It’s not every day that an invitation promises dinner, poetry and live music in equal measure. So when I received an invitation to one of Ikk Panjab’s Provenance Dinners, my curiosity was instantly piqued. The evening titled 1947: The Taste of What Remains was designed to celebrate Punjab’s shared culinary heritage through an immersive experience in which food, music, and stories came together around the table.
Set along Madhya Marg, one of Chandigarh’s liveliest stretches, Ikk Panjab opened its doors on April 10 last year. It is the passion project of Rajan and Deepika Sethi, founders of Bright Hospitality, with food writer Vernika Awal shaping its culinary and cultural narrative. Rooted in the flavours of undivided Punjab, the restaurant felt like an apt setting for an evening centred on memory, migration and the traditions that survived both. I had a fair idea of what to expect, but was curious to see how those threads would come together over dinner.
The Story Behind Ikk Panjab
I reached the restaurant with enough time to look around before dinner began. The moment I stepped inside, I found myself appreciating the thought and care that had gone into creating the space. Old trunks, brass utensils, lanterns, vintage family photographs and little heirlooms filled every corner, while teakwood doors and polished wooden furniture gave it the warmth of an old Punjabi home. The open-air Bageecha courtyard, dotted with cosy gazebos, was the kind of place where you could easily spend an entire evening over good food and conversation.
This immersive atmosphere is no accident; it is the deliberate design language of a restaurant built on a foundation of deeply personal memory. The layout serves as a living museum, mirroring the real-life ancestral roots of Rajan Sethi’s grandfather, whose family migrated from Rawalpindi and Chakwal (now in Pakistan) during the Partition.
That attention to detail carries through to the menu as well. Rather than sticking to the Punjabi dishes most of us already know, Ikk Panjab brings together flavours from places like Lahore, Jhang and Kotkapura, many of which are rarely seen on restaurant menus today. It was refreshing to see familiar classics sitting comfortably alongside lesser-known regional dishes, making the menu feel both nostalgic and full of discovery.
Every Course Told A Story
Dinner unfolded over five courses, but before every dish reached the table, a poem or musical performance set the mood. It slowed the pace of dinner in the nicest possible way and gave everyone a moment to settle into the story before taking the first bite.
The meal began with Amritsari Paneer Tikka and Lahori Sajji. The paneer had a lovely char while remaining soft inside, and the sajji was beautifully cooked, juicy, and delicately spiced.
The next course was easily the highlight of the evening for me. Black wheat paratha, khameeri roti, kadhi pakoda, aloo gobhi and desi chicken curry came together in what felt like the ultimate comfort meal. The black wheat paratha was crisp around the edges, flaky inside and packed with flavour. Pair it with the creamy, tangy kadhi pakoda, and it became my favourite combination of the night.
From there, the menu moved on to Bharwa Subzi and Kunna Gosht, followed by maah ki dal and butter chicken. The dal was rich, velvety and extremely comforting, while the butter chicken struck a lovely balance of smokiness, creaminess and spice. These weren’t dishes trying to surprise diners with modern twists. They stayed true to what they were, and that honesty worked in their favour.
Dessert was a simple pairing of shakkar ki roti and kheer. The crisp edges of the roti, lightly coated in sugar, worked beautifully with the silky kheer, making for a comforting finish to the meal.
Between the courses, Amy Singh’s spoken-word poetry, Simi Bedi’s soulful singing and folk performances by Des Raj Lachkani and his group gently carried the evening forward. Lachkani, who was born in pre-Partition Lahore, brought an added sense of authenticity to the experience.
The Bar Menu
The cocktails were just as thoughtfully put together as the food. Instead of an exhaustive bar menu, the evening featured a concise selection of signature drinks, including the fruity Mulberry Watch, the smoky Saddle & Smoke, The Station Master’s Gimlet, The Stiff Upper Sip and the refreshing Jamun Patrol. For those who preferred their spirits neat, there was also a premium selection of labels, including Chivas Regal 18 YO, The Glenlivet 18 YO and Monkey 47.
What Truly Remained…
There are plenty of places serving Punjabi food, but Ikk Panjab stands apart by going beyond the usual butter chicken-and-naan formula. The menu looks deeper into the culinary traditions of pre-independence Punjab, bringing lesser-known recipes to the table without losing sight of the classics we all love. The Provenance Dinner offered a glimpse into everything the restaurant does well, but the food easily stood on its own. I’ll happily return for another black wheat paratha, another bowl of maah ki dal, and perhaps to explore more of the menu beyond the special dinner. If you’re looking for Punjabi food that goes beyond the expected, Ikk Panjab deserves a place on your Chandigarh list.
The Information
Address: Ikk Panjab, S.C.O. 51, Madhya Marg, Sector 26, Chandigarh
Timings: Daily, 12 PM–3:30 PM and 6:30 PM–11:30 PM
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