Dining

Great Indian Delicacies!

by: BTM - Fri, 02 Aug 2024

The Great Kebab Factory has opened its doors in Saar with the promise to serve diners in Bahrain the finest of Indian food. Farah Baig went on a culinary journey to find out what makes this restaurant so special.

The Great Kebab Factory (TGKF) has perfected over 400 recipes since the concept came to life some 50 years ago. So, naturally, I was thrilled to learn that TGKF was ready to serve diners in Bahrain as a venture under JOZGROUP W.L.L.

My first impression was that the restaurant is incredibly inviting and tastefully decorated with royal blue furnishings and gold accents making it ideal for celebratory lunches or dinners, or even a mid-week indulgence. TGKF offers diners vegetarian and non-vegetarian feasts served at your table.

To whet our appetite, we were served a tomato shorba that was poured out of a kettle and into glasses. Despite being piping hot, it was refreshing even on a hot summer day.

Our host explained that dining at TGKF is meant to be a culinary journey and we were soon given our first taste of just that with TGKF’s signature dish - the Galauti Kebab. This beautifully plated kebab was served on freshly made flat bread. We were instructed to spread this smooth kebab, top it off with sliced onions and drizzle green chutney on it before taking a bite, and its blend of flavours and textures was just divine!

Next, we bit into the Punjabi Choosa – a perfectly marinated chicken drumstick. A lot of the kebabs are family recipes that have been perfected over time and feature TGKF spice mixes that have been imported from India. We appreciated the fact that the flavour penetrates all the way through which isn’t always the case with marinated meats.
Tucking into some seafood, we relished the Fish 65 which was perfectly crisp and Hariyali Jinga (prawns) which had a hint of aromatic herbs. We savoured these with the range of condiments that are available at every table which includes green, tomato, and tamarind chutneys and raita (yoghurt).

The restaurant has several options for vegetarians (and Jain dishes too!) making the experience enjoyable for all. The Bharva Aloo which had a crisp exterior with sesame seeds showcased the culinary team’s prowess when it comes to making tasty vegetarian dishes. Its paneer, too, was soft and fresh and well prepared.

Apart from its kebabs, TGKF is known for its delicious curries. Dal Factory, which is slow-cooked for nearly 24 hours, is one of its specialities. We enjoyed this as well as some rich chicken and mutton curries with the range of freshly-made naan.

All eyes were then on the smoked chicken tikka which was served off the skewer. It had a great smoky flavour and was juicy and tender. This, along with a host of kebabs, were relished with the range of chutneys and washed down with sips of expertly-crafted mocktails.

While we were quite full by this point, a trio of dessert – Doodhi (white pumpkin) Halwa, Kheer (a light pudding) and Jalebi with Rabdi remained. The Doodhi Halwa, which was served in a cute, miniature pressure cooker was absolutely delicious. It had a creamy texture which went well with the light crunch of grated nuts. The Jalebi which is a favourite among TGKF’s diners was perfect for those with a sweet tooth – pure indulgence.