July 20, 2016, 1250 hrs.
We have stopped at Chhatru for lunch, at Prem Dhaba to be precise. This is the quintessential roadside dhaba – it’s by the side of the road, almost a part of the road.
Chhatru is at an altitude of 3300 metres, and it’s on the route of different treks. We have already met two trek groups, one coming in from Hampta Pass.
But I am getting distracted. Prem Dhaba is special because it has simple fare, cooked local style and served with the customary Himachal big heart. Aloo-curry, rajma-chawal, kadhi, rotis, fried red chillies and lots of everything, topped off with chai. I kept nodding my head by way of conversation and devoured four helpings of rajma, one bowl of aloo subji, two helpings of kadhi and three servings of chawal – the food is that good to my taste.
Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee
Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee
Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee
Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee
Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee
Photo: Sanjay Mukherjee
