By Rashi Wadhera
There are enough clichés about Delhi winter; yes, we know it’s bitter cold, no one wants to get out of bed, and the fog, smog and gloom can get the best of us at times. Now we could burry ourselves under snoods and quilted overcoats, or perch in front of a heater; Instead, we’ve decided to take to food to help us keep warm this season.
We rallied our favorite foodies and embarked on a quest for some of the greatest hot food in and around the city. Our warm food trail took us from old school Kwality in Connaught place, to the spanking new Yauatcha in Vasant Kunj, with a short haul stop-over at BTW which, for the unfamiliar, is Bittoo Tikki Wala. Next time you’re choosing a restaurant from this list, you’ll know what you can’t go home without sampling.
There’s only two more months of winter, so skip to it!
HOT BEVERAGES
Gung The Palace | Soju {Korean wine} - Meant to be consumed neat and comes with its own drinking etiquette; you never pour your own glass and can’t quite refill it until it's empty.
Where | Sector 29 {Gurgaon}, Near Ashirwad Complex {Green Park}
Price | INR 800
Contact | 0124 4383101, +91 9811911925
Choko La | We hear Hot Chocolate is enriched with anti-oxidants, much like Choko La’s Signature Hot Chocolate. Go for the overkill and order this with a chocolate pizza!
Where | Khan Market, DLF Galleria, DLF Promenade Mall, Select Citywalk
Price | INR 180
Contact | 011 41757571 {Khan Market}, 0124 4003215 {DLF}, 011 41007523 {Vasant Kunj}, 011 41042853 {Saket}
Dhaba by Claridges | Order the special Cutting Chai to accompany a hearty portion of Bun Omelette.
Where | DLF Place Saket, Cyber Hub in Gurgaon {Opening Soon}
Price | INR 95 + taxes
Contact | 011 41750555
For more information, check out their Facebook page.
Bubble Teas | Order the original bubble tea with a topping of whipped cream; ask for it to be served at room temperature. Special surprise - the small, chewy tapioca balls you’ll find at the bottom of your glass.
Where | DLF Phase 4 {Gurgaon}, Meherchand Market
Price | INR 95 {large} and INR 90 {regular}
Contact | +91 9910277672 {Meherchand Market}, +91 9891858558 {Gurgaon}
Sagar Ratna | The best things are for free, including the rasam served at Sagar, which comes before every meal. Note - it’s an ace digestive.
Where | Defence Colony Market, GK 2, Sector 23 Gurgaon, Lajpat Nagar {and any Sagar in the vicinity of your home!}
Price | Complimentary
Chez Nini | Chez Nini is doing a festive special - Eggnog! Available from the 23rd through to the 25th, enjoy portions of eggnog with their special Christmas menu. LBBD tip - spike your nog with brandy, rum, whisky or bourbon to make it that much more exciting.
Where | 79 and 80, Meherchand Market, Lodhi Colony
Price | INR 400+
Contact | 011 49050665
For more information, check out their Facebook page
SOUPS
Mamagoto | Before you binge on Thai curry, drown yourself in Mamagoto’s Chicken Broth for the Hungry Soul.
Where | DLF Promenade {Vasant Kunj}, Select Citywalk {Saket}, Khan Market
Price | INR 425+
Contact | 011 46546060 {Khan Market}, 011 46545160 {Citywalk}
For more information, check out their Facebook page
Gung The Palace | Moveover beef bulgogi; the Sundubu Jjigae {Bean Curd Tofu Stew} proves that vegetarian Korean food is actually really good. A must-have this winter.
Where | Sector 29 {Gurgaon}, Near Ashirwad Complex {Green Park}
Price | INR 600
Contact | 0124 4383101, +91 9811911925
Guppy by Ai |Follow up your sushi with homemade egg noodles in a pork and soy broth simmered over a fire for 72 hours, called the Chashu Ramen. But don’t worry; yours will get to you in under 20 minutes!
Where | 28 Main Market, Lodhi Colony
Price | INR 800 + taxes
Contact | 0124 690005, 011 24690006
Dilli Haat | A taste of India at their sprawling food court begins with Chicken Thupka.
Where | Sri Aurobindo Marg, West Kidwai Nagar
Price | INR 120
Contact | 011 26119055
The Kitchen | Go straight for the rather popular Kitchen Special Khao Suey. They even have a ticker running for number of Khao Sueys ordered!
Where | 75, Khan Market
Price | INR 503 {Chicken}, INR 490 {Vegetarian}
Contact | 011 41757960, 011 41757961
PASTAS AND OTHER CARBS
The Big Chill Café | All regulars {which is most of you} will think it’s the Fusilli Chicken Piri Piri. Sample the undiscovered and incredible Penne with Chicken and Blue Cheese. LBBD tip - ask for a topping of crispy bacon.
Where | Khan Market, H5 Kailash Colony Market, DLF Place Mall {Saket}, DLF Promenade Mall {Vasant Kunj}
Price | INR 420
Contact | 011 41757588 {Khan Market}, 011 41170000 {Saket}, 011 29241040 {Kailash Colony}, 011 48750000 {Vasant Kunj}
For more information, check out their Facebook page.
Soda Bottle Opener Wala | An Iranian and Parsi joint, start your meal by choosing from a wide selection of Iranian Chais from their Chai Bar and move on to the Mutton Berry Pulao and Sali Marghi for a traditional Parsi experience.
Where | 3, Cyber Hub, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon
Price | INR 495 {Mutton Berry Pulao} and INR 395 {Sali Marghi}
Contact | 0124 6518801, +91 8527636633
For more information, check out their Facebook page
Diva Piccola | The spaghetti with the hole! Order the Bucatini Pasta with slow braised minced meat, red wine and rosemary as your carb-indulgence for the day.
Where | 30 Haus Khas Village
Price | INR 530
Contact | 011 30146033, ext. 509
Yauatcha | Although the exhaustive and very tempting list of dim sums on the menu of this Michelin starred London Dim Sum Tea House may confuse you, a must order are the Shanghai Dumplings and Truffle Edamame Dumplings.
Where | Level 2, Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj
Price | INR 275 {Shanghai Dumplings} and INR 495 {Truffle Edamame Dumplings}
Contact | 011 30146033, ext. 836
For more information, check out their Facebook page
Benihana | A Teppanyaki style restaurant, pick the grilled lamb to taste a fairly traditional dish done right.
Where | R 5, Epicuria Food Mall, Nehru Place
Price | INR 925
Contact | 01126488884, 011 26488885
For more information, check out their Facebook page
Ahad Sons | A restaurant specializing in traditional Kashmiri food, we recommend sticking to take-away or home-delivery. Order the Tabakh Maaz, a Kashmiri delicacy made with tender mutton ribs. LBBD tip - don’t forget to order the walnut chutney as an accompaniment.
Where | 3A, {behind the Mother Dairy}, Uday Park
Price | INR 200
Contact | 9810074913, 9650200137
For more information, check out their Facebook page.
Kwality | One of our favorite old school haunts, the Kwality channa has been a staple signature for over 65 years. Apparently cooked in secret spices, its ideal pairing is with bhaturas.
Where | 7, Regal Building, Connaught Place
Price | INR 265
Contact | 01123742310
DESSERTS
L’opera | A dessert classic, the L’opera Chocolate Éclair is one of the most popular things on the bakery’s menu. It is also available in a coffee flavor.
Where | Khan Market, DLF Phase 4, DLF Promenade Mall, Haus Khas Village, Select Citywalk
Price | INR 150
Contact | 01147322883 {Khan Market}, 01244083093 {Gurgaon}, 01141007855 {Vasant Kunj}, 011 46547112 {Select Citywalk}
Tres | Ask for the Apple Tarte Tartin. An upside down tart, it comes with a side of cinnamon balsamic syrup and the option of vanilla cue cream - in case you want a switch up.
Where | 17 Main Market, Lodhi Colony
Price | INR 399
Contact | 011 2425520, +91 9910061041
For more information, check out their Facebook page
BTW {Bittoo Tikki Wala} | Anyone who’s been to a Delhi farm wedding will be all too familiar with BTW. Cooked in Ghee, the BTW Dal Halwa is a traditional dessert done right.
Where | Log on to www.btwindia.com for all their locations.
Price | INR 450/kg
Contact | 011 64646464
For more information, check out their Facebook page
Standard Burfee | Our favourite Halwai, make the trip to get a taste of their Gaajar Ka Halwa cooked to perfection in asli ghee. If you’ve made the trek, don’t leave without also sampling the coconut burfees.
Where | 2750/21 Ajmal Khan Road, Karol Bagh
Price | INR 350/kg
Contact | 011 28723930, 011 28726173
Royal China | Try the fried ice cream for a novel experience. Hot on the outside and cold on the inside, the conflicting temperatures makes eating it very exciting.
Where | 16th Floor, Eros Corporate Tower, Nehru Place
Price | INR 295
Contact | 011 49818000, 01149818008
Happy Eating!
Image Courtesy: wallpaper4me.com, irishfoodgeek.com, http://gastronomicvoyage.files.wordpress.com/%3C/em%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/p%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost