Love thy neighbour goes the saying. And taking that advice forward is Sarhad Restaurant, which lies midway between Amritsar and Lahore, barely a couple of kilometres from the Indo-Pak border in Attari.
A symbol of a glorious past and a dream of peaceful ties between neighbours India and Pakistan, the restaurant tries to bring out the best of the rich common heritage of the two nations.
The food is a tribute to both Lahori and Amritsari cuisine. Set amid a lush green expanse, Sarhad showcases the architectural, cultural and culinary heritage of pre-partition Punjab in general and Amritsar-Lahore in particular.
The Lahori menu comprises both vegetarian and non-vegetarian favourites from across the border like Chapli Kebab, Nihari Gosht, Bannu Kebab, Fish Korma, Miyanji ki Dal and Bakarkhani Roti. Not surprisingly, the Lahori fare is a big draw for guests who are served on marble-top tables whilst one sits on wooden carved chairs imported from Pakistan.
A favourite among the guests is the Lahori Thaal, while Sarhad’s famous Anarkali Kesar Lassi is supposed to be thicker than the variety available in Amritsar.
“Amritsar and Lahore share a great culinary tradition,” says Aman Jaspal, promoter of Sarhad. “Food is the primary love of all Punjabis. If hunger fuels the fire of anger, food is the energy that propels peace,” he adds. According to him, his inspiration was Islamabad’s Deh Pardesh Restaurant which has a temple and Gurdwara on the premises.
Of the 50 items on the menu, 30 have their origins in Lahore. “We get our masalas from Lahore, and also our tea and juices,” says Aman, adding that the footfall over the weekend is close to 800, while on weekdays 300 diners walk in.
Next on the cards is introduction of Afghani and Irani cuisine on the menu to give the place a more North-Western Frontier feel.’
Adding a splash of bright colour to the setting are two vehicles painted by Haider Ali, Pakistan’s most celebrated truck artist. A mini van and mini truck sport Pakistani truck art with motifs being Punjabi culture and Indo-Pak peace. Both vehicles are parked outside the restaurant and are hard to miss.
Ali, the greatest living exponent of this art form, has painted trucks at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, Luton Culture Museum in UK, in Ankara and Istanbul. He has also painted display panels for the interior of the Food Kitchen, based on folk themes and love legends of Punjab.
Ansa Zafar, Lahore’s leading designer has created furniture for Sarhad while Michu made the ceramic “jaali” panels with exquisite motifs of the Lahore fort and Indus valley civilization.
The design of Sarhad includes elements like floor patterns as seen in the Golden Temple in Amritsar and Dera Sahib Gurudwara in Lahore. The stairs are inspired by the Kinnarid College of Women in Lahore. The Sarhad logo has a dove with the word ‘peace’ inscribed in 25 languages.
A visitor’s experience begins even before one enters the Sarhad building which reflects the architectural heritage of Amritsar and Lahore. The exquisite craftsmanship in exposed brick work is reminiscent of some of the stately, old buildings of Amritsar and Lahore.
Sarhad uniqueness has not gone unnoticed. The restaurant has been picked as a mini project for Digital Marketing Strategy by students of Harvard University. As a part of their elective course, the Harvard Business School students are required to work with a Small Medium Enterprise to help it grow.