We Went & Gorged On #TandooriSpecials Under The Def Col Bridge @ Chawnsan Chef

If food is your religion, then the tiny complex under the Def Col flyover is a Mecca for your taste buds! You'll find more than you can worship on a single pilgrimage - from Indian and Mughlai to Chinese, Lebanese, street food and bakeries, all of this without shelling out too much dough. We decided to check out Chawnsan Chef on our latest trip, a restaurant which has been in business for over 26 years now, making it one of the founding pillars of this food complex. 

The eatery is divided into the kitchen on one side and the dine-in section on the other side of the road, the latter being quite small with barely four tables to boast of. Most of the joints here are hole-in-the-wall places relying on the quality of their goods to keep the customers coming in regularly, which they certainly do. Although Chawnsan is open from 1 - 11:30 PM (closed on Tuesdays), it’s peak hours are from 1 - 4 PM and 6:30-11:30 PM during which time it would be advisable to leave your ride at home since parking becomes a big problem.  

Well-known for its hearty tandoori specials, we decided to order up a dhaba-style feast from Chawnsan's (really extensive) menu and here's what went down: 

Chicken Reshmi Kabab 

Hitting the ball right outta the park with this one, Chawnsan had us impressed with how juicy and soft the chicken was in comparison to the perfectly crisp chargrilled skin. The spice level was mild and the bird had been cooked in its own juices till it reached a shade of golden brown that you'd fall in love with! Definitely recommended, this. 

Achari Paneer Tikka 

While the paneer was the right amount of fiery orange that we all know and love in a tikka, the dish wasn't anything special and was in dire need of the mint chutney and onions that came with it. Huge hunks of paneer were tossed with equally huge parts of capsicum, onions, cabbage and tomatoes (the rest of the veggies were almost tasteless) that made them a bit difficult to consume. The cottage cheese was not too spicy. 

Tawa Soya Chaap 

The gravy was a winner from the very first spoonful! Creamy and buttery with the perfect consistency, we ended up dunking the achari paneer into this as well to salvage the previous item. Unfortunately, the pieces of soya were quite hard and chewy, which marred the overall dish. If you're one who looks at the brighter side of things, we'd say try this one out with a Tandoori Roti because the gravy is certainly not to be missed! 

Chicken Tikka Roll 

Literally bursting with chicken, onions and mint chutney packed in a thin roomali roti, the Chicken Tikka Roll was quite filling. No skimping on the chicken is what we liked, although the filling was a tad bit salty for our liking. You can opt for this one if you're hungry, but not in the mood for something too heavy and rich. Our verdict: average.  

While we'd say that the overall meal was fraught with hits and misses, some dishes are definitely worth a trip while others were quite bleh. Perhaps you’ll have better luck with your order(s) here. On the service and hygiene front, we weren't too happy. A cockroach made a guest appearance during our meal and the lone waiter couldn't have cared less. So, don't go in expecting TOO much. However, the kababs and tikkas are worth a try if you're famished and in the vicinity. Chawnsan also has Chinese, which we might pop in to try next time. Let us know all about your experience!

Location | 108 & 126, Flyover Market, Defence Colony 
Timings | 1 - 11:30 PM (Closed On Tuesdays)
Meal For Two | Rs 700 
Must Haves | Chicken Reshmi Kabab, Tawa Soya Chaap