Bihari Cuisine at Potbelly, Delhi

I didn’t knew we were going to have Bihari food though accompanied with native friends who managed to introduce me Bihari food 😉

Located in Capital, far away from hustle bustle, yet pretty centered, with other state houses, Bihar Niwas in Chanakyapuri, Delhi ‘The Potbelly’, a restaurant serving cuisine from the State quirky furniture and beautiful lamps hanging from the ceiling with sides accompanying the perfect tone and zest of music with overlooking al fresco dining.

Potbelly Delhi

The Potbelly which says

“Welcome to The Potbelly’s world of Bihari food, a cuisine with a heritage of influences from the Mauryas, Bengal Nawabs, Buddhists, Jains, Turks and Mughals. Our Recipes have been handed down over several generations in our home in Muzaffarpur, characterized by the use of simple ingredients to create dishes that couple smoky aromas with rich rustic flavors. “

No doubt on its first established restaurant serving cuisine from a particular State that has been invited by the government to set up the city cafe and run independently. Explored both the entries to Potbelly, One from the Main gate of Bihar Niwas, the other from the backyard overlooking a lush green lawn and al fresco dining.

Making my mood to have Bihari Cuisine for the first time, I Started with Mirch Masala Lemonade and Saaboodana Basket; Sabudana (tapioca) puffs fried to a golden crisp served with parwal (pointed gourd) chakha and tomato chakha.

Talking about food, we tried the Liti Choka, looks like Rajasthani Dal Bati but is completely different. Bihari dish prepared with whole-wheat balls stuffed with sattu (spiced gram flour) served with channa dal, aubergine mash and potato mash.

We also tried thali’s; concept dish paired with bread and sides to which creates a meal. We tried BHOJPURI THALI which had Paneer and potato vegetable stew served with two kinds of pooris of pickle, teesi (flax seed) chutney and aubergine raita and  MAITHILI THALI which had Paneer and mushroom in a creamy gravy served with spinach pooris, ol pickle, teesi (flax seed) chutney and aloo pudina raita with Poori basket which had assorted poories ; stuffed with spiced sattu (roasted gram flour), and aloo onion.

Bihari recipes have a zing of  Mustard oil and panchforan (five seed: saunf, sarson, methi, ajwain and mangraila) and you can very well experience this zing at The Potbelly. So did I try each of the chutney.

My personal recommendations would be: Mirch Masala Lemonade with Soda, Saboodana Basket and any of the Thali’s

Best time to be: Noon around lunch hours

I am sure I have left quite a lot to explore from here but for first time and time being I had much of Bihari stuffs. 😉

Potbelly is a must visit if you are a foodie; for authentic Bihari food.