March 2016 – Delhi Food Walks

Posted on March 29, 2016

kake Di Hatti

Kake di Hatti – Fatehpuri, Old Delhi

– Ayushi Mathur

New Delhi, is a time capsule. From the ruins of the Old Fort to the Presidential Palace on Raisina Hills, the city of Delhi has allowed time to impregnate it with its tales. In pursuit of my fascination with the garnish of history that makes Delhi so delectable, I decided to walk through the streets of Roshanpura, where my grandmother was brought up.

I came across unique stories of different traders in the area. One particular conversation revolved around the local food that has been popular in Old Delhi for a long time. Manish, a rather amicable man gave me a list of places I could find amazing food with a set of directions to find my way around. One place he seemed very excited about was Kake di Hatti, in Fatehpuri. Although I have been around Chandni Chowk few times, Fatehpuri was new to me.

Located next to the Fatehpuri Masjid on a rather busy street, Kake di Hatti welcomed me with the sight of preparation of gigantic naans at the front counter. It boasted of three halls to seat its patrons, both humbled by a large bustling crowd and superseded in grandeur by the aroma of fresh paranthas and curries.

As we entered, the manager showed us the way to the family hall on the first floor. Understanding my enthusiasm he even showed me the kitchen and the preparations that go on all day. Kake di Hatti is a pure vegetarian eatery and offers a variety of curries, stuffed naans, paranthas, biryanis and desserts. Our order was a simple Kadhai Paneer and Aloo-Pyaaz naan. The paneer curry was not very spicy and tasted much like what is expected at a typical north Indian joint. However, the naan stole the show. It was not only enormous, it also tasted incomparably scrumptious. It was slightly tangy and the right mix of crunchy and soft. The naan had the perfect balance of flavours . Better yet, the generic paneer seemed to only compliment the naan. Believe me when I say the naan was huge, it is enough for two people. My cousin and I managed to finish only half of it, getting the rest packed for later, going with the promising description by the waiter who mentioned that the naan would taste equally good and fresh even after 15 hours. And so it did.

Established in 1942, Kake di hattii now has 3 more branches around the city and by the claims of the manager, they uphold the quality. Honestly, the naan that I ate there was one of the best that I ever had and the popularity of this joint seems to prove that.

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 March 29, 2016 March 29, 2016

UNPLUGGED COURTYARD

By Prakriti Bhat

Connaught place has opened up many dining options for food lovers. From single cuisine restaurants and cafes to international brands and pubs, CP has it all. However, Unplugged Courtyard is one place that stands apart from the cluster of eateries in its vicinity. With a huge courtyard replete with a tree and comfortable canopies and table chair arrangement, the place promises an exquisite dining experience with a beautiful décor and an expansive menu.

The restaurant offers 3 kinds of seating arrangements. You could go for the dimly lit interiors that give off a party feel or the al fresco dining area, the courtyard. There is a huge tree surrounded by a parapet where you can sit and enjoy a leisurely chat with your friends. They also have a rooftop seating that opens after 6 p.m.

Unplugged Courtyard is a star when it comes to starters and drinks. They have a mind blowing range of innovative cocktails and a few of them also employ techniques of molecular gastronomy. Roji has a strong flavor of Gin and is served in a vessel traditionally used to store pickles. The drink is topped with crushed ice, litchi and Star aniseed. Ginger sour is basically Whisky Sour but shreds of Japanse Ginger-Gari are mixed with it to add a twist. The Giardino comes propped up in a lantern; vapours emanating from the bottom. Virgin Mojito was quite refreshing and served in a tall Jack and Daniels glass. Peanut butter and chocolate shake came in a goblet shaped glass and was lip smacking.

Ganna Chicken at Unplugged Courtyard — Ganna Chicken

Paneer Ka Ghosla was made with Chilli Paneer in the fried ‘ghosla’ an blanketed by a cheese slice. Spring Rolls were okayish; the exterior not being crunchy enough. Red Bull Sakahari Croquettes was absolutely scrumptious. These were basically cheese rolls, batter fried and served with a syringe that held a unique concoction of Red Bull and Mayonnaise.

Amongst Non-Veg starters, Amritsari Fish n chips and Dynamite prawns were my favourite. Usually, the fish in fish n chips is quite thick. But here the pieces of fish were quite sleek since that is how Amritsari fish is prepared. Dynamite Prawns came in a red box which read ‘Danger’. They were the perfect combo of soft and crunchy. Mutton Shish Kebabs were spherical kebabs made with minced meat and served with tiny papads and a curry. Ande Ka Funda was the craziest dish here! Artificial egg shells held a mixture of chicken, herbs and a gelatinous yolk-like substance (which I just couldn’t decode!)

Brai Grills at Unplugged Courtyard, CP — Brai Grills

For main course I went all Italian and ordered a Chicken Ravioli in White sauce. The dish did not meet my expectations as the Raviolli kept falling apart and the sauce could definitely have been better. Turkey Ham pizza lacked cheese and meat. For Dessert we tried Brownie Pakora with whipped cream which was completely out of the box and super delicious. But the anti grill lollies were the showstoppers. Chocolate, Kiwi abd Strawberry syrups are poured on an ice slab which maintains a temperature of -29 degrees Celsius with the help of liquid nitrogen. These are then stuck to plastics sticks on which they can be enjoyed.

Unplugged Courtyard is the perfect date spot with the canopies and the perfect place for catching up with your pals over a drink. The molecular gastronomy only makes it better. It is a blessed addition to Connaught Place!

Address- L- 23/7, Near Odeon Cinema, Connaught Place

Cost for two- Rs. 1600

Contact No.- 01133107701

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on March 19, 2016

NUMBER 8

By Prakriti Bhat

With new restaurants opening up almost every day, Delhi has become a gastronomic delight for all the foodies out there. The city has something to offer for every palate. Some provide affordable meals while there are places where one can just splurge and indulge themselves in an eclectic spread of cuisines. Chefs are willing to experiment with different cuisines and spices to come up with avant-garde combinations. In an upscale market like Sunder Nagar, Number 8 fits in like a glove with its aesthetic and exotic décor. Do not fall for the plain looking exterior as the interiors are gorgeous and bespeak luxury.

Spread over 3 floors, the restaurant wows you with its opulent ambience. Ornate chandeliers and rustic walls create a beautiful contrast. According to the co-owner, Mr. Shivam Bhaskar, they have also taken cues from Pinterest. The menu has some familiar and some not-so-familiar dishes, all prepared with excellence and presented with utmost finesse. Providing a sundry gourmet meal is high on their priority list. From risottos to biryanis, they have it all covered. The mystery behind the name ‘Number 8’ was solved by Mr. Shivam who attributed it to two reasons. Firstly, the address of the property itself is Number 8 which lends it the name. Secondly, 8 is considered to be an auspicious number as per Chinese tradition.

Our gourmet experience began with Vegetable money bags. These crispy fried dumplings were shaped like money bags and filled with steaming hot veggies. Olive Chicken is one of the most innovative dishes you could ever have. What comes on the platter are savory pieces of chicken grilled on toothpicks. But take one bite and you can decode the name of this dish. Each piece of chicken has an olive at its core. How they achieve this is beyond my comprehension! Sambal spiced Grilled Fish in banana leaves reminded one of the Parsi delicacy, Patra ni Machhi. It was cooked really well, exterminating the ‘seafood’ smell from the fish and served with pickled onion rings and raw mango shreds.

Amongst the main course we tried a Wild Mushroom and Red Wine Risotto which was a heavenly infusion of mascarpone cheese, mushrooms and wine. The final product retained the flavor of every ingredient used. Kesari Lamb Boti was basically well marinated chunks of lamb, cooked to perfection and served with green chutney. I found the kesari flavor inadequate. Dahi Dhaniya Murg was a chicken curry prepared with yoghurt and coriander but again I found the coriander flavor missing. This particular dish was disappointing. However, the Achari Aloo served with it went well with the curry.

The star of our meal was definitely Khatte Baingan Ki Biryani with Kamal Kakdi Raita. The Hyderabadi delicacy, Baghara Baingan (eggplants stuffed with spicy filling) was used to prepare this Biryani. Rather than serving it with the regular saalan or Raita, the chef goes on to add crispy chunks of lotus stem to yoghurt to make a raita. The Vanilla Meringue with fresh fruits was a befitting end to the meal. The impeccable presentation did not deter us from wiping off the glass clean. It was irresistible!

Number 8 is a restaurant that offers you the best of global and Indian cuisine under one roof. So if you want to pamper yourself with a stellar meal, do give this place a visit.

Address- 8, Sunder Nagar Market

Cost for two- Rs. 2000 approx

Contact No. – 01133105972

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on March 19, 2016 March 19, 2016

BOX OFFICE CAFÉ

By Prakriti Bhat

GTB Nagar is a haven for foodies. Every restaurant or café is economical, beautiful and unique in its own way. Box Office Café is the newest entrant amongst the bevy of food joints housed in the area. At a walking distance from the metro station and in the same lane as Big Yellow Door and Subway, it faces stiff competition from the extremely popular outlets in its vicinity. However, with a Bollywood theme and ‘hatke’ ambience, I am quite sure that Box Office Café is here to stay.

Sprawled across 2 floors, the café has funky interiors that will make you stop and look at each wall carefully. Popular film dialogues and celeb graffiti lend a filmy feel to the place. While one wall is totally dedicated to pouty portraits of Bollywood actresses, the selfie wall has popular celeb selfies hung on a rope with cloth pins. One could go for low floor seating or a proper table-chair affair. The second floor has a swing seat and a cozy little canopy/tent which needs to be booked in advance. It could be your perfect date spot, ensconced at one corner of the terrace.

The owner, Gaurav Mendiratta seems to have put his heart and soul into the café, taking care of each little detail. Chef Shailendra has curated one of the most unique menus. There are categories like ‘Main to Raste ja raha tha’ (for chaat), ‘Sunny Leone ke Hot Kebabs’ and ‘Dimsum urf Momos’. You are spoilt for choice and forced to ogle at the menu with greedy eyes and a hungry tummy. The chef volunteered to serve us dishes outside the menu as well. His passion for his job was quite evident with the eclectic dishes he brought to our table.

Amongst beverages I tried three mocktails and one shake. ‘Kiss in the Sand’ had a blend of orange juice and coke while ‘Safe Sex on the Beach’ had a fruity and tangy flavor. The Kitkat Shake was served in a bulb shaped container. In fact that was the sole reason for my ordering it! However, it wasn’t cold so the overall experience was dampened a bit. Guava Lava is another mocktail that you could give a try.

The meal began with a German potato chicken salad. The potatoes were mixed with shreds of chicken and sprinkled with parmesan cheese, parsley and powdered sugar. Some of the potatoes were a bit hard but the crunch gives a good overall effect. The next dish was Maggi Sandwich. Conventionally, a sandwich is prepared with some kind of filling between bread slices. This one was made entirely with Maggi. The noodles are shaped into tiny discs which are placed one above the other with a filling between them and a cheese slice on the top. Innovation at its best! Pan Grilled Cottage cheese with spaghetti in pesto sauce was another delicious ride. Two doughnut shaped thick slices of cottage cheese were grilled and served with the spaghetti. The corn nuggets here were freshly prepared and extremely cheesy. The frozen ones are very unlike the ones served here where the soft texture stood testimony to the freshness.

Box office café was one of those rare places where I couldn’t settle on a favourite dish. Chef Shailendra has a penchant for working on different permutations and combinations to whip up a novel set of dishes. To get the best of Bollywood and food, Box Office Café is definitely a must visit.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on March 19, 2016

STORM BAR AND GRILL

By Prakriti Bhat

Storm Bar and Grill has been around for quite a few years now. Being at a walking distance from the Kailash Colony metro station makes it quite accessible. A fine dining restaurant, Storm Bar and Grill recently launched its new summer menu. The new menu is fully equipped to tantalize your taste buds and make you drool. They recently hosted a Bloggers’ Meet where we got a chance to sample a few dishes from their menu.

The restaurant has quite an impressive décor. It is very spacious and every wall is decorated in a different manner. One wall has tiny platforms for keeping candles while the other is vibrant with a meticulous arrangement of colorful glass bottles. A beautiful bar counter and ornately designed bar stools are sure to grab your attention and lure you into a drink. You could choose plush and comfortable couches or the simple chairs to proceed to your meal.

You can begin by cooling off with their Pomegranate Mojito or an LIIT. We began our culinary ride with Ginger Chicken served with a dip. Strips of chicken are coated with ginger and deep fried till they become crispy and golden brown. The Mutton Peshawari Kebabs were well marinated and very succulent. Smoked Chicken Pizza was a thin crust Pizza topped with long and thin slices chicken, olives and cheese. The generous amount of cheese made me clap with joy. The Dahi Ke Kebabs here were definitely one of the better variants I’ve had of late. Teardrop shaped, the tip was decorated with hung curd and juicy pomegranate seeds.

The Mushroom Duplex was very bland and even the sauce that accompanied it could not save the dish. Kotmir Chicken Tikka was an absolutely brilliant blend of spices. Spicy and tangy, the flavours leave you overjoyed. Fish Orley consisted of grilled fish with Lemon Butter Sauce. The sauce was HEAVENLY! In fact, by the end, the poor fish was left to fend for itself as the sauce was wiped clean off the plate! The Kotmir Chicken Tikka and Fish Orley are a must try here.

Your main course here must include their Dal Makhani. Aptly named ‘Dal Storm’, it really does take you by a storm. Unlike many other restaurants, the texture is very creamy and the rich buttery taste is a blessing. Paneer Lababdar was good to go with a Tandoori Roti or a Butter Roti. Mutton Rogan josh tasted nothing like the Kashmiri Rogan josh but was delicious in its own way.

Among desserts, we tried the classic Brownie with Vanilla ice cream. But the Fried Ice cream was quite an ethereal experience for me. A scoop of Vanilla ice cream coated with cornflakes is deep fried until golden brown and coated with honey. The binary of hot and cold, smooth and crunchy works wonders for your palate. Again, this one is a must try.

If you’re looking for places to organize family gathering or a quiet lazy lunch, this is the place to be.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on March 19, 2016 March 19, 2016

RAJU BHAIYA KE RAJMA CHAWAL

By Prakriti Bhat

Student life means grueling lectures, all nighters, nearly empty pockets and a forever rumbling tummy. The lunch that you take along vanishes before the lunch break (courtesy like-minded hungry souls) and by the ned of the day, you become a hunger struck maniac. Looking for pocket friendly places becomes a your chief concern and you’re ready to gobble it all up.

It was on such a day that I stumbled upon a tiny cart parked outside Law Faculty that served Rajma Chawal and coffee. The man, Raju has been feeding the North Campus crowd for about 10-12 years. After enjoying a wholesome plate of Rajma Chawal and a cup of coffee, I proceeded to ask him how it all began and the story was quite interesting.

His father was a businessman in Rawalpindi and shifted to Saharanpur around 2-3 years before partition. His business suffered a setback there after which the family shifted to Maharashtra. Raju bhaiya was only 2 months old when they shifted, yet again, to Delhi. About 10-12 years ago, Raju Bhaiya started off by selling tea and coffee. He then graduated to selling Maggi too and was a quite a hit amongst the students. He says, “We had to stop the Maggi business because it took quite some time to be made. It was getting quite cumbersome.”

About 2-3 years ago, he strated selling Rajma Chawal. Around 12-12:30 p.m., you will always find a teeming crowd of students near his stall. Unlike other street vendors, he serves the food very gently and pours just the right amount Rajma; neither less nor too much so as to flood your plate. And the quantity is good enough for two people as well. The plump grains of rice and Rajma make quite an impressive heap on your plate.

The Rajma is not very greasy or spicy and therefore can be eaten with ease even by the health freaks. This simplicity of preparation reminds you of home cooked food as it will taste similar. Boxes of salt, chaat masala and pickles are kept aside if you want to add more flavor to your meal. And the best part is that a plate of Rajma Chawal costs only 80 bucks. An inexpensive and piping hot plate of Raju bhaiya’s Rajma Chawal is just what you need to refuel your body after college. They serve one of the best coffees you can ever find on Chhatra Marg. Each cup is sprinkled with cocoa powder; a tradition that is gradually vanishing in favour of coffee art at big restaurant and cafes.

Location- Outside Law faculty, Chhatra Marg

Cost for two- Rs. 80-90 (approx)

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on March 18, 2016 March 18, 2016

Gadre Seafood

Crabsticks – Gadre seafood

– Ayushi Mathur

Gadre premium seafood, one of the largest exporters of seafood in the country, recently organized an event for the launch of their new frozen product called Gadre Crabsticks. The event hosted over thirty food, travel and lifestyle bloggers and photographers. Held at Cafe Public Connection, Connaught Place, the event had an assortment of dishes prepared using crabsticks as the main ingredient. The various dishes prepared with crabsticks included cold coconut crabstick soup, crabstick spring rolls, crabstick salad and crab cakes. All the dishes were prepared with unique recipes by Chef Vikas Khanna, who endorses the brand and its range of products.

Gadre crabstick is a ready to eat frozen product which can be eaten right out of its packaging. As demonstrated at the event, it can be incorporated into different recipes, ranging from salads to drinks. The crabsticks taste like real crab meat however these are not made with crabs. Yes, Gadre uses a Japanese favourite called Surimi for the preparation of Crabsticks. Surimi is a fish product made by ground meat from the white fleshy fish and is widely used in Asian cuisine to imitate meat flavours like crab, lobster and other shellfish. There are various benefits of using surimi in the place of real crab meat, one of them being the low fat content in surimi. Surimi is also a cheaper alternative to real crab and lobster meat and thus becomes one of the highly consumed seafood in various communities and cuisines.

Gadre is the largest producer of surimi in the country and markets a variety of frozen products that serve as imitation meats, for instance crab claws, lobster bites and crabsticks. The crabsticks are light and easy to use. They have an authentic delicious crab flavour and are packed with protein. A 250 gram pack contains 16 sticks that have a shelf life of over a year. The crabsticks are precooked and can be eaten straight out of the pack or used in different recipes, including curries, snacks and salads. All this at just Rs. 150 for a pack sounds amazing!

Gadre is the first and only brand to introduce Surimi in India and by the looks of it; I believe this will bring a huge change in the seafood consumption patterns in the country.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on March 17, 2016 March 18, 2016

Cafe Dalal Street

Cafe Dalal Street – M Block Connaught Place

-Ayushi Mathur

In some respects, Cafe Dalal Street is the most exciting opening to hit Delhi this year. As the name suggests, the restaurant presents a unique way of serving drinks ranging from cocktails to smoothies. The price of each drink is based on a demand and supply model. The higher the demand of a drink, higher is the price and vice versa. With hundreds of cafes coming up each year, the sensex based pricing of drinks at Cafe Dalal street definitely ousts the monotony. It is not only the pricing that is different; the bar also has some unusual cocktails to offer. One of the drinks that caught my interest was The White Wine Zing Spritzer, a concoction of white wine, gin, peppers, jalapeno and strawberries. However outlandish it may sound, this drink is undeniably a treat for cocktail lovers like myself.

Not to worry foodies, this place has got your interests covered too. Cafe Dalal street head Chef, Mr. Hemant Kumar has crafted an enticing multi-cuisine menu that brings an extraordinary range of finger food to the table. The idea behind the food was to give the customers a fun menu to go with the drinks and my experience was definitely amusing. I started my culinary adventure with Butter chicken golgappas, which being an original creation combines the everyday street food with north Indian all time favourite butter chicken. The traditional potato stuffing is substituted with diced chicken chunks served with tangy butter chicken curry and this appetizer is simply ambrosial. I also had the chance to try wasabi prawns and jalapeno poppers. The jalapeno poppers are stuffed with an admixture of Cheddar and Gouda cheese along with jalapenos and olives. The poppers are served with sweet and spicy salsa containing honey which gives it a unique flavour. The wasabi prawns were the right balance of crispy and soft. Even though, it is always difficult to find fresh seafood in a non-coastal city like Delhi, the prawns served at the restaurant taste incredibly fresh.

The allure of this joint does not end with food and drinks. The staff is extremely amiable and alert to the needs of the customer. The ambience of the restaurant is very welcoming as well. The cafe is lit with dim orange-red light and the music is not very loud in the sitting area, working well for a perfect lunch or dinner conversation over drinks. If all this doesn’t excite you already, let me tell you that this is one of the few places in Connaught Place that also has a dance floor.

Cafe Dalal Street is a place that truly gives you the 100% feeling. The ambience is good, the food is great and the concept is exciting and so this joint will definitely be on top of my recommendation list to anybody looking for a fun experience in Delhi.

Location: M-89/90 M Block, outer circle, Connaught Place

Cost for two: INR 1000

What to look out for: The new limited summer menu that includes refreshing dishes with ingredients like mango.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on March 14, 2016 March 12, 2016

Annapurna Bhandar

Annapurna Bhandar – Chandni Chowk

– Ayushi Mathur

Bengal is known for its numerous ambrosial delicacies and when it comes to desserts, Bengalis surely make some of the finest. The well-known sweets from Bengal are easily available around the city but to indulge in the most authentic form of Bengali dessert, one has to travel to Chandni Chowk market. In the ever so crowded streets of the market, lies a small and peaceful shop, known for its delicious sweet treats, called Annapurna Bhandar.

In 1920 Late Mr. Mohinimohan Mukherjee moved to the city of Delhi as a railway employee but unfortunately ended up losing one of his legs in an accident in the following year. Unable to continue as a railway operator, he decided to open a small sweet shop in the city in the year of 1922 to cater to the small Bengali community that resided in the area. Within seven years it grew in popularity and the final version of the shop was ready in the main market. The shop, then, had similar interiors to that of a railway coach. However in order to keep up with the wear and tear, the interiors had to be changed to its present form. The shop, Annapurna Bhandar, today is owned by the third generation in Mr. Mukherjee’s family and still retains its former glory despite its modern design.

The shop offers a wide-ranging menu right from the traditional spongy Rasgullas to the lesser known yet exquisite desserts like Kadambari. As I entered the shop, seeming perplexed by the umpteen choices available, Mr. Mukherjee asked me if I was looking for an extra sweet dessert or one that wasn’t too sweet. I decided to go with lightly sweetened and was suggested to try Rasomadhuri and Mishti Doi. I have to agree, I was hearing the name Rasomadhuri for the very first time and this made me even more excited to try it. Rasomadhuri has a very lightly saccharine taste and feels granular while chewing. It leaves an aftertaste of fresh pistachio in the mouth. Mishti Doi is velvety and flavorsome. The sugar in both the desserts was well blended and did not taste like extra sweeteners had been added.

All the sweets in the shop are made with cow milk and prepared fresh every day. Even with the immense popularity of the shop, Mr. Mukherjee remains uncertain of the future as the following generations are not keen on maintaining the family business. Despite the uncertainties, I am sure Annapurna Bhandar will continue serving delectable sweets for years to come as it is not just any family business, it is a legacy.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on March 12, 2016 March 17, 2016

Poori Sabzi at Rewari Wale and Jindal Refreshment Corner

By Anubhav Sapra

Once upon a time, my friend, Ayush, and I met for a get together. Being great foodies, the discussion soon swung to the direction of food. Starting from Fateh ki Kachori in Civil Lines (that Ayush is quite fond of), we discussed food items with enthusiasm. Then slowly we moved to the quintessential breakfast dishes- poori and bhatura, whereupon he mentioned a poori shop in Shakti Nagar, that makes kofte, but only on Sundays. As the clouds gathered in the sky last Sunday, I gave him a call and in a few minutes, we were inside the shop savouring the pooris.

The name of the shop is Rewari Wale ki Poori Sabzi. Located in Shakti Nagar, it is quite accessible- if you are coming from Roop Nagar, take the first right turn towards Gurudwara Nanak Sahib. After taking the right turn, take the first left turn; keep walking straight and the shop Rewari Lal will be on the left side. The complete address is 24/27, Shakti Nagar, Delhi- 07 ( Mobile- 9999935023). A big cauldron of oil where Halwais are frying the pooris can be spotted easily.

The pooris at Rewari Wale, were simply made of maida. The sabzi was mix of chole, aloo and methi ki chutney. A spoon of dahi is added over it to mellow down the spices, giving it a tangy taste. Gopal Sweets in Kamla Nagar also do the same. What sets it apart from other poori sabzi walas of delhi are the aloo besan ke kofte. The small balls similar to the size of badi are made only on Sundays. Being a bit spicy, it served as the perfect combination with the poori.

The shop was started 50 years back, by Sees Ram Saini, and is presently managed by father-son, Dharam Singh Saini and Vikram Saini. The shop is open till 3 pm and a plate of poori sabzi is priced at Rs 40. Very close to poori sabzi shop, the Sainis own another shop, which is famous for its khoya burfi and gajar pak.

Ayush also introduced me to another popular breakfast joint- Jindal Refreshment Corner, on roshanara road. The shop is right opposite Kunji Lal Jagdish Prasad shop, and is famous for pure milk and lassi. The address is 8438, Roshanara Road, Delhi-07 (Mobile. 9953901089). Jindal refreshment corner is owned by Brajesh Jindal, Kunji Lal’s brother. Established 40 years ago, they specialize in bedmi poori and kachoris.

Unfortunately, by the time we reached Kunji Lal, the lassis were over. The small size bedmi poori is priced at Rs 20 a plate. I found the sabzi to be better than what we get in other places. The sabzi is, again, a mix of aloo, chole, methi ki chutney, kachalu, and kofta, which keeps changing everyday- palak, urad dal, mooli. The distinctive strong taste of heeng in the sabzi makes it simply delicious.

In the evening, they make samosas. Remembering the old days, Ayush recited the story of how he used to eat Jindal’s samosas on his way back home from school days, not in plates but straight from his hands. Long live his love for kachoris and samosas!

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com