Category: Daily Delhicacies

Posted on

Nizamuddin Food Walk

 

 

Nizamuddin Food Walk

By Anubhav Sapra

Delhi Food Walks organized a food walk in collaboration with Sair-e-Nizamuddin, a Self Help Group formed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Historically known as village Ghiyaspur after the name of the then Delhi Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban, this place was later named Hazrat Nizamuddin after the arrival of Sufi Saint HazratNizamuddin. The community represents a range of interesting cultures, traditions and values which are deeply rooted in its history. From the food practices to the religions and social norms that are followed, everything reflects the history of the community and its people.

The walk started with a visit to the Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin, the fourth greatest Sufi saint of Chishtiya order. The dargah is one of the most visited shrines of India and attracts thousands of followers of all religions and cultures.

Kit Care Kebab Corner: (Situated near MCD School)The owner, Ameer Hasan, was inspired by his father who was a chef in the Italian Embassy. Initially, he started with Chicken Soup, Mughlai Dishes, Chicken Tikka, Chicken Changezi, Paneer Tikka and ShahiPaneer. As time went by, new items were added to the list to cater to the needs of the public. Chicken Fry, SeekhKebab/Rolls and Roasted Chicken are a few of the new additions. The owner is planning to open a branch in Connaught Place.

Muradabadi Biryani: (Situated near Baoli gate of DargahHazratNizamuddin)The owner, MohammedMajid, started this restaurant in the year 2000. A resident of Moradabad, Western U.P, Majid got inspired by his father who was a well-known chef of Biryani in Moradabad.  The fame that is father garnered motivated him to start a restaurant here in Delhi. He specialises in both chicken and beef biryani.

Mann PasandNahari or MeekuNahari: (Situated on Ghalib road opposite LalMahal) This place was started in 1990. Mr. Meekuwas a Delhite and he started the restaurant with Beef Nahari and NaliNahari. After the demise of Mr. Meeku, it was renamed ManpasandNahari. Today, Mohd. Akbar is the owner of the restaurant and specialises in the same dishes. Chefs in this restaurant have served the Saudi Foreign Ministry for 12 years.

Hussaini Hotel: (Situated next to the Mann PasandNahari shop)The owner, Mohd. Hussain, started this restaurant in 1957. He came from Meerut, a town in Western UP. Today, his son MohdYameen runs the restaurant. They specialise in dishes such as Paya, Daal, Kofta, Chaanp and Qorma. They are the pioneersof Sheermal in the Basti. Also, every Thursday and Sunday they cook a special Biryani for their customers.

Ghalib Kebab Corner: (Situated next to Hussaini Hotel on Ghalib road)The owner, Mohd. Hanif Qureshi started this restaurant in 1971. He was inspired by his family members who were famous chefs in Old Delhi. He invented a type of Kebab which he named after the famous poet ‘Ghalib’. He has recently introduced other dishes such as Qorma, Mutton and Chicken Seekh Kebab, Paneer Tikka etc.

Al-Rafiqu Restaurant: (Situated next to Ghalib Kebab Corner on Ghalib road)The owner Mohd. Rafique Qureshi started this restaurant in 1974. His family has been in the restaurant business for a long time. He specialises in Achari Chicken in the morning hours, Malai Tikka, Chicken Roasted/Tandoori, Fish Tikka and Mutton Qorma. Mr. Rafique is planning to turn his restaurant into a family restaurant in order to cater to larger groups of people.

Al-Quresh Hotel: (Situated on theMarkazi Market or Attar Street)Mohd. Iliyas Qureshi started this restaurant in 2002. Al-Quresh specialises in Chicken Masala, Handi Chicken, Chicken Qorma Boneless, Chicken Haryali Tikka, Chicken Reshmi Kebab, ChikenQalami Kebab.

Hussain Sweet Corner: (Situated opposite Markaz near HamdardDawakhana)The owner Hussain Ahmed started his confectionary shop in 1971. He learnt the process of baking confectionary from his uncle and when time came, chose it as his profession. He began with GajarKaHalwa, Imarti and GulabJamunall of which continue to be in demand till date.

Shams-ud-Din Paan Corner: (Situated next to Hussain Sweet corner)Mohd. Shams-ud-Din started this betel leaf shop in 1949. He came from Amroah district in Western UP. This was his ancestral business, which he has successfully carried on till date. His son, Shahab and Subair run the shop at present. They specialise in various Paans such as Meetha Special, Tobacco Special, Qimam Special and Sada Special.

We ended the walk on a sweet note with their Meetha Special! We thank Md. Asif and Md. Aamir of Aga Khan Trust for Culture for helping us organize a food walk in Nizamuddin. Delhi Food Walks will be having their second walk in the series of Nizamuddin Food Walks in the month of August. Till then, Happy Walking!

Anubhav Sapra
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

Pabrai’s Fresh and Naturelle

                                             May 16, 2014

 Pabrai’s Fresh and Naturelle

                        By Anubhav Sapra

 

After a long stressful day at work, coming back home and switching on the TV to see the same old rhetoric by political parties can make life despairing. However, a visit to an ice-cream parlor can rejuvenate the senses beyond measure. I realized this when I was invited to review different varieties of ice-cream at Pabrai’s Fresh and Naturelle at Connaught Place. The outlet is opposite to Haldiram’s in outer circle, near Bhape da Hotel. The franchise is owned by Mr. Harsh ( Cell no. . 9582812144) There is another outlet of Pabrai’s in East Patel Nagar, run by Mr. Harsh’s son-in-law, Anujeet Singh.

Bubblegum 2This Kolkata-based ice-cream parlor was founded in 2008 and has 28 outlets across India.The brand claims to deliver natural ice-creams without any artificial essence or added colours. The ice-cream is procured from Kolkata by Rajdhani Express twice a week. In fresh fruit flavors, I tasted Watermelon, Musk Melon, Chikoo fruit, Tender Coconut, Anjeer and Alphonso mango. They also have the kind of flavors that, regardless of our age, can make our heart pine for- Bubblegum and Banana Toffee.  But the ones I liked the most were Pabrai’s Nolen Gur, Chandan, South Indian Coffee and Toasted Almond. The scoops are priced between Rs. 39 and Rs. 129 (excluding taxes), and tubs (500 ml) between Rs. 222.220 and Rs. 417.780.

NGPicPabrai’s Nolen Gur ice-cream is served with real nolengur (a variety of molasses) and has chunks of jaggery in it. It is a treat to the taste buds. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The South Indian Coffee has the taste of strong filter coffee, popular in South India. The owner informed us that this flavor has seen an increase in demand since the time it was introduced.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this parlor. It certainly is worth a visit. After all they do have an impressive clientele -The Park, Sheraton, Taj and many others.

 

Anubhav Sapra
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

Channni Pishori Chicken

May 17, 2014

Channi Pishori Chicken

By Anubhav Sapra

 Continuing its endeavor of exploring the unexplored parts of Delhi’s streets, Delhi Food Walks (DFW)recently conducted a food walk in Vikaspuri, its third food walk in West Delhi after Tilak Nagar and Rajouri Garden. Most of the inhabitants of West Delhi are refugees who left Pakistan to settle down in India. The food, the names of the dishes and the cuisine are greatly influenced by this fact.

Of all the places that we visited in Vikaspuri during the food walk, my favorite was the famous Outer Ring Road wale Sardarji’s Channi Pishori Chicken. The place is owned by Daljeet Singh(cell 9810326023) and the address is Shop no. 29, J-Block, DDA Market, Vikaspuri. Daljeet, whose ancestors migrated from Peshawar in Pakistan, took over the shop in 2004 from his ailing father-in-law Channi and moved it to the DDA market from Outer Ring Road.

20140504_194901My foodie friend Kunal who is a resident of Vikaspuri recommended that I try their Tandoori Chicken. We ordered a plate with Roomali Roti. Served with nicely cut onion rings and green chutney, this was the best tandoori chicken I have ever had. The chicken was juicy and soft. I was intrigued to know what went into making this delectable dish –the preparation starts in the afternoon with the marination of the chicken with yogurt and spices; the chicken is then roasted to perfection and finally, the roasted chicken is garnished with mayonnaise, cream and spices. At Rs. 300 per plate, this dish is a must try’! The shop is open in the evening 5pm to 11pm.

Channi Pishori Chicken has given me a reason to plan another food walk in West Delhi to explore the unexplored.

 

 

Anubhav Sapra
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

18 Paranthewala- Paranthe hi Paranthe

May 10, 2014

18 Paranthe wala- Paranthe hi Paranthe

By Anubhav Sapra

When it comes to breakfast, many of us believe that there are not many good options or decent placesin South Delhi to go to. I believe 18 Paranthe wala has the potential to change that!

Located right outside Gate no.1, Green Park metro station, Yusuf Sarai, this small eatery is easy to spot as the name of the shop is written in large fonts- Paranthe hi Paranthe, 18 paranthe wala. The owner of the shop, Hiralal (cell: 9971232180) is an interesting person to interact with.On an astrologer’s advice, he has named his shop 18 paranthewala in order to bring fortunes!

20140501_095102This small eatery has approximately 39 varieties of paranthas. On Hiralal’s recommendation, I tried Aloo Payaz(Rs 20), Mix Veg( Rs 40), Chicken Parantha( Rs 70), Mutton Parantha( Rs 85) and Egg Parantha (Rs 30). The paranthas are neatly served in a paper plate with a dice of Amul Butter, a small cup of Mother Dairy yogurt and Nilon’s pickles. The paranthas were delicious and it was one wholesome meal I had!

To make chicken and mutton paranthas, Hiralal first crushes the raw chicken and mutton seekh kebabs, which he procures from INA market, and then blends it with onion and some masalas to make the filling. Soft inside and crisp outside, these paranthas were just delectable.

I wiped down the heavy breakfast with a hot cup of ginger tea and left with the thought of finding more breakfast options in South Delhi.

Anubhav Sapra
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

Chennai Hot Cafe

May 3, 2014

Chennai Hot Café- Drink More!

By Anubhav Sapra

Address: E-143, Shop no.4, Kamla Nagar

Contact: 9212407758

Last Sunday, my dear friend Hillary who hails from Manipur, invited us for Easter Celebrations followed by a food fest at Emanuel Baptist Church, Civil Lines. More than being a part of the celebrations, I was excited about tasting the flavors at the North East Food Festival and so I readily accepted the invitation!

After participating in the Church service (songs and sermon) with my sister, we headed to the Lawns to savor the delightful food. We tried Singju (Manipuri salad), sandwiches, and a nicely made Cranberry juice mixed with soda and lime.

20140420_190114A lover of South Indian Cuisine, my sister accompanied me to the Easter Celebrations only on the condition that we visit Chennai Hot Café in Kamla Nagar soon after.  The café is managed by Vipul and Kamal, residents of Kamla Nagar. The duo started the café three years back to serve affordable South Indian food to the student community of Kamla Nagar.

It is deliberate move on the part of the restaurant to have a limited number of dishes so as to maintain the quality of their food. The absence of desserts in their menu was the only downside as I was expecting to savor some South Indian sweet dishes like Payasam and Kesari bath.

20140420_184311

My sister and I had Rawa Dosa, Masala Dosa and Uthapam all of which were excellent in taste and are a ‘must try’.

They have an interesting drink, the Neer More (spiced buttermilk), which is a summer drink quite popular in Tamil Nadu and the rest of South India. A bit different from the regular Chaash available in Delhi, it has coriander leaves, curry leaves, chilli and asafoetida as its ingredients. It was quite refreshing and undoubtedly, it is going to be my favorite drink this summer. Amazing dosas and a refreshing Neer More, need I say more?

 

 

 

Anubhav Sapra
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

SEN5ES

April 27, 2014

SEN5ES – All-Day Dining Innovation

By Anubhav Sapra

SEN5ES is an all-day dining concept by Pullman Gurgaon, Central Park. Located at the Lobby Level, the restaurant exudes a warm contemporary feel with a culinary spectacle. A visual delight for the eyes; the alluring aroma of food wafting through the restaurant; an authentic & delectable world cuisine; and the personal touch of a Pullman persona, all combine to give you a superb experience! Needless to say, the word SEN5ES then signifies the surreal experience offered to the guests.

The 130 cover new attitude all-day dining revolves around the five interactive show kitchens displaying a sumptuous array of food, a dining concept that brings the excitement of cooking from behind the scenes to your table. These stylishly designed live cooking stations comprising of a wood burning pizza oven, the rare Chinese duck oven, tandoor and grill station, ice cream teppanyaki, and saut stations, are encompassed with fire and an enchanting aroma that engage the guests! Playing with natural light, the sky light in a section of the restaurant ceiling, paired with a luscious green view and the warmth of the impeccable service creates an unforgettable experience! The uniqueness of the restaurant is highlighted with its attention to detail with under-lit plate cabinets showcasing the pristine china and cutlery and the place-setting of each table keeping in mind, convenience, simplicity and style.

SEN5ES_Food_2However, it is difficult to review buffet of any restaurant when compared to A la carte. There is a huge variation in taste. I noticed this during my visit to Sen5es where I tried only Indian cuisine out of the buffet. While other bloggers started with Soup, I quietly roamed around the restaurant trying to find the tikkas and biryanis to satisfy my hungry soul. The most enticing was the Chicken Tikka and Fish Tikka. I started the journey with Chicken Tikka, which was quite normal, not as soft and succulent as it should be.

Their mouth-watering chaat menu was a treat to the eyes- Dahi Bhalla, Bhel Poori Chaat, Papadi Chaat, Naspati ki Chaat, Mix Sprouts Chat and Tawa Aloo Chat. You can add the masalas and chutney according to your preferences. Unfortunately, the Dahi Bhalla was hard to crack. Normally, the mark of a good dahi bhalla is its soft balls of urad dal soaked and served with yogurt. The Chef got me another plate of Dahi Bhalla but from the A la carte menu this time, which was perfectly made, with softer bhallas and the correct balance of spices. Here again I was reminded of the maxim, one cannot judge the food of a restaurant by its buffet menu!

SEN5ES_Food_6In the main course, I had Nihari Gosht, Chicken Tikka Masala, Trivandrum fish curry and Biryani. The fish tasted heavenly but the Chicken Biryani lacked the texture and flavor. The SEN5ES has an enticing list of desserts to opt from : Moong Dal Halwa, Banana and Choco Chip Pudding, Mango Cake, Raspberry Cake, Tiramisu and are some among them. What I liked the most was the Kheer, which had a nice smoky flavor.

The most significant element of the restaurant is their steady inflow of customers, which itself is an excellent indicator of their reputation for quality. Fine food and a lovely ambience – Go for it!

 

Anubhav Sapra
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

Bloggers’ Lunch @ Tonino

April 21, 2014

Bloggers’ Lunch @ Tonino

By Anubhav Sapra

 

On Saturday, 19th April 2014, Tonino celebrated their 10th anniversary. I am glad that I was a part of this revelry, celebrating with them a decade of their successful run in Delhi! One of the finest Italian restaurants in the City well-known for serving authentic Italian cuisine, ToninoIs famous for havingbrought to life the romantic old world charm.

Conceptualized and created in 2004 by The Eagle Group of Companies, Mr. Parmeet Singh Sawhney, Managing Partner and Mr. Tonino Generale of Italy, Tonino is known for its exquisitely prepared Italian dishes and extensive wine collection. Meticulously designed interiors and exteriors are proof enough that the Sawhneys with Chef Suman have left no stone unturned to endow the place with the distinct rustic charm of Tuscany.

The lunch started with a brief introduction by Mrs. Simran Sawhney.  She graciously took us all on a tour of Tonino’s history, beginning with its inception in 2004. She shared that “Tonino was created to provide the most scrumptious authentic  Italian cuisine in Tuscan surroundings where you can enjoy your meal in the Al fresco style or dine indoors in the lavish Italian old world comfort”. To her, these 10 years are not about the statistics, but about a journey of passion, of creating a place in Delhi where one can forget one’s background, and experience the romantic charm of Italy. Food is not the only prerogative;the ambience and the people engaged in running the restaurant all collectively work towards adding that personal touch. She beautifully sums up the discussion- “Tonino believes in relationships. People experience the ambience and talk about it”.

The interaction with Corporate Chef Suman, trained with the ‘European Champion’ and the ‘Five Star Chef’, was very engaging. He travels to different regions of Italy every year in a bid to provide a traditional experience to the guests that incorporates regional Italian food and its culture. He said that great care has been taken to keep the taste authentic by using original ingredients imported specially from Italy.

20140419_145402The Chef had planned a delicious menu for the lunch. The food journey started with Aspragi Bellavista 650 (fresh asparagus and roasted red pepper with garlic crumbs) and Pollo con Pesto( pan grilled pesto marinated chicken with parmesan cheese ball).  I liked the Pollo con Pesto as the chicken was juicy and tender.  In the first course section, I had Tortelloni Di Spinachi Ricotta (Spinach ricotta and basil tortelloni with truffle oil and parmesan butter cream) and finally in the main course, I had Costolette Di Pollo Con Salsa Piccante (Chicken chops with BBQ sauce served with grilled potatoes in vegetables) Being a street food connoisseur, my instincts lead me to compare every cuisine. From eating at fine dining restaurants to the food sold by street vendors, I have done it all. The Salsa Piccante reminds me of the desi style mutton chops I had at Sardarji’s meat shop in Bara Hindu Rao. Tonino’s Chicken chops were truly delectable, very soft and juicy. I had finished my serving within seconds.

20140419_152125For desserts I had the wonderful experience of having Lasagna Di Cioccolato which is a Chocolate Lasagna with layers of warm chocolate cake with white and dark chocolate served with vanilla ice cream.  The very process of describing it for my readers is enough to titillate my senses. Apparently, this dessert happens to be Sonia Gandhi’s favorite!

In a nutshell, Tonino is an ideal destination in Delhi for Italian food lovers and offers a perfect place to unwind inafter a rough day. Enjoy savory regional specialties from Italy in a relaxed ambience, under the moon-lit skies.

 

 

 

Anubhav Sapra
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

Mithas

                                     April 21st, 2014

                                           Mithas

                                           By Somya Kukreti, Foodie Correspondent

IMG-20140409-WA0012In the market place opposite Gargi College, overlooking the bustling streets of AnandLok, there is a rivalry going on with no clear winners. On one side is Diggin, the new restaurant on the block which has managed to impress everyone with its style and sophistication. On the other hand is Mithas, a veteran with 20 plus years of experience in providing a wholesome, heart-warming and stomach-filling experience.

An all-vegetarian restaurant, Mithas is well known amongpeople looking for affordable and wholesome food which includes college-goers and families alike. It has three separate eating areas – an open space outside the restaurant, seating area on the ground floor and on the first floor.

A regular haunt for me and my friends, this place has always left me satisfied. The food has been consistently fresh and delicious. One of my favourites is the Veg thali – Dal makhani/Shahipaneer with naan of your choice and a drink. A piece of advice – the portions are generous so don’t forget to take a friend along! Even the quantity of the lachhaparanthasis a little overwhelming andyet it is guaranteed to keep you wanting more.

IMG-20140409-WA0005During my last visit, I ordered vegetable fried rice and Manchurian, and ChholeBhature. I was not expecting the Chinese dishes of Mithas to be this good. They took me by surprise, to say the least. The Manchurian had a well-balanced flavour, tangy and sweet at the same time. I happily started to share it with my friends, only to realize later that the portions were sufficient only for one person. The bhature were crispy, oily and at the same time doughy – which is exactly the way I like them. The chhole were not as oil-soaked as they usually are, and had a distinctive flavour which I have only tasted in Mithas so far.

The only downside is the service which is a bit slow.The waiters look like they are doing a favour by even listening to you, but that can be easily overlooked the moment the food arrives.

Mithas has a pleasingmenu filled with North-Indian, Chinese and street dishes all of which will make your heart sing with joy without making a hole in your pocket. Furthermore, they also give DU students a discount till 3 in the afternoon, making one wonder if they are aware of the financial instabilities of college life! Well, good for us!

Anubhav Sapra
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

Desiya Cafe

 

April 19, 2014

Gappe Gol Hain

By Aisha Bhattacharya

 What do you do when you get a Gol Gappa craving these days? You, hunt for a safe place to eat it which invariably leads you to Haldiram’s or Bikanervala where you get this sanitized-sealed packet of gol gappas and an unappetizing bowl of vaguely sweet & sour water. The joy is missing. Like we Dilliwalahs say, “Feel nahi aati!” (It doesn’t feel the same). The more adventurous types eat off the roadside, always a little sceptical and asking, “Bhaiyya, Bisleri ka paani hai na?” (It’s Bisleri water right?)

Doesn’t feel quite right… does it? Fear no more, the soon-to-be-officially launched Desiya Cafe has just the thing for you. Located in the heart of the Bohemian hub in south Delhi – Hauz Khas

DSC_0830

Village aka HKV (shorter version for Social Media Convenience) Desiya Cafe is the first building when you exit the fort or the last one before you enter the fort. Located on the ground floor is Desiya Express which serves Indian street food in a hygienic way while still maintaining the roadside ‘feel’ of it. As of now, they only have the ground floor open which seats about 12 – 15 people at best. There is a long running table along the wall where you can stand or sit. An open kitchen is behind it so you can see your food being prepared in front of you. The chairs are rather comfortable and don’t make you want to get up. The first floor is still being done and will have the Desiya Express menu plus an add-on Dining menu.  This restaurant is owned by Jackpot Ventures who have the already well known Turkish and Lebanese restaurant ‘Faarsi’, also in HKV.

I was lucky enough to be invited by the Corporate General Manager, Ankush Myint for a preview of the place and I have to say I was rather impressed by the spread he arranged for me.

DSC_0814Having previously worked in HKV, I know exactly what the Gol Gappa craving is like. I would run to Evergreen 9in Green park Market) and eat insipid ones just to feel better. It never quite worked out well. So imagine my excitement when the first thing to arrive was ‘Gol Gappas’!! I was given 3 atta and 3 sooji ones (which I replaced with atta), a sweet tamarind flavour water, a tamarind chutney, the typical stuffing of cubed boiled potatoes and boiled kabuli chana and my favourite sour water (which I find always tastes like jaljeera). The Gol gappas were huge and that is intentional said Ankush. Apparently till the water doesn’t drip down the side of your mouth it doesn’t feel like the ‘real thing’. This is a tried and tested theory! The entire ensemble is well presented and tasted like it should. A spicy, sour, sweet and crunchy mouthful of heaven.

DSC_0822Next, was the Mumbai staple – Vada Pav. Admittedly I have never been a huge fan but, this one hits the right spot! Butttery bun with a Vada that melts in your mouth, add a dash of the garlic and jeera chutney and you’re good to go! I didn’t just taste, I ate the whole thing. To wash this down I was presented with two beverages – a Kala Khatta Sharbat and a Masala Shikanjvi. The Kala khatta sharbat was a tad bit too sweet for me and when I suggested they add more chaat masala to it, Ankush said that customers had complained that by the time they reach the parking lot, “Pet mein gur gur hoti hai” (stomach starts to rumble) So the executive decision taken was to leave it a little sweet. The Masala Shikanjvi on the other hand, had the right mix of flavours. Nice and fizzy with the right balance of chatpata flavours that reminds one of the masala shikanjvi in Modi Nagar. Yes, ‘That’ one! I found if you sip these two drinks together, you get this wonderful kick of a sweet, salty, tangy, spicy, fizzy liquid.

I was then served a kebab platter with Ajwaini Fish Tikka, Kalmi Kebab and Bhatti Tangri. All three were good standard kebab fare available in Delhi. The fish was exceptionally good, so you must try that if you enjoy fish.

At this point I couldn’t eat another morsel but Ankush insisted I had to try one last thing – Night watchman ka Chicken in a Bun. The name sounded odd but greed and curiosity got the better of me and I succumbed to this onslaught of delicious food. The dish is essentially a buttery hot dog bun slit on top and filled with a wetish spicy chicken keema and topped with some mint chutney. So good. So so good. The story behind this dish is about a Night Watchman who would make this during his shift and a lot of people in 24 hour work environments would come to his thela for a midnight snack. He reported made quite a packet selling this invention. The chicken keema is done Rahra style, well cooked and flavoursome.

In a nutshell Desiya has a big menu with quick service, food that tastes as good as it looks and quirky interiors that make you smile. It recreates the charm of Chandni chowk on your palette while keeping you safely ensconced in a bubble in South Delhi. I would think they will offer stiff competition to Dhaba by Claridges. So, the next time you’re wandering around in Hauz Khas village craving street food, be sure to pop in for a visit and you shall not leave disappointed.

Price for 2: 800 (without alcohol)

To speak to them call: +91-8130200444

To visit them go to: Desiya Cafe, 50-E, Ground Floor, Hauz Khas Village

Anubhav Sapra
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

Play With your Drinks

April 19th, 2014

Play With your Drinks

By Aisha Bhattacharya

mamagoto 1

 Hello Boozy Birds,

I love impromptu invitations to tastings of new drinks menus (alcoholic). I mean, who doesn’t? I was fortunate enough to have received a fun invite to Mamgoto in Khan Market last evening. Now, when someone tells me to play with my drink, I’m not quite sure what to make of it? Because we were told as children not to play with our food, so this concept unsettled me.

I reached at 7 pm and was sent to a table reserved for a Bloggers meet at the terrace. I was the first person to be seated and had to wait for all the other fashionably late Delhiites to arrive. The event started at about 8 pm. One of the Co-founders Rahul Khanna introduced himself and the concept of ‘Play With Your Drinks’. Mamagoto will let you be your own bartender for the night, bringing out the hidden mixologist in you. This interactive bar allows the consumer to choose from a massive spread of alcohol, mixers, glassware and garnishes to help you make your own unique Cocktail. The best part is you even get to name your cocktail. Hence, the Play part of the theme for the evening.

We were divided into teams of two and each team had to make a cocktail. Rahul was watching every step of what alcohol base we used, whether a fresh fruit was being used or just Monin’s syrup, if we used herbs in correct combinations and how the drink was served. He then tasted each drink and scored each team. A winner was announced at the end of the event and the two boys who won got a Goodie bag each of Mamagoto merchandise.

Rahul Khanna is a Mixologist and spent the better part of the evening helping the rest of us get acquainted with what goes into making combinations while mixing drinks. For e.g. Don’t use crushed ice in a shaker as it dilutes the drink, when you muddle ingredients don’t transfer them to another glass but make the drink in that one itself and other such important tips. I noticed everyone listening eagerly while eating huge portions of their dinner that followed. Anything I say about their food, doesn’t do it enough justice. I just know that when in doubt, a bowl of Chicken broth for the Hungry Soul can do wonders or some Rock Shrimp Tempura with a couple of chilled beers on a warm sultry evening will hit all the right spots.

An exciting concept for those who don’t want to drink a cosmopolitan or an LIIT every time they go out, ‘Play with your Drink’ gives you the opportunity to think out of the box and have whatever combination comes to mind, provided they have the ingredients. The only downside being that if the drink tastes terrible, you only have yourself to blame. So, be wise while playing with your drink and have a good evening for just 315++ per drink! If you’re not feeling too adventurous and want to play it safe ask the in-house mixologist to create something for you or order a Cinnamon Whiskey Story pitcher and watch others make newbie mistakes. So bring a couple of friends and come ‘Play With Your Drinks’ at Mamagoto.

You already know what to do on Facebook so take photos of your drink and tag them. Also on Instagram – @MamagotoFunAsian or Twitter – @MamagotoFun. You could also use their hashtag #mamadrinkup

 

 

 

Anubhav Sapra
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