Food Talk

I’ve had quite a few occasions to celebrate recently – I guess that’s natural when your family suddenly doubles. So currently, I have been looking at a few places in Delhi that would bail me out of a house party. May I add here, that I am pleasantly surprised with the increased options that the City has to offer since the time when I just returned from studying in Bombay. Gone are the days, when a meal at only a 5 star would mean a decent outing. Also gone are the days, where outside of the 5 stars, one had the limited, yet evergreen choices of Moti Mahal, Chor Bizzarre, Nirulas, Much later entrant PBN and the like. One factor that has possibly really improved the Food & Beverage scene in Delhi is the opening of malls, which made their debut in Gurgaon and only later hit Delhi. But, its better late than never.

Just thought I’d share some of the nicer places I have visited in the last couple of years. Some of these may be not the newest but are still nice to visit:

For the Indian food lovers, there is Veda by Rohit Bal. And the nicer part is that you no longer need to go to shady Connaught Place for the meal. There is an outlet that’s now opened at the DLF Promenade at Vasant Kunj. The interiors are quite pretty, but am not certain that they would match everyone’s tastes. While they are open for lunch and Dinner, it certainly is a dinner place. Also, avoid going there with very old people – and if you do, take up the task of ordering for them as its only a few candles and not very bright lighting that makes the place quite romantic. There is also Punjab Grill - It’s a venture by Jiggs Kalra, the food columnist and culinary writer. I will be visiting it soon, but it sure combines traditional Punjabi food with a hint of fusion (in some of their menu items) in quite a pleasantly contemporary setting. They have an outlet each at the Select City Walk Mall, Saket and the Ambience Mall, Gurgaon. My vote would go to the one in Delhi – as their terrace is quite pretty. Ambience Mall, however is quite the hub for Indian food with Nawab Ganj Safari and Sahib Sindh Sultan being th other options. Zest is the venture of the DLF group into hospitality. Located at the top floor of the DLF Emporio Mall in Vasant Kunj, it is the place to be currently. Serving seven cuisines, including Indian, a meal here is possibly the only thing can afford in the Mall. Getting a table there is tough even on weekdays, and they don’t take reservations beyond 8:30. They have a lounge-bar where you can wait for your table and sip a drink or two. The best place if you’d like to throw a party though, is the Terrace – just make sure you hit the right weather. What could improve at the Restaurant however, is its service. The Staff is not very well trained in F&B operations. From not knowing the menu well enough to undesirable attitude, interacting with the Restaurant Staff could possibly be the only dampener to an otherwise enjoyable evening.

The newest kid on the block of Oriental restaurants is Taman Gang. It’s at the DLF Promenade in Vasant Kunj and if I may add, ridiculously over priced (even though the vegetarian food we had was quite nice). However close by is Kylin at Basant Lok Complex, Vasant Vihar. Situated over three floors, the food is quite appetizing. Though I went there with my grand parents, amongst others, it’s more a place for the not so old. Yum Yum tree in New Friends Colony is the other place to try. The food here was excellent, the ambience chic and pleasant and the price very reasonable. Mainland China also has an outlet in Delhi at Masjid Moth. While it is a nice place and the food is good too, but the wait for the table can be quite a put off. Their other outlet in Gurgaon however seems like a better option if you don’t mind going a little outside of Delhi. Also in Gurgaon is Monk at the Galaxy Mall. Inspite of the tremendously positive feedback, it was a sheer let down. Very positively on my black list of restaurants. Something which is a mystery to me currently on the Oriental scene is Indochine. I had been there last year and had really loved the place. But too my surprise, when I went looking for it last week, it had been shut down. But I do know, that’s it moved to somewhere as I have an invite to a cocktail party there in the near future. Would be happy if someone can be help me resolve this one out.

For the more western world food, my personal old time favourites for Italian food have been Sartoria (Vasant Vihar) and Azzurro (Saket). Italics in Vasant Vihar and Tonino on MG Road are also good. New on the scene however are Magique (within garden of five senses) and Smoke House Deli at DLF Promenade. While MAgique is more rustic looking, the latter is quite chic and modern. The open air spaces in both these restaurants are the best part. In fact, at Smoke House Deli, if you manage a table outside on a weekend, you can also enjoy the very huge screen and a colourful musical fountain. Opposite Smoke house is also Mocha Art House – Am guessing owned by the same Mocha People, it seemed like a nice place for coffee. Though, the coffee, inspite of being in huge quantities is also good at Smoke House. Between the two outlets of Smoke House at Masjid Moth and Vasant Kunj, my vote would go to the latter. The most recent visit however was to Cibo at Hotel Janpath. And it was undoubtedly a very very pleasant surprise. The food is excellent and the setting quite romantic. It is a little on the expensive side, but you don't mind it all that much since the experience the restaurant offers is rather enjoyable. Continuing with Western/fusion food, there is also Tabula Rasa. This place, atleast when it opened seemed like a hot spot for the Richie Rich. I happened only to go there once, and that too when I was not paying the bill, so I cannot complain. But overall, a nice place. Close by is also Manre, with its claim to fame being the Michelin Star rating and ownership by Ramola Bachchan (Big B’s erstwhile sister in law). I am still to go there, so no reviews on it yet. Another concept that recently hit Delhi was the Italian Buffet at Frescos at Ambience Mall. Very reasonable, the place is quite a hit for someone who does not want to eat at the food court, wants a feel of good western food in a nicely done up restaurant combined with a visit to the Mall.

While I will be doing repeat visits to my latest discoveries above, am always looking for nicer places to go to. As and when, I will write more…