The New Millennium inspired Balbir to adopt a new approach to Indian dining – ‘Healthy Eating’,
with Route 77 as the ‘pilot’ restaurant. 

Not sure how customers would react to a restaurant where Madras, Vindaloo and even Poppadoms
& Spiced Onions were ‘outlawed’, Balbir decided to convince people verbally himself and to operate for a short period without a menu.

This new approach proved a huge hit with the customers who started travelling regularly from as far away as Edinburgh to get their tailor made healthy meals.

Slowly, the ‘no menu’ approach was brought to the radar of food critics, not sure whether it was a gimmick or legitimate they came and were genuinely bowled over, with reviews such as ‘ In a world
of its own - Balbir’s offers a master class in Indian cuisine head and shoulders above the rest (Scotland on Sunday) to ‘the best curry ever’ (Daily Express).

For the next five years Balbir’s in Ayrshire continued to operate without a menu (the Banquet meal) and even today in its 10th year in trading the menu is seldom requested.