Cooking at the rooftop.
By Mahmood Hossain
Sitting comfortably at the top of Solitaire Bangkok, in Sukhumvit Soi 13, Bawarchi Rooftop is part of the internationally known chain of fine and casual dining Indian restaurants. Beginning its journey in 1998 in Bangkok, Bawarchi specialises in Mughlai and North Indian cuisine, surrounding its guests with the warmth and hospitality you would expect from your own family. With establishments in Bangkok, Dubai, and Phuket, Bawarchi brings its mouthwatering veg and non-veg delights to a host of foodies craving a traditional and authentic style of cooking from North India.
First Impressions
Bawarchi Rooftop, with its tall wooden gates, welcomes you into one of the homeliest spaces in the bustling Nana area. Whether it’s being greeted and ushered by the lovely staff or taking a first glance at the interior and décor, first-timers will instantly feel at home. The surroundings will remind you of familiar places you may have frequented in the past, providing you with an abundance of comfort. There is no confusion as to what Bawarchi is or tries to be; it has all the elements of an Indian restaurant that hasn’t faltered in quality or service.
Depending on your seating arrangements, there is a wonderful view of downtown Bangkok through its sweeping vistas. If you arrive just before sunset, the cityscape completely transforms as the day transitions into an intimate evening sitting with family and friends. Adding to the atmosphere are the in-house live performers, serenading guests with their rendition of Bollywood melodies of the past at a soothing, perfect pitch.
Food and Drinks
If we weren’t cosy enough, the food drove us into a deceptive lull, borderlining on having a food coma. We started off with their Avocado pani puri shots to kickstart our taste buds, a unique combination we were surprised to have enjoyed. Next, the
Tandoori malai broccoli, marinated in a mix of cream cheese, cardamom, and black salt, accompanied by fresh apple and pomegranate chutney, made for a refreshing take on oven broccoli prepared in a tandoor.
For our savoury meat-eating experience, we were treated to Tandoori jhinga, gorgeous king prawns filled with roasted mustard seeds and caraway flamed. However, the Murgh makhanwala, the queen of all curries according to Bawarchi, ticked all the boxes. The grilled chicken is simmered in smooth tomato gravy and cashew, retaining its consistency, and finished with piquant dried fenugreek. This was enjoyed with roti, butter naan, and garlic naan.
From roti to rice, we were blessed with the Chicken biryani, braised with the restaurant’s own masala, combined with saffron-infused basmati rice, and cooked in dum. The dish was everything we’d expected of a proper plate of biryani. Although it did tempt us to try the mutton option as well to elevate the biryani experience further. And to wash it all down? You can always choose from a great selection of cocktails from the bar, complementing each one of these dishes.
Masala Recommends
The Tandoori murgh happens to be Bawarchi’s most popular dish – a whole chicken marinated in fresh yoghurt, mustard oil, garam masala, and charred in a traditional tandoor. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, but the classic way of preparing the dish can be the right approach to providing something close to perfection. As much as we wanted to suggest a dish the average guest wouldn’t expect, it was incredibly difficult to overlook how wonderfully tender the chicken was and the balance of flavours effortlessly satisfied the taste buds. Sometimes, settling on something traditional, tried, and tested is the ideal path to absolute fulfilment.
BAWARCHI ROOFTOP
16th floor of Solitaire Hotel
75/23, Sukhumvit Soi 13
Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet
Watthana Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Open daily from 5:30pm to 12am
Tel: 02 081 3815
Instagram & Facebook: @bawarchirooftop
www.bawarchiindian.com
