Daily Delhicacies – Page 14

Posted on January 13, 2016

IVY AND BEAN

By Prakriti Bhat

We all dream of a getaway place. That place which allows you to get lost in your own world. That place which gives you solace. That place which is a heaven in the middle of nowhere. Shahpur Jaat, well known as the boutique hub is mushrooming with cafes. Ivy and Bean is one of these cafes. What makes it different from others is its buoyant atmosphere and aesthetic décor. This is the perfect place to get snug as a bug (without a rug).

Finding it is a bit hard and you will need a GPS on your first visit. But it is very close to Potbelly Rooftop Café which is quite popular in the area. Hidden in one of the numerous bylanes it is truly a place worth all the effort. You can sit indoors or in the balcony area. I would suggest going for the balcony since it is quite airy and one section has a bookshelf packed to the edge with different genres. So for a book lover like me, this is paradise. In the evening, the place is given a cheery glow by the fairy lights. From this section you can also see the desserts on display and rejoice in the aroma of fresh coffee being brewed. The chairs are vibrant, simply beautiful. Each of the tables has a copy of Ivy and Bean, a series of children’s books.

The café specializes in British and Italian cuisine. Since we were hungry we wanted something that would be quick and wholesome. Therefore, we went for Fettuccine with button mushrooms in a creamy white sauce. Reading the menu further made us even hungrier and we decided to order French Fries with Mustard Mayo which would arrive even quicker. And it sure did. The Mayo was quite different though it may not be likeable to many since it leaves a strong flavor of mustard at the end. The Fettuccine was delicious. No cheating on the mushroom unlike other cafes. The pasta was al dente, just perfect.

Next we tried a Chicken Shepherds Pie. Though I was disappointed by the quantity, it was appetizing. Oodles of chicken and cheese. One can’t ask for more! Every spoonful had cheese oozing out from between the chicken chunks and each bite was divine. To wind up the meal, we ordered a Cappuccino and a hot chocolate. Both were accompanied by a small homemade cookie. The hot chocolate was nothing extraordinary. In fact I felt it was too much milk and less of chocolate. The Cappuccino was average but one bite of the cookie and the sweet taste robs the coffee of its own flavor. Also, it wasn’t as strong as a Cappuccino should be.

Ivy and Bean’s USP is its dreamy and tranquil ambience. It is truly a hidden gem. In terms of food there is still a little scope for improvement. What they really need to work on is service. Slow service has never been a harbinger of success.

Be it a date, family outing or hanging out with friends, the ambience is conducive for all purposes. Get set for a leisurely experience!

Address- 119, Sishan House, Shahpur Jaat

Cost for two- Rs.1200

Contact no.- 01141090119

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 December 27, 2015

Jamie’s Italian

By Prakriti Bhat

When a celebrated name like Jamie Oliver is associated to a brand, we expect something different, something unique. And Jamie’s Italian does just that. It welcomes you to the world of Italian cuisine which goes beyond Pizzas and the usual Penne pasta. Some might find it a bit “too Italian”, but single cuisine restaurants are catching up fast in today’s times and this is one such place which serves an authentic Italian fare without being corrupted by Indian flavours. It really is ‘authentic’ in the true sense of the word. Unlike Jamie’s Pizzeria, none of the dishes are influenced by Indian cuisine.

The place stands among stalwarts like Kylin and faces stiff competition but I am pretty sure it’s going to make a place for itself. The ambience is quite impressive with colourful chandeliers and well-lit interiors. Small blackboards display the daily specials and Jamie’s cookbooks are up for sale. With a seating capacity of almost 100 people, it is more spacious than the Pizzeria. Right at the entrance is a pasta station where you can watch the chefs at work, preparing fresh pasta. A large bar counter churns a bevy of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages with impeccable presentation. Cans of Pomodoro sauce were used to set up a wooden blank on which the dishes were placed. I was quite fascinated with this innovative arrangement.

Superfood Salad was a healthy start to the meal with avocadoes and beets. The crunchy veggies bore testimony to the freshness of the ingredients. Grilled Chicken Puttanesca was simply grilled chicken cooked in tomato and chilli sauce. Though it was well cooked and succulent, it failed to make a mark. Rigatoni Pomodorro came as a pleasant surprise. I am not a big fan of tangy red sauce pastas but this one had me asking for more. Perhaps the mascarpone and mozzarella balanced the tangy flavor making it truly delicious. And the best part was the crunchy herby breadcrumbs which were not just used to garnish but actually mixed with the sauce and permeated into every inch of the dish. Every bite was a crunchy and scrumptious ride.

The next dish to arrive was Tagliatelle Bolognese. The meat based Bolognese is, without any doubt, one of the most famous sauces for pastas. I was greatly amused by the pasta which was ribbon shaped like fettuccine but frilled at the edges. The meat and pasta, both were well cooked. Both, the Rigatoni and Tagliatelle were al dente, meaning that the pasta was firm to bite. The Honeycomb Cannelloni trio had three varieties of fillings- spinach and ricotta, pumpkin, and mashed aubergine. For dessert, we were presented with a classic, Christmas pudding with brandy sauce and vanilla ice cream which was a part of their daily special menu. This totally got us into a christmasy mood!

Jamie’s Italian will not disappoint you with its Cocktails and Mocktails. Each drink is presented with finesse and complements your meal. Rossini Spritz came in a champagne flute with a slice of strawberry on the rim while the Rosemary and Lychee Sophia was served in a cocktail glass with a sprig of fresh rosemary. As mentioned before, the presentation was flawless.

This place works well for family get-togethers as well as a hangout spot for the young. The USP of Jamie’s Italian is its authentic Italian flavours and seafood. This place cannot be missed!

Address- 3^rd floor, Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj

Cost for two- Rs. 1500

Contact No.- 01133107718

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on December 3, 2015 December 3, 2015

MAGGI MANIA @ WOODBOX CAFÉ

By Prakriti Bhat

The return of Maggi is perhaps the most trending topic on social media. After a hiatus of almost 5 months, it is back with a bang. From schools and colleges to offices everybody seems to be asking the same question, “Maggi khayi?” Kids are rejoicing the grand comeback and companies like snapdeal are making it accessible to people across the country. It’s a boon for hostellers and the perfect companion for late night study plans. What’s not to like? It’s easy, quick and economical.

Wood Box Café has come up with a Maggi Mania festival to celebrate its comeback. A specially curated menu for the same whips up some innovative dishes like Maggi Bhel, Maggi Nachos, Maggi Sizzler etc. Chef Chandan took us through the menu while Mr. Nitin explained the concept behind the fest. Being a huge Maggi fan myself, I was excited to try out their delicacies. The Garlic and Cheese Maggi, though low on garlic, was loaded with veggies and topped with cheese. It was a welcome delight. Peri Peri Maggi was a smooth and delectable ride. Though it wasn’t really spicy, it was quite creamy and the flavor was quite impressive.

Other dishes included Maggi bhel, Maggi Sizzler, Maggi Pizza and Maggi Salad with a vinaigrette dressing. The lineup of dishes is quite remarkable.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on November 17, 2015

Calcutta Chaat Corner

By Anubhav Sapra

Where – 94-A, Kamla Nagar, next to Yadav Namkeen Shop, behind Brijwasi Rasgulle wala lane

Ring them at – Vinod (9716161330), Pramod (9540672310)

It has been a while since I last wrote. Caught up in the hustle bustle of life, my writing took a backseat. But, one short trip to this delectable chaat corner in Kamla Nagar tempted me to get back to my computer.

Being majorly populated by the Baniya and Marwari community, most of which are vegetarians, Kamla Nagar is a hub of varied vegetarian delicacies.

In my college days, I remember, I used to frequently visit Brijwasi restaurant, where all the dishes, ranging from appetizers like tikkis and samosas, to rajma and kadi are cooked without onion and garlic. Another small eatery near the gol chakkar – ‘Miglani Dhaba’ created a blast in our taste buds with their paneer bhurji and dal fry, with soft tawa rotis, bringing us a tasty escape from the torturous culinary experience at the hostel mess.

The other day, as I walked around the by-lanes of Kamla Nagar in search of new hunger joints or addas, I stumped across a small eatery by the name ‘Calcutta Chaat Corner’, serving puchkas, masala toast, kacha sandwich, aloo chaat, churmur, jhalmuri, munglet and some super interesting drinks like masala thumbs-up, rose soda and soda shikanji. The best part? All the dishes range from Rs 20/- to Rs 60/-

The shop is co-owned by Mr. Vinod and Mr. Pramod, who used to work in the same shop 15 years ago as employees, and later took it over from the owners 8 years ago.

The puchkas are a bit different from the regular gol gappas. Puchkas are made of wheat flour, and are filled with a spicy mixture of mashed potatoes and kala chana, and topped with tamarind water, while gol gappas are mostly made up of semolina or only wheat flour.

Even though gol gappas have their own charm, puchkas seem to have made a special place in my heart. As mentioned, puchkas are filled with masala aloo chana and served with imly ka paani, giving a real punch to the taste buds. Another unique variety of puchkas that we encountered were onion puchkas – where chopped onions are added to the normal aloo masala, giving it an oomph factor.

After the delicious puchkas, I moved on to the next popular snack of Bihar and Calcutta, churmur– which is a sort of hybrid of puchkas and aloo chaat. It’s a tangy, crunchy and sweet concoction featuring chickpeas, tamarind water, boiled potatoes, crushed puchkas, green chillies, and black chana. Quite the delicacy!

Another dish that made us drool at Calcutta Chaat corner was the kacha sandwich. First, a piece of brown bread is cut into 6 small pieces. Then a mixture of sev puri is spread evenly over the bread. Finally, this is garnished with small pieces of coconut and coriander leaves.

The pieces of bread are cut such that they fit into the mouth perfectly. The soft bread and the crispy masala sevpuri with the tangy sauce makes it a combination like no other.

In the drinks, I ordered the most unusual sounding masala thumsup served in a big lassi kulhad. In a shaker, thums-up is mixed with masala – mainly a mix of grounded cumin seeds and black salt with some lemon juice, giving it a very different flavour.

With the appetizing variety, coupled with the pocket friendly prices, I am sure Calcutta Chaat Corner will emerge as a hot favourite among the students of Delhi University, who are always looking for an affordable yet scrumptious destination to eat at.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on November 17, 2015

Noor- The flickering light of lost recipes of the Mughals

Saira Mujtaba

Baat niklegi toh bahot dur talak jayegi… This couplet from the famous ghazal echoes in my head whenever I have a conversation on Mughlai food with someone. The city which was once an epitome of grandeur and royalty, the remnants of its magnificence are still seen in the astounding monuments dotting the city’s skyline. But Mughlai food being a very important part of the city’s royalty seems to have got influenced over time and one can’t really find the authentic taste and aroma that once emanated from the Royal kitchens of Shahjahanabad. Not only the taste of some popular dishes like qorma and biryani has got influenced by traces of other places (Moradabadi biryani being one such delicacy that has fused in the so-called Mughlai platter of Delhi), some of the dishes that were once served to the Royalty are now probably lost…or so I thought. This was the lament that I was living with until Fate made me acquainted with Mohammed Noor who traces his roots to the Royal chefs of Shah Jahan.

Nestled on the bustling road in front of Gate No. 1 of the grand Jama Masjid, Noor’s kitchen is a meek one room with a tandoor in one corner and 2-3 ‘chulhas’ with copper ‘degs’ sending out wafts of aroma into the air that tingle the tastebuds. The soot covered walls of the kitchen withholding so many secrets of lost Mughal recipes too.

Noor stands out from the rest of the Mughlai cuisine chefs as he’s got the knack and art of preparing Mughlai food in his genes, for his forefathers served the Mughals seven generations ago and passed on this culinary magic to their progeny of which Noor is a flickering lamp in the city of glittery lights and glamour. Noor is the man behind the lost recipes of Mughlai kitchens. But in his own words, “ Mujhe English bolna nahi aati (I don’t know how to speak English language), and hence he feels that some big names who hog the limelight and organise food festivals in snazzy hotels exploit his talent and don’t give him much credit.

Noor considers Haji Kallan as his Ustaad. His ancestors used to work under Haji Kallan while serving the Royals and even today Noor is associated with Haji’s family as a part time cook.

Name any dish of the Mughlai cuisine and Noor knows it on fingertips. Ever heard of ‘gosht ka halwa’? Yes, I couldn’t believe that mutton could be served as a dessert as well, but Noor is adept in preparing all these unique dishes.

Kaancha Kofta, Mutanjan-Utanjan, Tumba Biryani, Mutton Barra, murgh musallam- bakra musallam and the list is endless. But it’s a travesty that people like Noor whose fingers possess the magic of preparing exquisite Mughlai foods, have to strive hard to make their presence felt. “Bade bade hotel mein ladke khaana pakaate hain par unke paas hunar nahi hai, sirf degree hai…mere paas hunar hai par degree nahi hai, isi liye main maat khaata hun (All these big hotels employ young boys who don’t have talent but they have degrees….I’ve got talent but don’t have a degree and that’s where I lag behind.)

Noor plans to pass on all the secrets of these lost recipes of Mughlai cuisine to one of his sons, but only time will tell if he will get his due in a world where degree sans true talent and refined English language overshadows real worth.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on November 5, 2015 November 5, 2015

JUST JAMIE

TLC PRESENTS MONTH LONG PROGRAMMING ON JAMIE OLIVER IN

JUST JAMIE

TLC, India’s favourite lifestyle channel joins hands with renowned chef and television personality, JamieOliver to present a special programme showcase titled JUST JAMIE on the channel. TLC will extend the on-air experience to its viewers through the launch of Jamie’s much awaited restaurants JAMIE’S PIZZERIA and JAMIE’S ITALIAN (to be opened) in Gurgaon and New Delhi respectively.

JUST JAMIE airs Monday to Thursday at 9 PM, only on TLC!

TLC will take its viewers on a culinary journey of exciting flavours, comfort foods and innovative cooking with their favourite Jamie Oliver.JUST JAMIE will pack in great food and locations and have appearances by celebrities and friends of Jamie as well. The series that are a part of the showcase include JAMIE’S 30 MINUTE MEALS, JAMIE’S GREAT ITALIAN ESCAPE, SAVE WITH JAMIE and JAMIE & JIMMY’S FOOD FIGHT CLUB. From rustling up quick meals to cooking authentic and elaborate dishes, Jamie has a way of making even regular food fun and enjoyable.

Rajiv Bakshi, Vice President- Marketing, South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said “TLC is home to the most distinct lifestyle content and iconic personalities. Jamie Oliver, one of the world’s favourite chefs and TV personalities and a strong advocate of healthy food, will bring his energy, style and delicious cooking all this month on TLC.”

TLC’s JUST JAMIE will help viewers begin their festive season in style with the best recipes, tips and tricks from Jamie’s most popular shows. Viewers will get to experience the best food from Jamie’s kitchen and culinary discoveries from his travels across the world.

Tune in and experience the best food in JUST JAMIE, Monday – Thursday at 9 PM, only on TLC!

JUST JAMIE

Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals

Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals is an energetic food series that sees Jamie Oliver giving solid instruction to the culinary uninspired. In a tough talking, fast paced, as-live style, he creates great home-cooked meals from scratch. Jamie cooks up substantial mains, delicious sides and salads, gorgeous puddings and refreshing drinks – adding his own unique twist to each element. The series supports Jamie’s continuing mission to improve people’s lives through food by tackling the issues of kitchen confidence and lack of time, head on.

Save With Jamie

Keen to inspire us all to eat better and spend less on our weekly food bills, Jamie Oliver is back with this optimistic, inventive and super-helpful food series. Jamie passionately believes that, especially during frugal times, a few clever tricks in the kitchen can keep the costs down, the spirits up, and the food looking and tasting fantastic. He’s here to prove that it is possible to eat like a king no matter what the budget.

Jamie’s Great Italian Escape

After a year of fighting junk food, Jamie escapes to Italy in his camper van to re-ignite his passion for cooking and his love of good-quality ingredients. His quest for inspiration leads him off the beaten track; he’ll be going back to basics, living off the land, meeting the locals and cooking up some traditional Italian food in his own style. What will the Italians make of him and his food in their own back yard?

Jamie & Jimmy’s Food Fight Club

Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty have been best mates since before school and have always shared a passion for good food. That’s why – now they’re all grown up, – they’ve come home to Essex, and opened their own little pop-up café at the end of Southend Pier. There’ll be some tasty cooking from Jamie, a little bit of foodie science from Jimmy and a lot of laughs with some special friends, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Alan Carr, Gary Barlow, Jonathan Ross.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on November 5, 2015

Sunday Brunch @ Tamra

By Aisha Bhattacharya

Very few things in life are as satisfying as a Sunday Brunch. Tamra, the coffee shop at the Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel in New Delhi offers one such Brunch. The true essence of George Bernard Shaw’s famous statement ‘There is no sincerer love than the love of food’ comes across at buffet spreads in my opinion. I certainly displayed all my enthusiasm at the Tamra Sunday Brunch when I was very kindly invited to review it.

A balmy afternoon, a table by the window, a gastronomic spread as far as the eye can see and a hungry stomach, are a match made in heaven. This buffet is like many others and at the same time unlike them as well. With a kid’s room adjoining the main coffee shop the Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel provides a space for your children to play Xbox games, watch cartoons, draw and play with building blocks all while being watched over by hotel staff and with the added bonus of their very own buffet spread with little snacks and a DIY sundae counter. For once, I wished I was a kid accompanying my parents to this buffet lunch.

The restaurant has a number of ‘Live Theatres’ or live cooking stations/counters as known in other places. I was rather overwhelmed. My previous visit to Tamra was for the Malaysian food festival and I have to say that this time in comparison was far better. Maybe a group lunch versus a lunch with just one other person was the deal breaker. I was accompanied by a member of the PR team and we had the most wonderful time getting to know each other with the generous help provided by Moët & Chandon Champagne throughout our decadent meal.

Chef Neeraj Tyagi visited our table and explained his vision of wanting to provide new experiences for people every Sunday. The menu is rotated so that no two consecutive Sundays are the same. Chef Neeraj has also been instrumental in adding a variety of speciality dishes ranging from Sugar-free to Gluten-free and Lactose-free items. It was wonderful to see how he intends to incorporate all kinds of health food so that people with allergies can also enjoy a buffet to the best of their ability as opposed to being relegated to 1/3^rd of it as is generally the case. For example my mother and grandmother are diabetic and cannot even venture near the dessert counter. They do eventually end up eating teeny-tiny portions of dessert just for some soul satisfaction. But, if they were to get a wide option of even 3 sugar-free desserts, not including fresh fruits, they would be over the moon!

After a leisurely walk around the restaurant to see what was on offer I decided to begin my journey with the Japanese section. A plate piled high with fresh seafood, sushi and a glass of champagne was the start to a very fulfilling brunch. My plate had: Salmon Roll, Salmon Nigiri, California Roll and Yellow tail Maki from the sushi section, Scallop and Prawn Ceviche, Gazpacho with Shrimp, Calamari and mussels from the fresh seafood section. My plate below will hopefully convey what I feel words will do injustice to.

My next attack was on the Asian Oriental section. I absolutely love Asian flavours and was keen to try the healthy section which is the Soup counter. Make your own soup by choosing ingredients from various noodles, vegetables and meats. The chef at the counter will then blanch these ingredients while you choose your broth. That day we had the option of Celery and Leek or Tom Yum. I tried both and the Celery & Leek soup hit all the right spots. The next item on my health binge was some Dim Sum. We tried the Broccoli & sesame seed, Lamb & black pepper and pokchoy wrapped Prawn dim sum. The prawn dim sum was mind-blowing. Perfectly seasoned prawn wrapped in a layer of pokchoy – the absence of flour makes this a super-healthy option!

I wasn’t planning to try the Indian food because you know, how different can it get? Yet, when I walked past the Biryani station I couldn’t help picking up a plate and spooning a bit of each – Mutton, Chicken and Prawn biryani onto it. The visual indicator of the biggest handi with the least quantity says that Mutton was the most-loved Biryani of all. And, it truly was lip-smacking! I had also managed to cram some Fish tikka, Paneer tikka and Chicken Pudina tikka onto my plate all of which were pretty good.

We save the best for last and that always means dessert. Considering the spread, it is rather difficult to mention everything so let me give you my top picks of the day:

1. Crème Brûlée – Oh! That crack followed by the creamiest custard inside. The portion just about enough to drive you mad with wanting at least 10 more!
2. The Chocolate hazelnut cake was absolutely divine.
3. Ice creams – Strawberry, Coffee and Banana Caramel
4. Sugar-free Berry trifle for the diabetics to enjoy with complete abandon
5. Choco lava cake made fresh on request was sinful and so good.
6. Chocolate truffles for those who like that little bite on the way out
7. The Chocolate Fountain – brings out the child in everyone and those who disagree are quite frankly lying. It is hard not to pick up a marshmallow and dip it in there!

As you can see I tried a whole heap of desserts to give you my top picks. This buffet was indulgent, decadent and luxurious. A bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne, nestled in crushed ice, that was poured for us at near-empty intervals kept us hydrated through the meal.

Package Details:

Rs. 2750++ includes free flowing cocktails, beer and mocktails
Rs. 3500++ includes free flowing Moët & Chandon Champagne
Rs. 1500++ Kid’s Buffet

Timing: 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm

All packages include complimentary access to the swimming pool.

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on October 27, 2015

JAMIE OLIVER’S DESI TREAT

By Prakriti Bhat

Jamie Oliver is a man who needs no introduction. One of the most characteristic features of his food is to bring together fresh and healthy ingredients and whip up delectable dishes. Shows like ‘Just Jamie’ and ‘Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution’ made him a household name. With the launch of Jamie’s Pizzeria in Ambience Mall, Gurgaon, Delhites sure have a reason to rejoice as he creates magic with his special pizzas. The outlet organized a media launch on 21^st October, 2015 and it was a delight to be a part of the event.

The pizzeria has a very rustic feel. It is a potpourri of Delhi’s vibrant culture. An entire wall is dedicated to saddi dilli with a collage of different monuments like Lotus Temple, Qutub Minar, etc made with crayons. Indigenous spices hung in a bunch outside the live kitchen where you could see the pizzas being made. Though it is not very spacious, the place has a very cozy feel. The pizzeria is divided into two sections by a set of unpolished wooden doors fixed atop a small wall.

Among the starters we tried hand stretched Garlic bread with tapenade. While the garlic bread looked like strips of your regular Naan and lacked garlic, the tapenade was definitely the star of our meal. The Tapenade was made of olives, anchovies, chillies, tomatoes and is sure to tickle your taste buds. The Okra and Lotus root Fritti was served with a green chutney. It was delicious, though more like our pakoras. It reminded of Nadur Churma, the popular Kashmiri fried snack made with long pieces of Lotus Stem. These starters proved that Jamie’s team had strived to incorporate Indian ingredients and flavours into their dishes. Along with this, you can go for Lemon Iced Tea or a simple soft drink to complement your meal.

The posters on their wall boasted “our dough is made on site each day with love”. This was indeed true. Jamie’s pizzas have a special crust. The pizza bases were thin in the middle and fluffy at the edges. Unlike other pizza chains, the edges were not at all dry. First, came Courgette Pomodorro with topping like crushed tomatoes, zucchini, baked potatoes and mozzarella. Little blops of mozzarella on the pizza just leave you speechless. The Paneer Piccante Pizza brought together spicy paneer, roasted bell peppers, coriander and mozzarella cheese. This was one of the best pizzas I have had. The Marinara Pizza was simple; crushed tomatoes, garlic and oregano.

What I liked about this place is that they have a limited menu. They make only what they are sure of. The limited menu should not be seen as a disadvantage but as a good thing. The brand ensures that all the ingredients used are fresh and that is one of the reasons behind a restricted menu. The freshness of ingredients is quite visible from the glow of the vegetables. Other Pizzas like Delhi Hot and Chicken Alla Diavola are to watch out for. Moreover, the economical rates are another reason why you should give Jamie’s Pizzeria a try.

Let Jamie Oliver take your taste buds on an Italian tour!

Address- 3^rd floor, Ambience Mall, Gurgaon

Contact No.- 9599180116

Cost for two- Rs. 800

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on October 20, 2015

THE COMMON ROOM

By Prakriti Bhat

With the mushrooming of several cafes in the capital, sometimes things become a bit monotonous since most of them offer the same dishes, more or less. However, places like The Common Room are a breath of fresh air. It is a fusion of your regular college cafes, and a pub. On 8^th October, the restaurant hosted a Bloggers’ Meet. Owned by Dinesh Arora, The Common Room is the latest entrant in the ever bustling B.K. Dutta Market and is a walking distance from the Rajouri Garden Metro Station.

The ambience has elements of both, a café and a bar. It’s a delightful combo. It has the casual and cosy atmosphere of a café with funky posters and bookshelves. A vintage radio sits atop one of the shelves while the restaurant logo rotates on a disc on the wall. On the other hand, the minimalistic décor, furnishings and bare brick walls combined with a sassy yet gorgeous bar incorporate the Pub factor. Industrial lampshades illuminate the place. Even the bar counter has a rustic exterior. And icing on the cake? Live band everyday!

We began our culinary ride with beverages. Litchi Caipiroska was average. It tasted more like a litchi flavoured soda as fizz overpowered the Litchi juice. Peach Iced Tea was good but did not stand a chance in front of the Kiwi Cucumber Sparkler which was marvelous. The blend of Kiwi and Cucumber rejuvenates your senses. A juicy slice of Kiwi enticed me from within the jar. Chocolate Fudge Brownie Shake had a smooth texture and was simply bliss. Every sip made me thirstier even though it was heavy!

Kalegee Pao, as the name suggests was a dish of chicken kidney (kalegee), flavoured with spices. It was definitely a spicy start to the meal. Kung Pao Chicken was a bit of a disappointment. Though the chicken was saucy from outside, the spices and sauces did not seem to have seeped inside. Moreover, Shinchan would definitely not be happy with the quantity of capsicum put in! It was too much with respect to the amount of chicken. Spiderman Sausage Racing Car is a hot dog with wacky presentation (though I don’t remember Spiderman ever having a racing car!). Mustard sauce and Tomato ketchup create a web of sorts over the hot dog. However, the bun was too thick for the sausage. So even though there were lots of sauces and a delicious sausage, the taste of bread conquered it all.

One can never go wrong with the classic combo of fish fingers and tartare sauce. Their Fissy Fingers had a crispy coating and thankfully did not crumble. A platter of Onion rings was served with an assortment of sauces and dips. Kanda Bhajji ke Pao was simply onion rings in a Pav bun; nothing exciting. Arabian Nights was a wholesome Mezze Platter.

Among the main course, Mutton Keema Curry Pasta scored high on concept. The combination of keema and pasta was quite different but the sauces weren’t sufficient. Similarly, Basil Pesto and Cream Pasta failed to impress; it wasn’t as cheesy as it is supposed to be. On the other hand, Chicken Caesar Pizza was loaded with cheese but was quite bland. For dessert, we tried Spiderman Cigar which were oven baked crunchy rolls. The filling was brilliant but the covering was too feeble to hold the chocolate and nuts. Nevertheless, full points for innovation and presentation.

The menu has been crafted in a very innovative manner with quirky names being given to each dish like Raste ke Omlettes, Melting Umbrella, Moglee Ka Chilly Paneer, Bruce Lee ke Tandoori Dimsums. But unfortunately, options for vegetarians are quite limited. The highlight of the menu was their Beer Cocktails which is something relatively new in the market. To all the budding singers and bands (and bathroom singers!), this is the place to showcase your talent. Sit back and unwind with the music as you gorge on their delicacies.

Address- J2/6B, 2^nd Floor, B.K. Dutta Market, Rajouri Garden

Cost for two- Rs. 1200

Contact No.- 01133105041

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com

Posted on October 2, 2015 October 2, 2015

The Westside Story

By Prakriti Bhat

West Delhi is no longer isolated and deprived of culinary pleasures. With a booming restaurant business of its own, Rajouri Garden is home to many cafes and fine dining outlets like. The Westside Story is the newest addition to Rajouri Garden’s happening social circle. The owners Naveen Sachdeva, Praveen Sachdeva, Amit Behl and Sagar Thareja have left no stone unturned to make sure that West Side Story is a big hit in the city. After a grand launch, the restaurant hosted a Bloggers’ Meet on 25^th September, 2015.

The best part about this place is its location. It is at a walking distance from the Rajouri Garden Metro Station which makes it quite accessible. The décor was simple yet classy with swanky chandeliers and tasteful furnishings. Head Chef Amrita guided us through the menu. “The main focus is on European dishes. But then, being in Rajoiuri Garden you can’t just do a Taco and ignore ethnic dishes like a Butter Chicken or a Dal Makhani. So we have tried to maintain a balance between Indian and other cuisines”, said Amrita. The menu encompasses a wide array of cookery like Indian, Mexican, Thai, Italian, etc. You name it and they have it. It also boasts of fusion dishes like Butter Chicken Spring Roll, Thai Curry Chicken Tikka, Chicken Tikka Taco and so on.

We began our meal with mocktails. Green Eyed Monster was a refreshing blend of green apple, lemon juice and soda. Mango Spice was like any regular mango juice, but with a chatpata twist. Next came the Thai specialty Som Tam Salad. Thai food is known to touch all the four taste buds; sweet, salty, sour and bitter and it did just that. Chicken Caesar Salad had one of the finest grilled chicken shreds I have ever had but the leaves weren’t very crunchy. Also the dressing disappointed me. Crispy Corn is the perfect dish to whet your appetite though it was quite similar to what one gets at Barbeque Nation. Thai Curry Chicken Tikka was a delicious fusion of Indo-Thai flavours. Crunchy Cheesy Broccoli was bliss. Never before has Broccoli tasted so good. Crispy outside, cheesy inside; what more can one ask for?

Chinese Button Mushrooms were a delight; saucy, crunchy and flavorsome. However, the covering was a bit too hard. Harvest Vegetable Quesadilla was okayish or as one of the bloggers commented, “Too much of Popeye in it!” since it was brimming with spinach. The Vegetable Tilla Kebab was a dish of vegetable skewers which I found quite interesting. Karare Dahi ke Kabab was a big letdown. I am a lover of this dish but here the hung curd tasted sourer than is usually expected. The consistency was good but I have definitely had better. North Indians have always preferred a ‘Punjinese’ version of Chinese cuisine. That is to say, a heavily spiced and oily Punjabi version of Chinese food that one finds in every nook and corner of the city. The Butter Chicken Spring Roll took innovation to another level altogether. Here, the spring rolls are made with a desi chicken filling and served in a tiny glass with the Butter Chicken gravy. They also serve extra gravy, in case you want to dig in. Fantastic concept.

For the main course we began with Mushroom Rarah Pizza, again a coming together of two completely different cuisines. The topping was quite masaledar but the base was a little chewy which should not be the case with thin crust pizzas. Burmese Curry with white rice (since they don’t have Jasmine Rice) is a good option if you want to go for a Thai affair. The coconut oil gave it a very distinctive flavor.

Roganjosh is traditionally associated with the kashmiri mutton dish; simply because it relies heavily on oil and spices (mainly Kashmiri Mirch). But Roganjosh is not just restricted to mutton and can be extended to ingredients like Paneer or Bottle gourd. However, the Paneer Roganjosh here wasn’t spicy and infact a bit sweet, which is the complete opposite of a Roganjosh. Chicken Lababdar is a dish that will leave you asking for more. The spices, the succulent chicken; they are just perfect. To complement all these delicacies go for Garlic Naan. The Achari Naan has nothing achaari about it while the Lachha Parantha was not very soft. For desserts we tried Vanilla and Litchi Ice creams which, yet again were beautifully served.

The presentation was flawless and made every dish visually appealing. I believe that every dining experience should satiate your five senses. West Side Story ensured that. The aroma, taste, texture and presentation were top notch while the music did not go beyond a certain level. It was definitely a wholesome meal.

Address- C-7, Vishal Enclave, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi

Contact No.- 01133106167

Cost for two- Rs. 1400

Anubhav Sapra

http://www.delhifoodwalks.com