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Ranganathan

Delhi’s very own MADRAS CAFE

Five years ago a man named Ranganathan, arrived at New Delhi Railway station from Chennai holding his ten year old son’s hand and with dreams in his eyes. He wanted to start a small food joint in the capital to earn his livelihood.

With whatever savings he had and his culinary art of making delicious South Indian delicacies-dosa, idli and vadas he started his venture near GTB metro station as his main aim was to attract the college students who throng in and around North Campus. Assisted by little son, Ranga as he is fondly called he would get up early in the morning and start his preparation work. Around 12.30 pm, he would reach his venue with his paraphernalia and after the initial preparation like setting up of things like the dosa tava utensils, he would start doling out delicious dosas.

The aroma of fresh dosas being prepared, attracted a few passersby in the beginning and gradually through word of mouth Ranga’s business picked up. Today the small food joint is famous as “PURE MADRASI DOSA” stall. If anyone’s read “The Martyr’s Corner” Ranga’s story will remind you of the same. The must haves of this famous joint are the “Masala Dosas topped with cottage cheese”, the soft succulent vadas served with sambhar, coconut and gun-powder chutney. People from all walks of life throng the food joint and go back satisfied having tasted authentic South Indian delicacies at reasonable prices which suits every pocket.

This is the story of a man who has made big in a city like Delhi.His magical smile adds to the final touch to the whole experience and you come back again and again asking for more and more and more……

Foodie Correspondent-Surabhi Baksi

The location of the stall-near GTB METRO STATION
CONTACT NO-9044017319

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.
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The Golden Fiesta

 

The Golden Fiesta

By Tanya Kapoor

I visited Golden Fiesta  on the recommendation of a friend whose opinion I’m slightly skeptical about! I wasn’t expecting much from a restaurant located in  the overly crowded lajpat nagar market.  Golden Fiesta  is located on a narrow road facing the Tagore public school  with no inside parking facility. However  it’s a welcome oasis for scores of hungry and thirsty shoppers who visit the market each day. Be warned though – the place  has just 3 stand-up tables where patrons and other shoppers jostle for elbow room. The food is hygienic enough but a lot of people may not like the squalid surroundings.

Golden FiestaGolden Fiesta offers an interesting menu. It is  a good option for a refreshing Orange Crush on that hot, summer day. Of course, you could choose from the multitude of pastries, sandwiches, pizzas, burgers,  Chilli Chicken and  hot dogs. As for the food, it is tasteful and abundant. Being a  die-hard cheese lover I ordered  a grilled chicken sandwich  and a pan chicken pizza here and I must say the sandwich  was quite a mouthful! Stuffed generously with juicy and flavourful chicken, mayo, veggies and grilled to melting yumminess, it was quite a heavy duty snack that left  me full for the rest of the day! The pizza was really well executed: the crust was very nice (thin, and not overcooked) and the filling was great, with some very good toppings, the only weak point in my opinion was the tomato sauce which could be a bit more tasty.With the exception of the cold coffee  I ordered, which was slow to arrive  everything else was delivered promptly. The selection of desserts is big, and I recommend the tarts and the chocolate pastry. We lingered after devouring most of the food, yet he didn’t hurry us out. I am looking forward to returning to sample more of the dishes that the restaurant has to offer.

Goldenfiesta

Not only was the food impeccably delectable and the portion size extremely filling, but also surprisingly pocket friendly. Golden Fiesta should most definitely make it to your list of on-the-go places to eat!

 

 

 

 

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.
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I Say Why Not Chinese?

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I Say Why Not Chinese?

A little of boiling, a sprinkle of oriental spices and a taste that takes you by the green trail to the Great ‘est’ Wall. Chinese is more than this, especially when it comes straight from the tandoor!

Placed in Jawahar Nagar, Y Not Chinese or more familiarly called the “YNC” is the trendiest joint for youngsters. Set with tables and two to eight chairs around them, YNC is surely a place to bond.  Have you ever had the fascinating experience of a place that is dark but still there is ample of light?  YNC makes you feel so.

WP_000090On a personal note, when I first went through this glorious name of “tandoori momo”; I was a little sceptic. Out of some sort of curiosity, I ordered the same dish praying for my money to not go wasted. But when the dish finally arrived one word could explain my reaction: Amazed. The momos were the golden red of the tandoor that came with agreen pudine ki chutney. Take a bite please, and a blast of pleasure that tickles your mind, to a happy trance but the grand tandoori flavour brings you to the clay ovens of the lands of heritage.

Or just order regular momos, and the steaming hot delicacy that come with a red sauce takes you on an amazing journey through tastes of pure excellence and sweeps you off your feet.

Fusions that will surely make you crave for more. Do try this place.

Another personal note, I like its crockery.

Sukanya Sharma,Foodie Correspondent

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.
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Ane China

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ANE China

By Ramneek Chawla

If Chinese cuisine is what you like and you’d like to have it multiple times a week, but are afraid to shed out huge amount of money the restaurants charge, then my friend you’ve come to the right place.

Ane China is the place for you. Where else would you be able to get Half-plate veg. chowmein (which actually is a plate full) at just Rs. 40. Well I say, ‘at Ane China’.

It is a tiny-miny open counter shop which serves you your order at the quickest of time and with a tinge “Flattering salesmanship”.

Think of whatever Chinese food you know, this place would have it. From Chowmein to fried rice, soups to garlic chicken, chopsuey to momos, you name it and they’ll present it you in no time.

They’ve been the favourites of the localiites since their inception which means since almost 10-12 years. Even the owner has lost count of the number of years he has been in this business (Profound). The quality as against the apprehensions is quite unmatchable. Located at a very hush-hush place, just outside the DDA market of Rohini, without much of the traffic cluttered roads, this place surely is the place for those sorts who love to eat in calm surroundings without wasting money at a high-end eating joint.

At the look of it, you may consider it as yet another Chinese food van but it actually is not. You won’t know the difference until you visit. And make sure you converse with the cook coz his stories would make you laugh your heart out. He tells his life stories in such quirky way which makes you enjoy his dish even more.

Well basically, you may order anything you like, but do taste its Mix Chicken Manchow and Paneer choupsey (Finger licking guaranteed). If you visit Rohini DC chowk and you miss out on this place, then come again (:P), this place will always be open….

 

Address- DDA Market, Sector 13, Rohini, Delhi-85

Timings- 10AM to 11 PM

Ph. No- 9953642184

Free Home Delivery available

 

 

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.
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Anna Cafe

Anna Cafe

Anna’s Cafe

Who knew that a tiny stall called Anna’s Cafe has been parked outside NIFT for 16 years? For 16 years Anna has been selling lip-smacking South India food at the most affordable prices ever. He has been saving us one hunger pang at a time.

For all the vegetarians this is a must try place and for all the ‘Tuesday’ believers like me this can be your ‘go to place’.

My personal favourite is The Vadas. No other place can balance the exterior crispiness and the inner softness of a Vada like Anna. I know it’s hard to believe considering it’s a small time ‘thela’ but that is the exciting aspect as well.

Unlike other dhabas or thelas, Anna doesn’t serve in recyclable plates (well you can ask for one if you want). Instead he serves the Vadas and the idlis in a bowl with a ‘topping’ of sambar and coconut chutney. The dosas are made right in front of you and served hot so that you can dive right in.

Although there isn’t much variety at Anna’s Cafe, there will always be one dish which shall become your personal favourite. To top it all you get to experience this for just Rs.30. Like I said he is a superhero.

If you want to be a part of this 16 year old legacy, head on over to NIFT near Hauz Khas market and Green Park Metro Station. Hope to see you folks soon!

Pramiti Sapru

Foodie Correspondent

P.S- You can always ask for extra coconut chutney. Anna never says no 😀

 

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.
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Depaul’s

Depauls

DEPAUL’S  COFFEE  AT  JANPATH

-by Shailaja Das

 

A trip to the Janpath market is incomplete without a stop at the famous Depaul’s for a bottle of cold coffee. Shopping at Janpath for cheap good quality products is an exhilarating but exhausting experience. It leaves you dehydrated and famished. But don’t you worry, Depaul’s is right there to your rescue. The outer part of the shop serves snacks and cold coffee while the inside of it caters to your hot cofee (which is as good as the cold coffee, if not better) and cosmetics needs

Depaul’s was established in the early 50s and is probably one of the oldest shops in the area. Over the years it has carved out for itself a niche in the hearts of those who have an eye for specialties. It often hosts reminiscent old timers who are either just stopping by or have brought their children, and even grandchildren, to taste the best cold coffee in the entire city. It’s not just the taste that is unique, it’s also the way it’s served to you. Depaul’s serves you the cold coffee in cute 200 ml bottles with a straw which give an entirely different feel to the whole experience.

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Their most popular cold coffee flavour is the hazelnut and is priced at a modest price of forty rupees for a bottle. In fact, their USP is “accessibility” – all their cold coffees and snacks are priced between 30-45 rupees. The complete menu has various items like burgers, sandwiches, rolls, salads and momos, besides few delicious flavours of cold coffee of course. A must try is the newly introduced grilled sandwich. Couple it with any cold coffee of your choice and make yourself a very economic and scrumptious meal. Enjoy your post shopping lunch!

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.
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Ever heard of a Gajar Parantha?

Ever heard of a Gajar Parantha?

By Kashish Badar

Paranthewaligali

It’s a rare site to see a woman managing a restaurant in Old Delhi, but I was lucky enough to witness it myself. Owning one of the most famous shops in Paranthe Wali Gali, Mrs. Sakun Sharma is a middle aged woman handling Babu Ram Devi Dayal Paranthe Wale.

Set amidst the hustling and bustling locality of Chandni Chowk, Paranthe Wali Gali, as the name suggests, is a hub for parantha (Indian flatbread) lovers. There are almost ten shops in the street which specialise in different types of paranthas. Out of these shops, almost half are owned by Mrs. Sharma’s extended family’s members. Not all of these shops serve paranthas though; one of them is a sweets shop having khurchan,lassi (churned curd) and other sweets on their menu.

The shop was established in 1889 according to the board outside, but Mrs. Sharma claims that it is much older than that. The shop belongs to her in-laws and she is the sixth generation handling this work. She feels proud to tell me that!

I had gone there with family, so we ordered a variety of paranthas ranging from the plain parantha to the mixed vegetable parantha.  The shop has a large variety to offer. Banana parantha, lemon parantha, parat parantha, bhindi parantha, kaju parantha,karela parantha and so much more. You just have to name it and they have it. We ordered a paneer parantha and badaam parantha to start with. While two men prepared them for us, one boy served us thalis each. The thali had aloo subzi, sitaphal subzi, aloo matar, pickle and saunth in it. The saunth had slices of banana floating in it. We were served the paranthas a little later. Let me tell you a very interesting thing about these flatbreads. Unlike the usual paranthas which are pan fried on a tava, these paranthas are deep fried in a pan of hot ghee/ oil.

We were served the badaam parantha first which had a filling of chopped almonds, salt and red chilli flakes. It tasted fine with the sweet saunth. But the different elements in the parantha could have blended together better. After the badaam parantha, we had the parat parantha (layered parantha). It had thin layers of wheat inside which could be separated easily. This looked interesting to me. Though it did not have any stuffing, but it tasted well with the rabri that we had ordered. We also had a mixed vegetable parantha. It had chopped cauliflower, chillies, potato and a few other vegetables in the stuffing. Our paneer parantha and plain parantha were served soon. These paranthas tasted well with the aloo subzi (dry) and the pickle. There’s one more thing that always manages to add flavour to the north Indian cuisine and that is lassi.  We north Indians just love this combination of paranthas and lassi.

Aloo parantha was last on our plate and I liked it second to the paneer parantha. The other paranthas had too much salt in them. Though the paranthas were golden brown and crisp but the stuffing in most of them was not up to my expectations. The subzis provided along the paranthas were fine but nothing exceptional, but I really liked the paneer parantha and parat parantha with the rabri. I would certainly recommend you to try it.

I would rate the badaam parantha 5/10, the paneer parantha 7/10, aloo parantha 7/10 and the mixed vegetable parantha would only get 4/10 due to the salt.

The paranthas  cost between Rs. 30- Rs. 60. So it is not an expensive deal. You can try out the other stuffings and probably ask the man who prepares them to add salt according to your taste.

A meal for two can be had within Rs. 200 – Rs. 300 very easily. Mrs. Sakun Sharma also told me that all her paranthas are equally popular.

From my personal experience, I would say that Paranthe Wali Gali  is slightly over rated. The variety they offer is the only attractive factor, but the taste and quality can certainly be made better. I think they can expand the variety by introducing non vegetarian paranthas. This will be a great addition on their menu.

With all the popularity and fame that Paranthe Wali Gali enjoys, it is worth a visit for all those who don’t hesitate in experimenting with their food.

And yes! Don’t dare to ask the recipe of your favourite parantha from Mrs.Sakun Sharma because she is quite secretive about it. She will look at you and say “Kuch cheezein bataane ke liye nahi hoti!”

Photo Credit- Piyush Nagpal

 

 

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.
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Bombay ‘ishtyle’ Chaat

Bhelpuri

Bombay ‘ishtyle’ Chaat

By Navani Satija, Delhi food walks

SO, now if I go around asking most of my fellow DU-ites about where do they head for a daily ‘let’s-have-a-snack’ break? It is most obvious that that I’d be greeted with peevish faces (primarily because of their slog routine!). But, when it comes to the all girls’ college with the most gorgeous crowd across DU, all the cheerless faces disappear. And here’s where the most loved BOMBAY BHEL PURI right outside Lady Shri Ram College For Women comes into the picture.

On being told that something would be published about his daily job, its back bone, the proud owner Shri Yaad Ram instantly said he’s been running this food point (portable that too!) from 11.00 am- 5.00 pm every day for the past 25 years and is still going strong. That’s not just it; this irresistible range of chaats can also be savoured at Central Market, Lajpat Nagar after 6.00 pm every day.

Unlike other chaat walas, Yaad Ram Ji has kept his menu short and sweet (rather tangy) limiting it to only three dishes that he offers. Undoubtedly, all three are ‘must haves’. Starting with the first one, his speciality among the three and most popular among the Elsa crowd is the BOMBAY BHEL PURI. It is an extreme blend of chutneys along with generous use of onion and coriander which make it look and taste like a Bhel puri in actuality.

Next is the Elsa crowd’s second most favourite; the SEV PURI. This too is a sweet-savoury combo with lots of onion & sev (which is the prime characteristic of Sev puri). And the last but not the least, is the Jhal moori. Less popular among the Elsa chaat aficionados but never the less, it’s definitely worth a try. It’s a dry combo of puffed rice, peanuts, etc. as against the other two items. Here, Yaad ram ji adds that the “2 teaspoons of touch of oil enhances its flavour, but, the health conscious LSR girls avoid it.”

Very reasonably priced at Rs. 20 per item, it will make you forget the lavish gourmet, you spend your bucks on. So, take out time from your slog schedule and head for a “let’s-have-a-snack” break to jerk your taste buds.

Cheers! Happy eating!

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.
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All American Dinner

All American Diner

Eat Ito eat all the night and the day, and groove to Elvis Presley!

-By Ayushi Teotia

Back in the days when Lindsay Lohan or Hilary Duff ruled the teenage cinematic audience with peppy and perfect performances in their respective movies, showing specific relevance to the upbeat culture of Diners and their meager incomes from the same, as they slid past, table to table, taking orders and serving food. Yes, All American Diner will surely remind you of scenes from such movies, or instill a feeling of being in a typical diner, if nothing else. Located within the resplendent surroundings of The Indian Habitat Centre, All American diner gives you a feeling of sitting in not less than a 5-star hotel coffee house, for its nice and flashy ambience, a perfect blend of clique crowd, vintage American like posters and a mix of checks and reds making the place look exquisite and vibrant.

IMG_8243Being one of the first of its kind, the place is inspired from ‘The Diner’, which was born when Walter Scott began to offer prepared food from a converted horse-drawn freight wagon in Providence, Rhode Island in 1872. His lunch wagon was an immediate success and others copied and improved on his concept. These pioneers helped create an industry that would eventually produce thousands of diners. All American Diner is an amalgamation of people holding serious business discussions, passing time and filling appetite before or between cultural events and exhibitions, or simply catching up with friends over a cup of coffee, for which it is almost impossible to find this place vacant or not expect waiting of at least 15-20 minutes.  The bar, tall revolving stools, sitting cabins, menu card, napkin box etc. everything has as typical American feel to it.  With a limited edition ‘Elvis’ Wurlitzer Juke Box that plays 50s’, 60s’ rock classics, and a Hamilton Beach Blender – probably the last one with a retro 50s’ look, each piece at the Diner is a collector’s item. The place has definitely focused primarily on every intrinsic detail to make it look authentic and a real diner.

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The menu boasting of popular American cuisine dishes starts from Salads, Sandwiches, Burgers, Pancakes, Hot dogs, Pastas, Waffles, to an endless range of options. The breakfast menu is particularly popular, and offers palatable omelets, scrambled eggs and bacon. Coming to the rest of the menu, the Classic Double Decker burger is a stealer, topped with double cheese, lettuce, tomato, braised onions and gerkins and comes along with crispy well fried wedges and an appetizing bunch of steamed vegetables. The fries are fresh and literally cut right in front, giving it unique freshness and not tasting stale because of potatoes being frozen. My recommendation would be the Zucchini white sauce mushroom pasta, which is smooth, creamy and savory in both, the taste as well as the presentation.  The Malts and Shakes are particularly sought after, for their thick and refreshing taste, and the desserts part of the menu has delicious options including the blend of waffles, pancakes and ice cream, apart from the general sweet tooth offerings.

IMG_8244Hot dogs are the hot favorites of his place, offering quality stuff and variety in form of not just hot dogs, but also cheese dogs. For value added meals, there are options of combos to suffice your big appetite needs. Although the food is scrumptious, the only hinge being the size of portions not being satisfactory. Diners in the US are known for their generous servings but this place stands in stark contrast with their stingy portions. One wouldn’t mind paying a few extra bucks for real authenticity as far as quantity goes, as a perfect mix is the one which encompasses high quality along with quantity. The friendly, Elvis side-burned waiters are well-versed in bringing a smile to the face and offer good service. Though the place is a little small for the large crowd it attracts, the fine detailing of absolutely everything and anything makes the experience worthwhile.

Price (for two): Rs 800-1000 (approximately)

Overall Rating: 9/10

Timings: 7 AM – 12 PM

Location: India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi

Closest Metro Station: JLN Stadium

Photographs by Foodie Photographer: Vidur Mayor

 

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.
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Barbeque Nations, Jangpura

There is no sincere love than the love for food

And this is precisely the reason I visited Barbeque Nations, Jangpura for dinner, yet again. Loyalty after all is a virtue. I still do not know if it is the glut of wood and open brick wall surface or the crowning blend of American, Mediterranean, Oriental and Indian delicacies that beckons me to come here again and again.

Only this time I had to wait for an entire hour to manage a place to sit, but then the excitement of a splendid buffet waiting to be enjoyed does not fade away so easily, does it? The live grill is something I always look forward to. It empowers you and the hidden chef within to experiment with the sauces and marinades they provide you with.  For starters I was served beautifully done coastal barbeque prawns, which has been my personal favorite. The prawns are cooked to perfection, crunchy as it should be and slight flavor of barbeque will surely not go without relishing. Besides prawns they have chicken satay in peanut sauce and chilly garlic fish to tickle the taste buds. There is a pretty good variety for the vegans also, like they have Cajun spice baby potato, paneer tikka to name a few. If the starters do not fill you up and there is still a desire to eat, they have a buffet too. The buffet comprises the usual  Indian cuisines and if it is your lucky day you might as well find Chinese . The main course is good, but nothing beats their starters. The desserts are to look forward to. They are usually very experimental with the desserts and there is not as such a fixed menu. This time they had my favorite cheesecake for the dessert along with walnut brownie, apple pie, ice creams and gulab jamuns. The cheese cake was so delicious that I actually went to fill up my plate thrice. I just could not stop.

But is it just about food? The first time I came here I was taken aback by their services. The staff is really friendly and very attentive. The head chef is actually taking the rounds of the restaurant interacting with customers and ensuring that everybody’s having a good time. After dinner all of their staff comprising the manager, chef and waiters personally come to the table with a cake, YES  a cake and even sing the happy birthday song for you. It sounds odd and funny but that’s true. Their song goes like ‘CONGRATULATIONS, AND CELEBRATIONS AND A VARY VARY HAPPY BADDAY’. Well however odd it is, it sure makes you feel special. And if that was not enough, they even click a group picture, print it and give it to you in a beautiful cardboard frame. They greet you when you leave, each one of them. This is one of their strengths and they surely believe in making good relations with their customers through these gestures.

A visit to Barbeque Nations, Jangpura is a memorable one always, specifically with a huge group.

Foodie Correspondent:Kritika Dutta

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.