In a city peppered with Punjabi dhabas, Imperial Punjab is just another face in the crowd - but hey, it's new, and if you live around Lajpat Nagar, a decent option for when you don't feel like cooking (or have no power to turn on your electric stove).

Royal Spoil

bpb tried and recommends murgh malai tikka, a hearty portion of poultry that tastes exactly how it's supposed to, and dum biryani that's well cooked and piping hot, still in its handi. These are the best of what we tried, heads above banarsi gilafi seekh, a dried-out, over-spiced mince of assorted vegetables; oily mutton curry with a stingy amount of meat; and dal which is passable but not earth-shattering - walk a couple of blocks in any direction, and you can score better.

They also have fish on the menu, although its availability is seasonal, and rumali rolls with various kinds of fillings that we decide to come back for another day.

Down for the Count

Unfortunately, Imperial Punjab serves no dessert, especially because we were looking forward to something cold and creamy to sooth our spice-ravaged throats. Either way, we recommend you ask them to go easy with the spices whenever you call in your order.

Getting there: Imperial Punjab, L-38, Lajpat Nagar II, call 29821028/29, a meal for two costs Rs 1050, free delivery within a 2 km radius for a minimum order of Rs 300.

bpb reviews anonymously and pays for its own meals