by Karen Welch — Senior Content Producer
The headline? Not my clever work.
I stole the slogan from a new entry to Amarillo’s dining scene: It’s a Punjabi Affair.
The restaurant scheduled to open May 5 will bring the exotic flavors of India and Pakistan again to Amarillo.
Biri-yani, butter chicken and lamb de curry. Samosas and Mango Las-see– all sold from a building Amarilloans had grown slightly accustomed to as an Indian place.
The store at 4201 S. Bushland Blvd. had a short run as Amarillo Hut before it closed.
Then Mauli Sarkaria and her husband, Amanjit, bought the building and began pursuing their own aspirations.
It’s a Punjabi Affair has “been a dream forever. We are always in the kitchen. We live in the kitchen,” Mauli said.
Patrons can dine in or call in for take out, and Punjabi Affair will also cater.
Sarkaria describes the menu as Indian-style street food, prepared with quality ingredients, at a reasonable price.
“It’s a passion,” said Mauli, who, as the former sales director of the Hilton Garden Inn in Amarillo, was involved in catering many events, including Indian weddings.
Punjabi Affair will boast regular staples of Indian cuisine as well as dishes made from ingredients in season. The menu also will include vegan and vegetarian options.
A website – itsapunjabiaffair.com – is under construction. But the mouth-watering food photos already are on display. The business also has a Facebook page.
Hours will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 5 p.m., to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
* Karen Welch is senior content producer for Panhandle PBS. She can be reached at karen.welch@actx.edu, @KWelch806 on Twitter or https://www.facebook.com/KarenSmithWelch.
