The last time we stepped into SCO 123 in Sector 17, it was a different place. It’s been almost five years since ‘Mr Burger’, the fast food joint, downed its shutters. Realising the city’s palates have evolved, the man behind Mehfil Hospitality Limited and former Union minister, politician Harmohan Dhawan moved on but all this while he harboured a dream to bounce back. And it’s been a king-size arrival with ‘Shehanshah’ the all-new fine dining restaurant, bar and banquet that formally opened doors this Thursday afternoon.

Hosting friends and family at the spacious Shehanshah that packs in a cover of 135 in its restaurant and as many as 400 in a banquet housed on the first floor, Dhawan spoke fondly of his new place. “The theme, the selection of food, the presentation is all my doing,” he says as we notice the Mughal-inspired ambience with blue as a highlight. “It’s turquoise,” Dhawan corrects with a smile. With huge bay windows, bronze columns and endless marble floors, it’s a royal look alright! But what’s the menu looking like? “The tastes of people in the city have changed. They like to experiment with not just Indian but multiple cuisines. It’s all so cosmopolitan,” answers the owner who brings in a plump lineup of not just Indian but Continental, Chinese and some Mexican fare. “Today, the city’s eating out populace is made up of so many sections. Joint families to working couples to young college goers and everyone gets priority at Shehanshah,” Dhawan reiterates.