Panchvati Gaurav, DLF Cyber city

"Thali" - It is an Indian name given to a round platter used to serve food. The idea behind a Thali is to offer all the 6 different flavors of sweet, salt, bitter, sour, astringent and spicy on one single plate. According to Indian food custom, a proper meal should be a perfect balance of all these 6 flavors. 

In order to explore and experience all the 6 flavors; on one of the weekends, I decided to visit India's first integrated food and entertainment destination, DLF Cyber Hub. Cyber hub is spread over 2 lakh sq ft and is home to several multinationals companies, Iconic restaurants with International & Indian cuisine. 

Among some celebrated fine dining restaurants, fast food joints, lounge bars, cafes, bakeries and much more, lies an ethnic pure vegetarian restaurant - Panchvati Gaurav. Panchvati Gaurav is a 40 year old brand that serves a mix of Gujarati & Rajasthani Thali. It has total 25 branches, of which 10 are self owned and remaining 15 are franchises. The outlet where we had visited is located on the ground floor of DLF Cyber Hub. The best part about Panchvati Gaurav is that they don't have any fixed menu for their Thali. They have a different set of food items everyday, doing justice to all the 6 flavors.  

The day we had visited Panchvati Gaurav in DLF Cyber City, we were served with (clockwise)

• Three types of sabzis : 
• Aaloo Tamatar ka rassa - Good taste with mild spice 
• Rajasthani Gatte - It is an authentic dish from Rajasthan. Gatta is a besan dumpling,  cooked in boiling water and then used in curry (mild or spicy) 
• Paneer masala - Paneer being a punjabi dish; at Panchvati the chef adds Rajasthani flavor to it by adding dried and powdered spices. 
• Yellow dal 
• Two types of kadhi (Yellow & White) were served at Panchvati - Generally kadhi is made from besan and yogurt. It was actually originated in Rajasthan. Being in Delhi and surrounded by Punjabi culture we are use to Kadhi with pakodas but at Panchvati its the Rajasthani & Gujarati spices that does the magic for you, making it both light to eat and delicious to relish.
• Fruit Custard - Perfect for the palate.
• Balu Shahi - One of the traditional dessert from the Indian sub continent. Very well cooked, just the right amount of sugar syrup. 
• Puran Poli - Made up of all purpose flour and filled chana dal and sugar. It is to be eaten with lot of ghee on it. 
• Masala Puri 
• Dhokla - One of the famous Gujarati delicacy 
• Hara bhara kebab
• Imli Chutney
• Cucumber Salad
• Dal Baati Churma - What "Chole Bhature is to Punjab, Dal Baati Churma is to Rajasthan. Rajasthani thali is incomplete with this dish. Baati is dough ball made up of Wheat Flour, Ghee and sometimes milk. Dal is mainly made by mixing five types of lintels. Churma is a sweet dish with richness of ghee and dry fruits in it. 
• Bajra Roti
• Wheat Chapati
• Green Chilli aachar
• Butter milk
• Papad 
• Bottled water

Positives

• "Atithi Devo Bhava" - This restaurant does justice to this saying. The staff is very warm and serves you with smile on their face.
• Waiters use sign languages
• Take away is available. 
• To impress your foreign delegates with Indian food, this is a place to be. 
• Hygienic space
• Outdoor sitting is also available

Negatives

• The waiters serve the food very fast, so you might want to ask them before they fill your Thali. Sometimes you may end up wasting food. 

Tips

• Good for lunch - MAKE SURE YOU GO EMPTY STOMACH to enjoy every bite. 

Sources referred:
1. Wikipedia
2. The Better India
3. No Vice Housewife