Gastronomica
By Prakriti Bhat
Gastronomica breaks all the norms of conventional dining. Its quirky interiors exude a feel good vibe which is bound to make your experience a joyful one. This place works equally well for families and youngsters; it strikes the perfect balance. It is classy yet funky. The moment you step inside, you get an enchanting aroma of delicious flavours emanating from the kitchen which is located quite close to the entrance; a smart move. This tactic reminded me of Tom & Jerry where the tiny rat would follow the aroma of cheese, cunningly used by Tom to trap its adversary! Yes, the irresistible whiff of food being prepared will ensnare your senses.
The interiors were done up very tastefully. They have paid great attention to the smallest of details. Right from the paper napkins to the bare brick walls, everything is absolutely distinctive. To begin with, the napkins are placed on a boat shaped holder and are black in colour. It gave off a very Pirate-like feel. The plates were not round; they were cut parallelly from two sides. They had a lightning bolt symbol at the center, similar to the insignia on Harry Potter’s forehead! The glasses were cut in a slant manner from the top. It took me a while to get used to it as I was constantly in fear of the glass falling off the table! One section of the wall had ‘Cheers’ written over it in different languages. Glass bottles were embedded in the wall to make for an interesting patch of art which reminded me of a similar patch of wall at Wood Box Café on Hudson Lane.
The menu is quite extensive and provides a wide array of European, Pan-Asian, Indian and Italian delicacies. They bring the whole world on your plate. From Tandoori dishes to Dimsums, Crepes to Burgers and Pastas to Nihari, it’s all here, under one roof. The Watermelon Cooler was refreshing and pulpy; a perfect start to the meal. My food journey began with Chicken Ko Thay Dimsums. The filling was quite liberal and well made. The covering was a bit sticky so I wouldn’t say they were the best but it was an okayish start to the meal. From here the ride just got better. The Alfredo Penne Pasta was outstanding. The cheese is bound to give you a foodgasm. Public etiquettes stopped me from wiping the delectable white sauce off the pan with my fingers! This is a must try.
Next came the Primavera Pizza. With a super thin and crispy crust, it maintained a steady equilibrium between taste and health. While it is quite flavorsome with the bell peppers and olives, it is low on cheese. For the record, I am a cheese lover but this didn’t seem like a bad option. The pizza was brought on a huge piece of wood, shaped like a tree trunk while the pasta was served in a small pan. The veggie sliders were cute little bombs of flavor and definitely the winner of our meal. The fist sized buns held crunchy bean patties and was a blessing to the taste buds. These were served with French fries and marked the end of our feast.
Gastronomica has managed to carve a niche for itself in the raging restaurant business of South Delhi. The staff was very attentive even though the place was packed to the gills on a busy Saturday afternoon. With some fine upholstery and interior designing, it stands out among the crowd of fast food joints like Dunkin Donuts, CCD and the likes. Reservation is recommended.
Hop on an exuberant and delicious gastronomical ride @ Gastronomica!
Address- 2nd floor, M block market, GK 1 (Right above Bercos)
Cost for two- Rs. 1200
Contact No.- 9971172933
