Don’t Fear a Little Colour
Brought to us by the same folks behind Amaya The Indian Room, this latest northerly venture, dubbed Bread Bar, offers a more casual and fun atmosphere than its elegant brethren. It’s a veritable polychromatic paradise, vibrantly hued in shades of bright orange, hot pink, and deep purple—which on paper may seem like overkill, but in person delivers a striking sense of warmth and generosity. With the walls and seating swathed in these colour tones, Bread Bar’s aesthetic also includes rocky pillars, battered copper cups, and a private room to the rear enclosed by a terra cotta curtain.

A Playful Array
Taking traditional Indian fare and adding a modern twist, the menu at Bread Bar offers a playful array of new and innovative dishes to feast upon. Consider the ‘street food’ options, an group of smaller plates like jalapeno onion rings, masala grilled sea scallops, jhal muri chaat, and the vegetarian trio of samosas, aloo tikki, and spinach pakora. For larger portions, the santra bathak is roasted duck breast served with a curried orange reduction. The adraki lamb “lollipops” are marinated in white wine with pear chutney; and halibut ambotik is spiced with peppercorns, cumin, tumeric, and green mango. A very special chef’s tasting menu is offered with samplings of traditional and modern fare that change everyday.

But, Where’s the Bread?
A selection of “naan’ini” sandwiches are inventive plates combining naan bread with atypical fillings. Try naan drizzled with lime juice and chili, stuffed with pulled lamb and mashed potatoes. Saag pizza is topped with spiced creamed spinach with goat cheese on corn roti. In addition to the conventional plain, butter, and garlic naan, Bread Bar also offers chili paneer naan (baked with paneer cheese and red chili coating), and laccha paratha (whole wheat tandoori bread with mint and fenugreek coating).