Pind Punjabi

Authentic Punjabi Flavors Shine Brightly Here

A recent visit to Hayes brought me to Pind Punjabi, a warmly recommended spot promising a slice of Punjab’s rustic charm anchored right in the heart of London. Stepping inside, the painstaking attention to detail—down to mottled village murals and dizzyingly patterned textiles—sets the mood for what could very well be an evocative culinary journey. The frothy mango lassi tantalizingly whisked onto the table was almost enough to transport one to a different place altogether. Curiously, Pind Punjabi holds two faces: on some days teeming with the kind of warmth and service that sticks to the ribs comfortably just as much as their delectable Amritsari kulcha and daal are rumored to do, yet occasionally, startling opposition emerges like a burst of unwarranted hot chilies.

This dichotomy drapes itself around customer service as well—a fact that even spirited food can't always mask. While previous patrons have cherished the cheerful ambiance delivered as part of the bargain, others have found more dissatisfaction in the casual handling of orders—or consternation over mistakenly billed dishes. Yet somehow, despite these stout criticisms from locals and travelers alike, many routinely abandon rigid cries of culinary vengeance in favor of dining there again. It would appear that while not every visit might score with flying chutneys and flawless tandoori naans every time, persistence sometimes pays. A licking rich paneer makhni leaving you warmly satisfied sparks hope that one fine day, perhaps all of Pind Punjabi might perfectly meld winning service, substantial portions, and earnest honesty striking at the hungry heart. — Clarissa Cuisinier