I was still on a roll in satisfying my Indian Food cravings when I chanced upon the Facebook Page of Star Punjabi Dhaba Indian Restaurant in Cainta while searching Indian restaurants that offers food delivery service in Rizal area where I am currently at. I've checked their virtual menu and decided to get in touch with them to check if they can deliver in my area. I was taking a chance, luckily they told me that they can via Lalamove App.
I was so thankful thinking that they might have took pity on this girl who was almost begging them to accommodate a delivery request because she was going crazy craving for Indian food. Little did I know, Star Punjabi Dhaba Indian Restaurant was the very same restaurant that went viral recently for giving away free food to literally anyone who's hungry amidst the pandemic.
In hindsight, I figured it wasn't just pity. The people behind this restaurant have innate kindness in them. The owner who is an Indian nationality I later researched, has a big heart. He fed people for free during the pandemic, and in foreign land at that. Indeed, kindness knows no boundaries.
So, after confirming my orders I waited patiently. It took more than an hour but time wasn't a big deal at that point because hey, I am just thankful that they agreed to deliver to my place. And let me tell you, once the order came, thank heaven for Lalamove, the beautiful and enticing aroma of Indian food wafted through our entire house. It was a spice heaven.
First I devoured was their lovely spicy Aloo Paratha (Php50 each) hinting of different spices. Is it was already flavored, it can be eaten as it is. But it does not mean that you cannot pair it up with all the other dishes because that was what I exactly did. My nephew, an 11-year old boy who I loves Indian food as much as I do loves paratha. While he find this one a tad spicy for his liking, he was still able to finish several pieces of it. The next time I ordered, I ordered the Plain Paratha (Php30 each) for him and that boy swept 5 pieces in one go.
I didn't order for this Dhal Makhani but I guess it was a freebie because my order was more than a thousand peso. I believe they had this on-going promo during the time I placed my order that when you reached a certain amount, you will be given a free Cholle Bhatora but in my case it was a Dhal which was so good I was so thankful I was able to try it. The Dhal was so amazing and the bhatora (bhatura/bhatoora/fluffy deep fried leavened bread) was equally amazing.
I also had their Aloo Paratha with Dahi (Php70) but in the picture below the Dahi (Yogurt) was placed with the extra Roti (Php15 each) because I got too excited I want to finish taking photo and dive into the food right away. Anyway, the Aloo Paratha I enjoyed with the Dahi and the combination was perfect because the Dahil serves a a delicious and cooling respite from the spicy paratha. The rotis, I eaten with the rest of the delicious viands.
You will notice that I prefer my Indian food vegetarian but my mother specifically requested for Chicken Biryani (Php120/solo, Php500/family) hence I got one for her and she enjoyed it immensely. Judging from the way they promote their Chicken Biryani on their Facebook Page, I am guessing it is their house specialty and I could totally understand that because it was so good that anyone who isn't familiar with Indian food yet, may find this dish a pleasant introduction.
As mentioned, I prefer Indian food that are vegetarian simply because its flavors were enough to satisfy my palate I never craved for any meat. And I always take advantage of those moments when I don't have to crave for meat because those are rare. If you've been around the blog for a long time, you would remember that I have shared with you before how I went vegetarian for a year.
It was a good experience, but my doctor found out that I am not really the type who could absorb protein too easily, so she suggested to go back eating little bit of meat from time to time. I am still on the crossroad when it comes to that matter, but we will see.
Majority of the dishes I ordered were Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese) dishes. But for those who loves their meat, fret not because Star Punjabi Dhaba's have them as well. Meanwhile, let's talk about these vegetarian dishes I had.
Star Punjabi Dhaba's Matar Paneer (Php120) was an exquisite dish of paneer and peas cooked in garam masala spiced tomato based sauce. Of all the dishes I have ordered, this one was the spiciest but the most flavorful.
I also had the Mushroom Cheesa Masala (Php120) which is a combination of mushroom and paneer in thick spiced gravy sauce. I love mushroom and I love paneer so, this combination was a total heaven for me.
The Shai Paneer (Php120) I figured was the creamiest of all the paneer dishes I had, but it was not without a punch of spice that Indian food is known for. It was a bit sweet hence the push and pull of spiciness and sweetness was something anyone who is not too crazy about spicy food might enjoy.
The Palak Paneer (Php120) on the other hand was a paneer dish laden with spiced savory spinach gravy sauce. Most of the palak paneer I had in the past has a pureed spinach gravy sauce but this one got more texture to it because they didn't pureed the spinach to kingdom come, which I love.
I also had their Samosa (Php20 each) filled with spiced aloo (potatoes) and spices. It was spicy as expected but delicious nonetheless. I love how crisp and flaky the pastry was. And while the sauce that goes with it was good, I enjoyed it more with the tamarind chutney I have in my stash.
For dessert I had their Gulab Jamun (Php100 for 250grams) which I love to the core. I might have mentioned it before that one of my favorite Indian desserts have always been Gulad Jamun. It's like biting into a sweet bead soaked in a sweet syrup - it was just a blissful experience each time.
I am not an expert when it comes to Indian food but having been in the food writing business for over a decade now, I can confidently say that I know good food when I find one. And dare I say, Star Punjabi Dhaba's offerings which I have tried were good and well worth raving for.
Now here comes the good news for us currently in Rizal area. Star Punjabi Dhaba opened its second branch in Angono Rizal today. I cannot wait to visit them soon and I encourage you Rizal peeps to visit them and enjoy authentic Indian Food at a very affordable price.
I have not, and will probably not outgrow my love for Indian Food, so expect to have more of this amazing cuisine shared on this blog. If you know any Indian restaurants, preferably those which can delivery in Rizal area, please let me know in the comment box below. If I like their offerings, I will most definitely blog about it here at YedyLicious.
Star Punjabi Dhaba
Authentic Indian Restaurant
Branches:
Cainta - 48 hon. Benito Soliven St. Greenpark Subd. Cainta Rizal
Angono - Manila East Road Brgy San Roque Angono Rizal (Near SM Angono, beside Motorcycle City in front of Yamaha)
Contact No.: 0919-9007709
Facebook: STAR Punjabi DHABA
