Posted on April 30, 2015

Mamagoto

The Buffet that is “Anti-Buffet”

By Shreya Chowdhury

Mamagoto, the pan-Asian restaurant chain has decided to break from the monotony of pre-cooked, non-customized buffets and has brought an innovation to the table, in the form of the “Anti-Buffet”, at their Gurgaon outlet, available from Friday to Sunday. In today’s world of packed and processed food, one has forgotten what it feels like to have freshly cooked food, prepared there and then in front of their eyes. As the name suggests, they are against the idea of a traditional buffet. Their buffet gives the customers the luxury of choosing what they want and how they want it, with their assortment of fresh vegetables and different kinds of meat.

The ambience of the place adds to the entire dining experience. Though the restaurant is small, it is lively. Their décor is as funky as their other outlets. The staff is very attentive and the service is good.

We begin the food journey with the oriental soup, which comes with chicken as well. It’s a good item to begin with, especially for those who love their greens. It is a wonderful concoction of broccoli, mushroom, pokchoi, with perfect seasoning. For starters, they have momos. The chicken momos are amazing! The chicken is well- cooked and smells heavenly. The veg momos are decent. The accompanying sauce is spicy and compliments the momos very well.

The Anti-Buffet has a live Robata grill. The chicken satay is slightly on the sweeter side, but goes well with the peanut sauce. The veg satay has broccoli, bell peppers and tofu. The combination works well together and has a very typically oriental taste. The java fish comes wrapped in a leaf, giving it an authentic look. It is well cooked and goes well with a dash of lemon.

For the main course, one is spoilt for choice. They have a variety of meat and vegetables and a number of sauces. One can let their imagination run wild and try different sorts of combinations, a luxury which only Mamagoto provides in a buffet. We tried the fish in chilli hoisin sauce. It is a wonderful spicy combination, which goes really well with their fried rice. For Thai lovers, the chicken in red curry sauce is a must-try! Creamy, with a subtle taste of coconut, it is delicious. The shrimp in schezwan sauce is a personal favorite. The spicy sauce and the shrimp together create a magical, flavourful mouthful. It tastes great with chilli garlic noodles as well as the fried rice.

The best part of the meal was the dessert. Their dessert menu is to die for! The coconut ice cream just melts in your mouth. It is creamy and coconut-y and not too sweet. It has the perfect balance of all the flavours, which makes it a great way to end the meal. Their Banoffee pie is another beauty. The layers of cream, banana and pie together form a lethal combination which just explodes flavour in the mouth. The caramel sponge cake is a plain cake which turns into a magical dish when you drizzle some of the caramel and coffee sauce, along with ice cream. Their homemade chocolate cake is heavenly. The moment it enters the mouth, you can feel the chocolate melt. The icing on the cake is divine! Mamagoto certainly knows how to end the show on a high note. All the desserts are stunners!

Anubhav Sapra

Anubhav Sapra is an avid foodie! He is a Founder but proudly calls himself a Foodie-in-chief at Delhi Food Walks. He is also a street-food and Indian regional cuisine connoisseur and loves to write about street-food.

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 26, 2015

TYPHOO

TYPHOO Introducing Environment-Friendly Tea Drinking

By Shreya Chowdhury

21^st April, 2015, Delhi learnt about drinking tea in an environment friendly manner. Typhoo, UK’s premium tea brand brought to India by ApeejaySurendra Group, bearing the prestigious Rainforest Alliance seal, launched a plethora of new products for the Indian Tea market.

The four Rainforest Alliance Certified Tea launched by Typhoo are 24 Carat Leaf Tea, Gold, Classic Assam and English Breakfast.The Gold is a lovely, golden- liquored, flavorful tea which can be relished anytime of the day. The English Breakfast is classic! Light and flavorful, it is perfect for breakfast. For health conscious tea lovers, their Decaf is a must-have. You can enjoy that beautiful cuppa without having to worry about the caffeine.

The Green Tea products of Typhoo are extremely interesting and a personal favorite. The most fascinating flavor is the coconut green tea. When you take the tea bag out of the pouch, the creamy coconut-y aroma fills the air around you, and when you take the first sip, it feels like you can almost taste the coconut, but it is light and refreshing, like all their other green teas. The masala green tea is also very nice and different. It smells exactly like the masala chai you get in any tea stall in India. So, you get the best of both worlds, the aroma of the masala chai and the health benefits from green tea. The traditional Tulsi, the Moroccan Mint, Lemongrass and Jasmine flavours of green tea and their Green Tea are all brilliant! Typhoo has a great range, catering to the tastes of all kinds of green tea lovers.

Typhoo also has a variety of flavoured tea bags. They have the quintessentially Indian Adrak Chai, Elaichi Chai and Masala Chai. Now all you need is a tea bag, some milk, sugar according to taste and you have the perfect cup of tea! They also have the Earl Grey and the Lime and Lemon tea, which are refreshing brews.

The most exciting teas are the caffeine- free fruit infusion flavours. The orange spicer is an absolute hit! It is a delicious concoction of orange, hibiscus, clove, cinnamon and ginger. The Blackcurrentbraser and the Lemon and Lime Zest are fruity and fresh and are best served as ice teas, perfect for the summers.

Typhoo has introduced a new kind of tea drinking in India. They have not only produced an assortment of teas, they also offer customers the environment-friendly choice, which may be small, but, is a crucial step towards sustainable development.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 24, 2015 April 27, 2015

Guppy by ai

KONNICHIWA JAPAN!

By Prakriti Bhat

Apart from its technological prowess, Japan is also famous for The Hanami Festival. This festival celebrates the ephemeral season of cherry blossoms. Guppy by ai recreates the magic of the Hanami Festival through its dishes by introducing a special menu that captures its essence. The name comes from ‘guppy’, a fish.

It all began with ai, which was a Japanese restaurant cum lounge in MGF Metropolitan Mall, Saket that was shut down due to certain reasons. Guppy by ai was launched in August 2013 in Lodhi Colony and has since received rave reviews. Guppy by ai runs under the patronage of AD Singh along with other restaurants within the Olive brand such as Olive Bar and Kitchen, SodaBottleOpenerWala and Olive Bistro.

The interiors are reminiscent of the original Ai with red hearts all across the walls. The place also seems to have been heavily influenced by the anime and manga culture which is quite evident from the walls and the few books that are kept on the window-sill. The Olive brand has a tradition of having a courtyard-like area in all its branches and Guppy by ai is no different. It has a separate patio which also acts as the smoking area.

I was greeted by Mr. Nishant Kr. Gaurav, the assistant manager who gave me a brief history of the place. Also, he was very patient with my incessant questions about each dish. Chef Saurav Sharan was kind and courteous as he introduced dishes from the special and the extensive regular menu. The kitchen is spearheaded by Chef Vikram Khatri who has won numerous awards for his culinary expertise.

Gari Punch is a mocktail made with mint, sugar, lime, ginger ale and the main ingredient, Gari which is the Japanese ginger. Gari is pink in colour and that is where the colour of the drink comes from, by muddling ginger in the muddler and shaking it with ice. Akane is a drink made with pomegranate, orange and mint. It has a very sharp, citrus flavor. I had asked for Miso soup, it being one of my favourite Japanese delicacies and it was made well with tofu.

Next came Edamame, a dish of steamed soyabeans tossed in sea salt. This was probably the only dish which I did not enjoy much. Tofu and water chestnut Motoyaki was very appetizing and reminded me of our Shahi Paneer in a peculiar way, even though both are quite different. It was baked well in an umami rich sauce. Assorted vegetable Tempura had an array of batter fried exotic vegetables like bell peppers, baby corn, potatoes, onions served with Dashi and spicy mayonnaise.

Next up was the much anticipated sushi- California Roll packed with crabmeat, cucumber and avocado. All the dishes were served with requisite sauces and dips. The California Roll came with wasabi and soy sauce. Prawn Gyoza and Exotic Mushroom Gyoza may look like innocent dumplings but are bigger, juicier and generous in their fillings. These were served with chilly Ponzu sauce, though one can eat them just like that to enjoy the taste of tiger prawns and the mushrooms and avocadoes.

In Salmon Nigiri, a small piece of salmon is placed on a tiny rice ball. One of the waiters flamed the salmon right in front of me. It looks so heavenly that one just can’t stop admiring the detailed designing on the rosy salmon. Salmon Tartare was a vibrant combination of avocadoes between two layers of salmon served on a carpet of cucumbers! The Chicken Udon Noodles were well spiced and had big chunks of chicken along with mushrooms. Among the desserts, I tried Apple and Prune Tart and Blueberry Crepes, both of which ended the meal perfectly.

Guppy by ai keeps the spirit of Hanami alive with its sakura inspired dishes. The detailing and hard work put into each dish is quite visible. However, everyone may not savour this cuisine because unlike Indian cuisine it is not laden with oil and spices and is comparatively quite bland. But for the rest, this is one place you must visit especially during the Hanami Festival to enjoy their special menu. The festival goes on till mid may.

What are you waiting for? Pick up those chopsticks and say sushi!

Address- 28, Main Market, Lodi Colony, New Delhi

Contact no. – 01124690005, 9650185005

Cost for two- Rs. 3000

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 20, 2015 June 7, 2015

Shiv Food Point

Amritsari Kulcha

By Anubhav Sapra

It is good to be connected with your old colleagues. Some of them are foodies and may also guide you to new places. I received a call from one of my ex-colleagues, Azad, few days back. He told me about Amritsari Kulcha Joint in Rani Bagh which was started by his colleague’s father. It was Baisakhi and I thought celebrating it with Amritsari kulcha would be a pretty great idea. I called him back for the directions and landed up in the afternoon to savour the Amritsari kulcha. This time, I took my mother along with me.

The name of this place is Shiv Food Point, and it has two outlets in Delhi. The addresses are – shop no.12, Shiv Mandir Market, Sant Nagar Road, Rani Bagh; contact numbers – 9891874446 and 9310199945, and shop no. G-1, Vardhman Crystal Plaza, LSC, CD Block, Pitampura; contact numbers – 9953399357 and 9953399367.

The place is owned by Rajesh Sharma who had a chemical business in Rani Bagh. Due to the government’s new pollution control policy, he had to close down his chemical business. Hailing from Amritsar and a food lover, he started Amritsari Kulcha Joint three and a half years back in Rani Bagh, and later renamed it to Shiv Food Point as it is close to Shiv Mandir in Rani Bagh. Although I am a regular at Kulcha King, Sarojini Nagar, the quest to find out the real Amritsari Kulcha never ends.

Rajesh ji described the making of Amritsari kulcha from the first step of kneading the dough to baking it in tandoor. The dough is made by kneading white flour with milk and ghee. Ajwain, jeera, dhaniya, kasuri methi, kali mirch are added to the dough, more so, in layers. Then the dough is cut with the help of a knife in small pieces, later stuffed with cauliflower or paneer. The same is flattened using both the hands. Ghee is applied to one side and later baked in the tandoor. The owner also explained how ghee makes the kulchas crispier inside and out. They offer a variety of stuffings – Amritsari aloo kulcha (Rs. 80 for 2 pieces); gobhi, aloo pyaaz, and aloo pyaz gobhi mix (Rs. 90 for 2 pieces), veg keema (Rs. 100 for 2 pieces), paneer (Rs. 110 for 2 pieces).

The kulchas are served with chana, spring onions submerged in tangy tamarind chutney, and raita. Chana are cooked without ghee, garlic, and tomatoes. However, even without these, chana had a nice flavour. The masalas used in kneading the dough for kulchas are used in cooking the chana as well. The same is cooked over low flame on the tandoor. The tandoor plays a pretty important role in retaining the flavours, I am sure. The tamarind chutney served with spring onions also had a nice tangy taste. Raita was cold and fresh.

All the kulchas were excellent in taste, and were slightly thick, yet crispy. They were laden with oodles of butter. I did not like the taste of butter, though. I am a big Amul fan. If you are a Amul fan too, do not forget to ask for it. I called my ex-colleague back to thank him for the wonderful recommendation. But, as I said, the quest never ends.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 18, 2015

The Potbelly Rooftop Café

TUMMY-LICIOUS

By Prakriti Bhat

Shahpur Jat is gaining recognition because of the numerous boutiques mushrooming in that area which spoil you for choice. Till a few years ago, it was not a well known place but these glamorous boutiques have definitely made it a popular shopping destination. It is common to spot people hopping from one outlet to another. It is close to Hauz Khas metro station. Amongst these clusters of boutiques lies a quaint little café atop a spiraling flight of stairs-The Potbelly Rooftop Café. It is not easy to find the place but a visit is worth the effort.

Pooja Sahu, the owner, used to work as a designer. Bored of her job, she decided to open a café which would bring the flavours of Bihar to the common Delhite’s plate. Therefore, she picked up her mother’s recipes and The Potbelly Rooftop Café was opened in Shapur Jaat four years ago. The place received a positive response from people. “We wanted to call it ‘Petoo’s’ originally but then settled for ‘Potbelly’. Our main focus is quality food. It was totally an experimental venture but the response has been amazing.” About 2 months ago, another branch in Chanakyapuri was opened owing to its grand success at the original branch.

The café is situated on the fourth floor for which you have to climb an arduous set of narrow stairs. The moment you reach the top floor, you will realize that all those stairs weren’t for nothing. The eclectic decor will sap away all that tiredness. The interiors are vibrant and homely. The makers seem to have put a lot of attention into even the smallest details. The chairs are a plain white decorated with different colours of cloth or strings. The lanterns are made with glasses which hold the bulbs and are decorated with colourful strings. The napkin holders are made of terracotta with simple designs painted on them. The walls are adorned by empty frames with beautiful and aesthetic designs. The ceiling is not a regular white washed wall but a bamboo-like structure which give the place a very rustic but charming appeal.

The place serves Bihari cuisine. The menu offers regional starters like Pakora Basket, Sabudana Basket, Baggia Basket, Keema Ghoogni Fry and Pothia Machli Fry. Main course offerings like Litti Chokha, Maithili Thali and Dehati Fish n Chips are popular here. Most of the dishes are served in terracotta bowls. Pakora Basket has an assortment of Pakoras with green chutney and tomato chutney. Baggia Basket is a very unique dish. These are rice flour pockets stuffed with spicy Chana Daal. The surface is a bit hard but not much. It can easily be cut using a spoon or fork. They are served with red and green chutney. This dish comes in two terracotta bowls joined by a handle. The presentation is excellent and has a rural touch to it.

Litti Chokha is probably the only Bihari dish most have us have heard of. The crust was scrumptious but the stuffing was a bit sticky. It is served along with Chana Daal, spicy mashed potato and mashed brinjals. Fish and chips of English origin are given a Bihari tadka with Dehati Fish n Chips. Also, don’t miss the Keema Aloo Chop. It is a combination of minced meat and potato cutlets served on a bun with chutneys and mouthwatering Sabudana Pakoras. The Golmirch Chicken is a meal in itself. The Chicken cooked in lip-smacking gravy is served with the good old Lachha Parathas. Their Mirch Masala lemonade is the perfect thirst quencher and the Oreo Shake is a super-hit with the customers. The staff is quite gracious and the prices are economical.

The Potbelly Rooftop Café stands apart due to its quirky theme. Delhi offers cuisines from all over India and the world. There are several Chinese, European, Mediterranean, Italian restaurants which open the window to global cookeries. Also, there are restaurants serving South Indian, Maharashtrian, Bengali, Rajasthani, Parsi, Punjabi and Gujarati food. However, very rarely do we find a place that serves kosher Bihari food and that too at a nominal rate. Our knowledge of Bihari cuisine is usually restricted to only Litti Chokha. Potbelly Rooftop Café has brought out this long forgotten cuisine to life by not falling prey to foreign influences and sticks only to Bihari food.

A Chinese or Italian restaurant can easily attract crowd because people are constantly looking for global cuisines to try in the city. There’s a famous saying, “ghar ki murgi daal barabar”. But to open a place like this and embrace our own culture is something that ought to be appreciated. More places like these should be established to whip out the lesser known traditional delicacies. Their branch in Chanakyapuri is probably more accessible than the one in Shahpur Jaat. However, those stairs at Shahpur Jaat are a great way to boost your appetite!

Location- 116 C, 4^th floor, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi,

Cost for 2- 800 (approx)

Contact no.- 01141612048, 9811122764

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 14, 2015

Pudding & Pie

A LITTLE BIT OF PUDDING AND LOADS OF PIE

By Shreya Chowdhury

Lurking around Malviya Nagar on a hungry afternoon, I stumbled upon Pudding & Pie. As the name suggests, it’s a haven for scrumptious desserts. Ratti Sharma, the owner of this quaint little shop started baking in 1997, when she would supply desserts and bread to other shops. About 5 years ago, she opened her own retail shop in C 60, Shivalik Road, Malviya Nagar.

A must-try here is the Arabian Honey Cake. With a generous helping of almonds and honey, it transports one to the stories of Arabian nights. It is soft and light, and not very sweet. The sweet honey smell just enhances the entire experience.

Another signature item is the German Chocolate Cake. It is a beautiful concoction of almond, walnuts, peanuts, butter and chocolate sauce. It is a treat for chocolate and nut lovers! It is dense and moist and very rich, but tastes heavenly.

A personal favourite is their Red Velvet Cake. Though the colour may be misleading, the taste is out of this world. The rich cake with the fresh cream in the mouth is pure ecstasy.

Pudding & Pie also has savory dishes. The mutton lasagna and spinach quiche are the most popular dishes. Their chilli cheese toast is also a good choice if one wants a light snack. It has a good balance of onion, chilli and spices and very good quality of bread. However, we expected a bit more cheese on the toast. Overall, it was a nice snack.

When one enters the shop, they are welcomed by the sweet smell of the baked goodies. The bright colours and the pretty lighting make it a charming place to spend evenings with friends over a cup of tea and cakes.

Ratti Sharma still takes orders. Her contact number is 9811021119.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 13, 2015 June 7, 2015

THE EMBASSY RESTAURANT

By Anubhav Sapra

I seem to have grown interest in posting my food updates even more so on Instagram recently, and I did so the night I went for the review at The Embassy Restaurant. It received more than a hundred likes in less than an hour thanks to the truly delectable royal food that it serves. Before I start describing how delicious the dinner was, I think it is important to throw some light on its history.

In 1947, India got its independence. A year later in 1948, two gentlemen, P.N. Malhotra and G.K. Ghai who arrived to Lutyen’s Delhi from Karachi, decided to set up one of the most iconic restaurants in the heart of the capital. It happened to become the city’s iconic gastronomic and intellectual hotspot. The royalty of this place, however, is still apparent.

I have witnessed people bonding over food here. People bonded over love, some in the sphere of business, and some in politics. This place even had regulars who put “9.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. Embassy Restaurant” on their visiting cards. And the legacy continues even today. The restaurant is currently managed and run by the third generation – Kumar Savar Malhotra. In August 2014, there was a disastrous fire that gutted the interiors of the restaurant. After a short break, the restaurant was back again with its flaring new interiors blending effortlessly into the existing architecture of Connaught Place.

I have been there many times before, usually during the mornings to try different dishes on the menu, especially the king-sized chana and vegetable samosa. I was present there for dinner this time. There is no doubt that the menu is quite extensive and I, therefore, asked the chef to suggest some of their signature dishes. On the table, were three of their non-vegetarian signature starters – roasted chicken, bharwa tangri, and chicken malai tikka. All of them were excellent in taste. The roasted chicken was first marinated in hung curd and aromatic spices, and was later roasted to perfection. The chicken was juicy and tender. Marination seemed to be just right and spices evenly spread. Bharwa tangri kebab was stuffed with minced chicken, cheese, onion, garlic, spices and coriander leaves, later roasted in tandoor. This kebab was completely flavourful and I literally went drooling over it!

Next in line were the embassy’s specialties from the main course section. I was accompanied by a vegetarian friend who commented that the dal makhani was extremely delicious. She accorded the same to its strong clove flavour and yes, the chef’s recipe as well. Achari paneer was another dish that makes this place truly different from others. This dish was nicely flavored, quite spicy but the use of kalonji seeds seems to have given it a slightly bitter taste.

Chicken masala, dal meat, tomato fish and chicken steak were some of the other signature dishes here at the Embassy. Unlike the red gravy in which chicken is usually cooked, the chicken masala, here, was cooked in a rich cream and almond sauce tempered just right with red chillies. This dish also had a slight sweet taste. However, I was quite disappointed to taste dal meat – lamb chunks cooked with lentils. This dish is basically a mix of boiled yellow lentils (moong dhuli) and mutton rogan josh. I found the lamb chunks to be quite dry and a bit chewy for me. However, the gravy was absolutely delectable.

Yet another iconic dish of this place is tomato fish – sole fillet topped with their own tomato concasse sauce. It is said that when Savar took over the reins of the restaurant, he tried twisting the tomato fish slightly by serving it with French fries. The reaction they received from their clients was that of total rejection. The loyalists were equivocal in their view and the restaurant then had to come back to its original version.

I rounded off my meal with the Embassy Pudding – soft, creamy, and with a surprise cashew element was simply a treat! Tooti Fruittee was another delicious mix of refreshing fruits and nuts. May the legacy of good food continue!

Address: 11-D Connaught Place, New Delhi
Timings: 10 AM to 11 PM
Seat covers: 84
Average Meal for Two: Rs. 1,200 plus taxes (Without Alcohol)
Contact: 011 2341 6434, +91 9311085132

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 12, 2015 April 14, 2015

Flavours of Thailand

By Priyali Prakash

With the ever increasing exposure to different cuisines from all over the world, Indians are experimenting with their choices even more and Thai cuisine has definitely stood out as one of the favourites. Keeping this in mind, Blooms Restaurant of Eros International, Nehru Place has come up with a Thai Food Festival.

With an exotic buffet of colourful vegetables and succulent meats laid out on a boat-shaped table decorated with antiques inspired by Thai way of living, Blooms has gone out of their way to invite Chef Mhee from Chiang Mai restaurant, Gurgaon to showcase an authenticity of flavours in the food being served during this festival.

While the Naam Takrai, the lemongrass cooler served as the welcome drink comes across as a little too sweet, the following appetisers specially Som Tam, raw papaya salad with a fish sauce dressing and dry shrimp, garlic, chilli, lime and palm sugar is a delicious start to the meal. The mince chicken salad with spring onions is quite minty in flavour.

The Po Pai Thod, vegetable spring rolls can easily pass off as our regular spring rolls whereas Koong Pun Ooy, prawns with sugarcane is a sure shot winner among the snacks. The dish does not have the peculiar smell that goes with maximum prawn dishes and tastes amazing at the same time, which makes it stand out from the other dishes.

The chicken and tofu Satay comes with a tangy cucumber salad and choice of peanut butter and sweet chilli sauce as side dips. Other starters include Thod Man Plan, fish cakes and Thod Man Khao Phod, corn cakes.

The mains include the Thai favourite, Phad thai noodles which have a sweetish tinge to them. Also served for the mains is steamed rice infused with fresh herbs. The Pla Nueng Ma Nao, lemon steamed fish is the best of the lot. Conventionally a street food in Thailand, this steamed fish comes with a tangy lemon sauce and chillies- simple yet full of flavours. The fish is soft and steamed to perfection. Phad Phak Ruam Mitr, the stir fried mixed vegetables are a good option for vegetarians, considering that there aren’t really many vegetarian options. The Phad Nam Prik Pow Kae, lamb stir with Thai chilli paste tastes a lot like our desi lamb chilli.

Goong Samun Prai, sweet and sour tamarind prawns with crispy thai herbs makes a refreshing dish. The curries are a little somewhat coconutty in flavour- both the Soya chop Penang curry and the mixed vegetables in yellow curry.

In desserts, Tub Tim Krob (Sweetened crispy water chestnuts in sweet coconut milk with crushed ice) and Klauy Buad Chee (Banana in warm sweet coconut milk) were amazing to end the food journey.

Word of Caution: Most of the dishes have a dominating taste and aroma of ginger and lemongrass. Make sure that you don’t have a problem with too much of these very strong flavours.

The festival is on till April 19th at Eros Hotel, Nehru Place

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 8, 2015

Best Kebab Joints in Delhi

11 Best Kebab Joints in Delhi and What to Eat at these Spots

Published in Little Black Book, Delhi

We’re big on food trails. We like to have you spoilt for choice. But, as North Indians, and Delhi residents, we’re all too aware of the popularity of the Kebab and the places that serve them. So, we did this. We asked the expert- Anubhav Sapra behind Delhi Food Walks. Here, they weigh in on their top 11 picks, and exactly what to order.

Qureshi Kebab Corner

Another hole in the wall establishment, they churn out the best Mutton, Chicken and Buff Seekh Kebabs in the business.

Where: Urdu Bazar, Jama Masjid

Contact: 9717326041

Karim’s

An iconic establishment, rumour has it the Jama Masjid outlet offers the best version if its fare. What we recommend? The mutton Seekh Kebabs. For a more comfortable, convenient and clean experience, try the Karim’s at India Islamic Centre.

Where: House no 16, Gali Kababian, Jama Masjid

Contact: 011 23269880

Majeed’s

Another Kakori hot spot, Majeed’s is a takeaway joint, so you can enjoy their succulent, perfectly spiced, cotton soft, pudina flavoured and the city famous Kakori kebabs in the comfort of your car and/or home.

Where: Shop 8 & 9, B 7, LSP, Vasant Kunj

Contact: 011 33105705

Bhaijaan Kebabs

This one only opens its doors at 4.30pm, so don’t try and make lunch plans. Affectionately named after the owner’s fathers’s nick name, no one does a mean Shaami Kebab quite like Bhaijaan does. By which we mean, the restaurant.

Where: Shop No 2202, Bazar Chitli Qabar near Jama Masjid

Contact: 9899145777, 9873425298

Kale Baba ke Kebabs

For the uninitiated, they’re popular for their Sutli Kebabs, kebabs so soft, they have to be held together with a twine of thread. You actually have to hold the thread tied over the kebab from one end, and it spreads on your plate, when unfolded. Sutli Kebabs are served on a green leaf, with radish and mint chutney.

Where: Sui Walana, Chitli Qabar, Bazar Matia Mahal, Jama Masjid

Captain’s Kebab

Most definitely a no-frills eatery, it won’t matter after one taste of the Galouti Kebab paired with their Ulte Tawe ke Parantha. They also home deliver, in case hygiene {and the sight of it} is TMTH.

Where: 3778, Autar Bhawan, Netaji Subhash Marg, Kalan Mahal, Darya Ganj

Contact: 09871595054

Ustad Moinudin Kebabs

For melt in your mouth, buff seekh kebabs, Ustad Moinuddin has magic in his hands, evident by his perfectly spiced, fatted, minced meat. These kebabs are served with onion rings, lemon and chutney.

Where: At the mouth of Gali Qasimjan, Lal Kuan, Ballimaran. This place is also famous by the name Sangam Biryani as Ustad Moinuddin’s son sells biryani in the day time.

Contact: 9891197023

Talib Kebab

Buff seekh kebabs and buff tikka served with onions and chutney. Their tikkas are truly delectable, soft and succulent small pieces, grilled on charcoal wood.

Where: Near the mosque in Zakir Nagar market.

Contact: 9891648787

Al Kakori Al Kauser

Evergreen for their Kakoris, their outdoor seating, and the many imported liquor stores around it, Al Kauser will make it to any and every Kebab list. Blame it on the consistent melt-in-your-mouth feature of the kebab, the perfect amount of spice, and the choice of it as a roll.

Where: 30, Vasant Place Market, Amar Shaheed Premnath Dogra Marg, Near Malai Mandir

Contact: 9810057786

Al Rashida’s

Tucked away in the by-lanes of Zakir Nagar, famous for its North Indian fare, you won’t know a Galauti until you’ve sampled theirs. Expect it to be a heavy meal, and we suggest a visit on an empty stomach. Don’t be scared by the amount of oil they use; try and look the other way, and just focus on how the kebab will melt in your mouth.

Where: Shop no 2, Main Road, Gali No 12, Zakir Nagar-Jamia Nagar

Contact: 011 66889062

Ghalib Kebab Corner

Equipped to seat but ten people, seems like they utilize all their resources in perfecting the Mutton Shammi Kebab. So much so, that they seem to sell out early in the evening. Also, bear with the staff if they seem hurried and/or rude; we suggest not to rile them up too much. You probably won’t have the time, those Shammi Kebabs are solid.

Where: Shop 57, Ghalib Road, Near Lal Mahal, Nizamuddin

Contact: 9810786479

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Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on April 3, 2015 April 3, 2015

TAMRA- At Shangri-La Eros

By Shreya Chowdhury

Copper has always been a very essential part of Indian history and has played a major role in the evolution of the culinary art in India. This inspiration is evident in their design which has incorporated the concept of Tamra is a rustic yet elegant manner. Tamra is a multi-cuisine restaurant (European, Indian, Japanese, Chinese and Thai) in Shangri-La Eros Hotel, Ashoka Road, New Delhi, catering to taste buds from all over the world. Ranging from Japanese Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar to a salad bar with a variety of bread, from the grill section to dahibhalla, from dim-sums to ‘Ghar-ka-khana’, Tamra has got it all.

The ambience at Tamra, the décor and the hospitable staff live up to the essence of “Atithi Devo Bhava” and yet they have a very global appeal. The most unique aspect of Tamra is the scope for customization, where the chefs are ready to cook according to one’s mood and taste. One gets exactly what they are craving for cooked exactly in the manner they want. Thus, bringing a high level of creativity to casual dining along, withan assortment of cuisines from all across the globe, under one roof.

Delhi is known for its extreme weather, and with summer just round the corner, refreshing juices and mocktails become a very important part of our meal. Their Big-Wave is an absolute favourite. Though it is a combination of guava, pomegranate, litchi and cranberry juice, the guava is the hero of the drink. The Mango Scream and Asian Lemonade are also quite refreshing, but the best is the Garden of Eden. The pomegranate juice with a dash of raspberry and blueberry puree, lime juice and gingerale is an amazing combination to beat the heat and is absolutely delicious. The beautiful Hawaiian- themed mask mugs in which they are served is fascinating!

The Sushi Bar at Tamra has a great variety. The vegetarian and non-vegetarian sections are separate, keeping in mind the sentiments of the vegetarians. The sushi is good, but the opinion may vary from person to person. The wasabi, however, is a little too strong. The ginger pickle served with the wasabi and sushi is quite nice. For salmon lovers, the nigiri is quite a delight, where the fish is nice and fresh. The California roll is great. With delicious crab meat and masago, which gives it a great texture, it is a very flavorful mouthful.

Tamra has a great Chinese section as well. Their dim-sums are great. The translucent covering of the dim-sums gives it an aesthetic appeal, inviting one to go and taste the beauty that lies beneath it. The chicken and celery dim-sums are brilliant! The carrot and the celery give it a wonderful texture and compliment the chicken very well. The baby corn dim-sums also taste great. They are both very light and make good starters to a meal. The noodles, the stir-fried vegetable and the vegetables in yellow curry are also nice and worth trying.

The Thai chicken croquetta with peanut sauce and French fries is a killer dish! The beautiful lemon grass flavor and a crunchy texture make it an amazing dish and is definitely something one must try at Tamra. Their shredded lamb in black bean sauce is a treat for the taste buds. The fish in Thai herbs and the chicken in massaman curry transports one to the restaurants in Thailand. The perfectly cooked jasmine rice compliments all these dishes very well.

As the name suggests, Tamra specializes in Indian food. Beginning with the vegetarian platter, the kebabs are soft and spicy and very tasty. The paneertikka is also a big hit, in which very good quality paneer is cooked very well. The dal makhni is one of their best dishes and is a must-try. Thick, rich and creamy, it is heaven on earth. The kumbhpalak, harabharapaneer, and poriyan (made of cabbage and coconut) are some nice dishes that go well with the masala roti. A very different kind of roti sprinkled and cooked with a variety of indian spices, is an absolute stunner! The kulcha at Tamra is also very good. If one likes rice, the onion corn rice is a very good choice. For the non-vegetarian lovers, the Chicken Chooza is a must-try! Extremely well-marinated, with the correct balance of spices and cooked to perfection, one cannot miss this beauty at Tamra! Other non-vegetarian dishes such as dum chicken, fish curry and roganjosh are also good and worth a try. Something that caught our eye in the menu was the dahi-lahson chutney. Interesting combination of curd and garlic, it has a unique and fresh taste and would have a cooling effect in the hot summer days.

Ending on a sweet note, the Tamra chocolate is a must-try for all the chocolate lovers. A signature Tamra dish, it has chocolate ice cream, dark chocolate disk and brownie with chocolate syrup. The sesame biscuits and bits of tooty fruity give it a nice crunch and flavor. The overall combination is lethal! Their Pinacolada deconstructed is also another favourite. The slightly sour Teppan-seared pineapple in contrast to the sweet coconut ice cream together forms a perfect mouthful, ending the meal on a perfect note.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com