) has to be slurped to be believed. And table manners can go take a walk for all that I care. When its true blue Punjabi fare that you wish to enjoy then do it like the Punjabis do-On a wooden charpoy (a four poster wooden bed trussed up with coir rope) with the kurta (shirt) sleeves rolled up. And after the meal it’s almost a ritual to wipe of the white moustache, which has the froth of the Lassi on it. Ah, the sins of gluttony ! In the morning the Panner da Paronthas (stuffed cottage cheese pancakes) with thick dahi (curd) and Amb da Achaar ( mango pickle ) or the Poori Chhole ( ballooned deep fried pancakes with black eyed beans) are a must have. Try the “Kadhaa” also called Suji da Halwa (a semolina sweet dish) or the “Gaajar Da Halwa” (grated carrots slow cooked in sweetened milk and topped off with almonds) or the piping hot black Gulab jamuns. It is the place to go and gorge on everything that is traditionally Punjabi and steeped in Ghee (clarified butter) and generally heavy on the digestive system. But let me put your minds at ease and remind you that the water in Amritsar has a unique property that helps you digest all this and leave you asking for more. Its got some natural therapeutic qualities (maybe its because most of the water in Punjab is drawn from bore wells and tube wells) which makes everything so palatable. That may also explain the pot bellies of the well built Punjabis. I think I have had my say and its now over to all of you out there to leave me your critical observations. Another thing – Incidentally this is my 96th Review here and I am inching ever so slowly towards that elusive century – and I need all your encouragement to make it to that milestone before I hang up my bat. Adieu – Regards Raja

Favorite Item:	Dal Makhani
Ideal for:	Large groups
Kid Friendly:	Yes
Favorite Item:	No Comment