It seems that every second place that opens up in Delhi to serve dhaba style chicken and tandoori items likes to call itself Chawla’s. Now I have come across Chawla’s chick-inn, Chawla’s chic-inn, Chawla’s chicken, Chawla’s chicken corner and Dill’s Chawla too. But quite frankly I can’t tell which one is the original one, or even if there ever was an original. It seems like Delhi got populated by a zillion Chawla clones overnight. So there is one in Rajouri Garden, Patel Nagar, Tilak Nagar, CR Park, Noida and I think even in Gurgaon. And they all even look the same, have the same menu and are even similarly priced.
As strange as it may sound even the food they serve tastes similar. However, the general consensus is that they offer a decent non-vegetarian fare. In my experience the best bet would be to go for the tikkas and the tandoori items that they serve. Since they all serve very similar tasting fare the chicken tikka, chicken malai tikka and Afghani chicken tikka top my list for starters. For main course I believe the Afghani chicken, tandoori chicken and pudina chicken are generally well done at these outlets.
The boneless butter chicken, karahi chicken and rogan josh are other dishes that these clones have learnt to shell out fairly. The rolls are almost always passable and the vegetarian dishes should be skipped as well. Now most of them have a decent seating arrangement; however, they are not exactly one of the best places for a quiet evening out. A quick bite at the so-called restaurant, takeaways and home deliveries are what I feel these Chawla clones are best suited for.
Malcha Marg is well endowed when it comes to good places to eat at, and Lazeez Affaire joins the list. With a menu that offers a good variety of Indian and Mughlai fare, Lazeez Affaire is a decent place for an evening out. The ambience is quite good, though it could get a bit crowded during weekends so an advance booking will help.
The staff can be a bit ignorant so you have to keep reminding them to hurry up your order. For starters we ordered the murgh malai tikka that was very well done and succulently spiced, just the way I like it. Next up was the murg sharabi tikka, which I found pretty fascinating as it was marinated in black rum. For the main course we went on to order the hyderabadi biryani, murgh hyderabadi and murg rada. My vegetarian friends went on to order some paneer dishes and the regular favorite dal makhani.
The non-veg was delectable fare, though I heard a few complaints about the vegetarian food. The dal makhani according to me was quite good; however, it did not go down well with the others. The biryani was well spiced and the mutton rada was great too. So after the meal, we reached a general consensus that Lazeez Affaire was a good option for a strictly non-vegetarian meal. The place is priced towards the higher side; however, it makes up for the same with food that can definitely be called “lazeez”.
I blame it all on The Oberoi to get me hooked on to cakes, pastries and croissants. My very first taste of a black forest cake and butter croissants was from The Oberoi’s patisserie. This was the beginning of my addiction to all things rich, scrumptious and sinful. I assure you, The Oberoi Patisserie and Delicatessen is one place where even the most stringent fitness freak can lose control. The display has the most tempting cakes and pastries ever and with the freshly revamped deli, gluttony will take a whole new meaning.
Believe me when I say the pastries and deli is to die for! The variety they offer is insane, so do not even expect me to list what all I feasted my eyes on. However, a few of the things that I did sample include the black forest pastry, the cheese croissant, an assortment of imported cheeses (a few of which I took home), the incredible pasta, the salami and the to-drool-for San Daniel ham.
Now, a little word of caution, since any foodie with a soft corner for Gourmet can go wild after looking at what they have to offer, do make sure you carry your credit/debit card along because luxury comes at a price. Yes, do not expect to get a taste of delectable deli and mouth-watering pastries at even near affordable prices. Though I must say the entire experience and options do make up for the money spent. So if you cracked a huge deal or it was the first day of your paycheck, rush and indulge yourself to some gourmet gluttony.
I am a sucker for Lebanese food and so when I first heard about Arabian Nites, I just had to go grab a bite for myself. This was some 11 years ago, and ever since I have haunted the place whenever I decided to go for a movie at Priyas or gorge on some heavenly Lebanese delights. A diehard fan of shawarma, I can’t resist one if I see it. For the uninitiated a shawarma is shredded chicken, tomatoes and tahini sauce wrapped in a khubuz. And thankfully Arabian Nites serves one of the best shawarmas in the city. The best part about the chicken shawarma is the pickle you get along with it; its tangy flavor makes me salivate at the very thought.
All I can say is this tiny take away joint can lure any foodie in with the delicious aroma that comes from around the corner where they have the chicken up on a jumbo skewer. The falafel sandwich too is a great option for vegetarians; however, if you worship non-veg just like I do, I would suggest saving appetite for the grilled chicken. The grilled chicken, I think, is a fantastic option for the reason that it is not too spicy like tandoori chicken and somehow is also bigger in size and thus makes for a larger serving. Now the best option that the grilled chicken can be had with is the Khubuz (the Lebanese bread).
Hummus is another favorite of mine and another delight for vegetarians. Now I’m not sure if it’s my love and bias for Lebanese food that has made me end every visit to Vasant Vihar with a cozily wrapped shawarma in my hand or that the place actually dishes out such a wonderful concoction. Whatever be the reason, I still enjoy my trips to Arabian Nites and it is definitely worth a shot.
Although it has been quite a while since I had last been to Eatopia at India Habitat Centre, I still remember it was one of my favorite hangout zones when I was in college. Right after we were done with our half hearted attendance in classes, we would make a dash to Eatopia to hangout and chill out for the rest of the afternoon. The food court offers the standard fare in desi dhaba food, Chinese, pizzas, sandwiches and chaat. However, the one thing that made me come back for more each time was their bakery.
Eatopia has some of the best pastries in town to offer. And the best part about their baked items is their sheer size. The moment you enter the food court you would notice the big display at the far end which houses some of the most deliciously drool-worthy pastries. The area they fondly call “Granma’s Homemade” has some of the most scrumptious cakes, cookies, pastries, muffins and ice creams to offer.
Though the Chinese from their Oriental Lee counter makes the best option for a meal, as the rest of the fare is not that exciting, I remember hurrying up on my meal to chow down on some delicious chocolate truffle pastries. The place also has wonderful muffins that are so humungous that they can easily replace an entire meal. I would definitely recommend Eatopia for its baked delights and gooey pastries and cakes. The ambience is pretty chilled out while the prices are a bit on the higher side. The service is nothing to rave about since it is self service. Eatopia is definitely quieter in the mornings, while sometimes suffocatingly crowded in the evenings. However, if someone has been there recently and has some information to enlighten me about the place, please feel free to comment.
Whiling away one of my evenings in South Delhi, I came across the much talked about (in non-vegetarian food circles of course) Rajinder Da Dhaba at Safdarjung Enclave and stopped to give it a try. This unassuming dhaba serves some of the most delectable Indian tandoori I have ever come across and my nose told me that even before I ventured in. The name Rajinder Da Dhaba fits the place perfectly as it is not too off from the dhabas that one comes across on highways. The smell of the tandoori fare lures you in to give it a shot, and once you do give it a try, rest assured you will be hooked.
Now if you are looking for a pleasant evening at a restaurant with good hygiene and candle light, do not even think about going to this dhaba. Rajinder Da Dhaba is strictly for people who mean business when it comes to eating. As it has self-service, be prepared to sweat it out in the long queue, first to place the order and later to get it to your car or table. In true dhaba style you will have a chhotu to clean up before and after your meal; however, how “clean” does it really get is not something you should think about when you are eating out here.
Coming to the food, the place has an immense variety of non-veg tandoori and mughlai food and that too at very reasonable prices. Though it offers a decent variety of vegetarian food as well but who cares about that when you are surrounded with the sights and smells of roast chicken and mutton The butter chicken is simply awesome and once you begin to eat, it just takes you to a whole different place, though after eating I assure you, you will only be able to move in your head and not physically as it is pure indulgence. The rumali rotis and naans are a sinful accompaniment for the lovely chicken and meat dishes.
The chicken malai tikka definitely takes all the points for me as it is just so succulent that you can’t stop with one plate, a second round is a must to show your appreciation. Other great options are the chicken tangri fry, chicken malai tangri, tawa chicken and mutton korma. One of the mistakes made by me on my first visit was that I ventured in for evening snacks, trust me if you really want to enjoy the food at Rajinder Da Dhaba make sure you do so once you have built a good appetite or else you will not be able to munch down as much as you desire.
Since childhood, all my trips to Karol Bagh have followed a particular pattern. Get off at Gaffar Market, shop, shop, shop, head towards Ajmal Khan, then shop some more, and once the feeling of going broke would dawn upon us, move on for a meal at Roshan Di Kulfi. Located in the middle of Ajmal Khan, Roshan Di Kulfi is nothing short of a legend when it comes to eateries at Karol Bagh. The place has been there since I guess… forever, and has also managed to survive a bomb blast and the recession!
Roshan Di Kulfi is full no matter what time of day you visit, so always be prepared to watch over the seated people like a hawk and snatch a seat as soon as they are done eating like a hawk would swoop up its prey. Once seated half your mission is accomplished, next you gotta place the order and then leave it up to the waiter’s discretion of how early or late you would be served. They have a variety of options for breakfast, snacks and chaat that include gol gappe, raj kachori, chhole bhature, paneer tikka, samosas and a whole lot of other stuff. Of which I can only vouch for the raj kachori and paneer tikka as the rest of the fare is.. well.. let’s just say, not too “roshan”. Only if they paid more attention to the rest of the food as much as they did to the kulfi.
However, the highlight of each meal is the faluda kulfi. Unless you do not end your meal with their famed faluda kulfi, the meal would feel as incomplete as a sentence without a full stop. The faluda kulfi is definitely the only part of the meal that wins hands down. Personally I don’t appreciate faluda with my kulfi, but at Roshan Di Kulfi, they have somehow managed to make the faluda very alluring with the rose flavor. Come summers and they also have variations of the kulfi, from the faluda to the plain to the pista and also the mango kulfi. However, the safest bet is the regular kulfi with faluda. The ambience is something that you will not notice, especially when you have people hovering over your head and wondering why you aren’t done with your meal already. The prices are very reasonable and the service… well that’s something that depends on the time of day you visit.
Anybody who has ever been to the Chanakya hall or visited South Campus could not have missed the entire lane that offers momos and a host of Tibetan and Chinese fare. The moment you get into the vicinity of the lane right behind the erstwhile Chanakya hall, be prepared to be hounded by the stallwalas who will shove the menu into your face. It’s as though they can sense from a distance that you are craving momos. The best part is to walk by the entire lane and watch them stumble and fall over each other as though you were a celebrity and they were desperate fans looking for an autograph.
Well once you are done with the cheap thrills, make sure to pick a stall and settle down as the aim is to treat your taste buds and satiate your appetite and not just do a cheap publicity stunt to feel important. Thukpas, momos, noodles and soups rule the menus in that particular lane. And though we all miss the famous Chanakya hall, it’s a blessing that the tiny stalls that claim to be restaurants have not been asked to move. Now, if you are someone looking for a quiet and hygienic meal, please toss that idea out the window before you take a seat in one of the plastic chairs and begin ordering,
All the stalls not only look the same but also have the same stuff to offer and also have the same prices, so it simply doesn’t matter which one you decide to walk into. Personally, I go for the one that is decently crowded and has eager staff. Momos of every imaginable variety are offered in this lane, so all you have to decide is whether you crave the steamed fare or fried. They have chicken momos, mutton momos and even pork momos and they all taste equally delicious. However, if you ask me I would always vouch for the fried chicken momos. So in case you are looking for a place to while away an evening and catch up with friends, while you satiate your appetite for momos, this lane next to the Chanakyapuri hall is the best and cheapest option.
Sikkim House in Chanakyapuri is like a less known wonder when it comes to eating out. My first visit to the place was some five years ago when I was roaming around in Chanakyapuri and just wanted a nice eatery where I could chill out with my friends. Though the place offers the regular Chinese fare, but I would recommend it to anyone who loves chinese.
The ambience is very peaceful and the décor is quite simplistic. You can also occasionally get to hear the guests who are visiting upstairs, as the place has rooms on the top floors. The staff and service is just regular and nothing to rave or complain about. Although it is one of the places I don’t really visit often, still Sikkim House finds favor in my list of “good” places to eat.
One of my favorites at the Sikkim House includes the hot and sour soup, which is always quite filling and needs to be split in two as it can take up all the room for the main course. Sikkim House also serves some of the best momos I have ever tasted. The chicken momos taste great even if you have them steamed or fried. For main course the place has great thukpa options, the regular variety of noodles and stir fried chinese. However, my usual is the chopsuey, hakka noodles and the chicken manchurian. The soups and fried dishes are certainly worth a shot. And basically I would recommend Sikkim House to anyone looking for a peaceful chinese meal at very, very affordable prices.
Anybody who has ever visited Connaught Place or lives in the vicinity of Central Delhi is bound to run into Galina. The restaurant is located in the center of Gole Market and is hard to miss while driving out of Connaught Place towards West Delhi. I had heard tales about the chicken served at Galina for ages and finally decided to pay a visit to the semi-circle restaurant give or take ten years ago. Ever since I have paid an odd visit to Galina each time I was in the vicinity with good time on hand.
The place has not changed much in the many years that I have been visiting it. The moment you enter, looking at the décor you would understand the place only means business. Galina has a to-the-point sitting arrangement with pretty ancient looking tables and chairs, but then people who have heard about it would know it is just about the food at Galina. Galina can very well be categorized as a to-the-point eatery, where one would venture in only for a quick meal and looking for brilliant service or ambience would be expecting too much.
It is one of the best places in the heart of Delhi where one can go for a 100% non-vegetarian meal. Galina’s tandoori chicken is extremely popular and once you dig into the succulent meat you would know exactly why. Almost all the chicken dishes are to be recommended, of which the kadai chicken, afghani chicken, chicken salami and chicken kababs are the most outstanding. The mutton and fish dishes too are delicious; however, for me the chicken dishes overpower all others. All in all a great place if you only have non-veg food and especially chicken on your mind, and though the ambience is non-existent, the prices compensate by being dirt cheap.
As strange as it may sound even the food they serve tastes similar. However, the general consensus is that they offer a decent non-vegetarian fare. In my experience the best bet would be to go for the tikkas and the tandoori items that they serve. Since they all serve very similar tasting fare the chicken tikka, chicken malai tikka and Afghani chicken tikka top my list for starters. For main course I believe the Afghani chicken, tandoori chicken and pudina chicken are generally well done at these outlets.
The staff can be a bit ignorant so you have to keep reminding them to hurry up your order. For starters we ordered the murgh malai tikka that was very well done and succulently spiced, just the way I like it. Next up was the murg sharabi tikka, which I found pretty fascinating as it was marinated in black rum. For the main course we went on to order the hyderabadi biryani, murgh hyderabadi and murg rada. My vegetarian friends went on to order some paneer dishes and the regular favorite dal makhani.
Now if you are looking for a pleasant evening at a restaurant with good hygiene and candle light, do not even think about going to this dhaba. Rajinder Da Dhaba is strictly for people who mean business when it comes to eating. As it has self-service, be prepared to sweat it out in the long queue, first to place the order and later to get it to your car or table. In true dhaba style you will have a chhotu to clean up before and after your meal; however, how “clean” does it really get is not something you should think about when you are eating out here.
Well once you are done with the cheap thrills, make sure to pick a stall and settle down as the aim is to treat your taste buds and satiate your appetite and not just do a cheap publicity stunt to feel important. Thukpas, momos, noodles and soups rule the menus in that particular lane. And though we all miss the famous Chanakya hall, it’s a blessing that the tiny stalls that claim to be restaurants have not been asked to move. Now, if you are someone looking for a quiet and hygienic meal, please toss that idea out the window before you take a seat in one of the plastic chairs and begin ordering,
The ambience is very peaceful and the décor is quite simplistic. You can also occasionally get to hear the guests who are visiting upstairs, as the place has rooms on the top floors. The staff and service is just regular and nothing to rave or complain about. Although it is one of the places I don’t really visit often, still Sikkim House finds favor in my list of “good” places to eat.
The place has not changed much in the many years that I have been visiting it. The moment you enter, looking at the décor you would understand the place only means business. Galina has a to-the-point sitting arrangement with pretty ancient looking tables and chairs, but then people who have heard about it would know it is just about the food at Galina. Galina can very well be categorized as a to-the-point eatery, where one would venture in only for a quick meal and looking for brilliant service or ambience would be expecting too much.