2 people. Dal Makhni, Butter Paneer, Breads, Rice, coupla soft Drinks. Bill: About Rs. 350(No alcohol, but open till 12am). VFM: Not quite.
Butter Paneer was sad, both in terms of taste and the stinginess with the paneer. Dal was nice. Smallest rice portions ever. We left with a hungry feeling.
Ambience: Standard sasta cafe ambience (cast iron chairs and tables, half white-half marbled(or whatever its called) walls).
Menu: Though we didnt try much - some of it looks quite promising esp the Fish Basket. Good collection of Veg/Non Veg. appetisers as well as main course. As per past experiences - the portions however are small, especially the Non-Veg. Its a popular food pick up joint.In the past there even used be waiting for the dine-in.
How to get there: A few meters ahead of Cafe Rendezvous.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Kebaberie, The Lemon Tree Hotel, Gurgaon
4 people. Drinks: 7 beers (Castle/Kingfisher); App.: Masala Peanuts (Good, watch the green chillies though); MC: Veg Biryani, Non Veg Biryani, Veg Thali, Non Veg Thali. Bill - About Rs. 2500. VFM: Only if you order the thali.
Food is reasonable, though the biryanis were fairly average. What is especially good is the thali - quite uncommon in fine dining restaurants otherwise. For about Rs.275 bucks (Non Veg Thali minus taxes) you get to order 2 kebabs and 1 veg dish from the whole menu. My thali had Dal Makhni, Diwani Handi(Mixed Veg), Reshmi Kebab, Peshawari Kebab along with the usuals. I found all of them to be pretty good (including the Dal - acid test for any Indian restaurant).
Otherwise the food seems quite expensive for a place which is clearly very non-happening.
Menu - Indian, though surprisingly, this was one restaurant where I could not find a Veg. Paneer Dish. Alcohol selection seems limited with the standard beer trio(SBT) being served.(Fosters/Kingfisher/Castle)
Ambience - Nicely done interiors, pleasant lighting, bar stools legs are stockinged women's legs. The tables are bit higher than the sofa so you have to sit up to have food.
How to get there: Take a left from NH8 before Signature towers. Drive down for a few meters to see Lemon Tree on your left.
Food is reasonable, though the biryanis were fairly average. What is especially good is the thali - quite uncommon in fine dining restaurants otherwise. For about Rs.275 bucks (Non Veg Thali minus taxes) you get to order 2 kebabs and 1 veg dish from the whole menu. My thali had Dal Makhni, Diwani Handi(Mixed Veg), Reshmi Kebab, Peshawari Kebab along with the usuals. I found all of them to be pretty good (including the Dal - acid test for any Indian restaurant).
Otherwise the food seems quite expensive for a place which is clearly very non-happening.
Menu - Indian, though surprisingly, this was one restaurant where I could not find a Veg. Paneer Dish. Alcohol selection seems limited with the standard beer trio(SBT) being served.(Fosters/Kingfisher/Castle)
Ambience - Nicely done interiors, pleasant lighting, bar stools legs are stockinged women's legs. The tables are bit higher than the sofa so you have to sit up to have food.
How to get there: Take a left from NH8 before Signature towers. Drive down for a few meters to see Lemon Tree on your left.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Coriander Leaf, Gurgaon
Coriander Leaf, Gurgaon
9 people, Drinks: 2 large bottles of Foster, a couple of mocktails; Appetisers (you can pick 3 appetisers for the combo dishes): Non veg combo - Shammi Kebab, Malai Tikka, Veg Combo - Corn Paneer Seekh Kebab, Some (Channa?) Tikki, Paneer Tikka; Main Course: Dal Makhni, Dal Arhar, Hyderabadi Paneer Lababdar, Qadi Korma (has potatoes), Chicken Tawa, Chutney Rice, Mixed Nans/Rotis. They serve paan and a delectable selection of saunf. Bill: Rs. 5125. Value for Money : Definitely.
Really good food overall, the appetisers were awesome and chutney rice was also really good. The veg dishes for the main course were average, the paneer lababdar a bit too bland and the the qadi korma just not great. Our brit colleagues especially liked the food.
Menu: Indian-Pakistani as promised, reasonably extensive, too long to remember well. Probably go there again and try something else. Drinks menu is also good, they serve wine and a few imported beers.
Ambience: Went there for lunch, and there were qawwalis playing with didnt vibe with the surroundings. Otherwise the surrounding are quite nice, glass walled so you can see the sporadic grass outside, tastefully done interiors- nice.
How to get there: Take a left ahead of DT City Centre Mall to reach the Times of India Building. Thankfully away from the mall mess.
9 people, Drinks: 2 large bottles of Foster, a couple of mocktails; Appetisers (you can pick 3 appetisers for the combo dishes): Non veg combo - Shammi Kebab, Malai Tikka, Veg Combo - Corn Paneer Seekh Kebab, Some (Channa?) Tikki, Paneer Tikka; Main Course: Dal Makhni, Dal Arhar, Hyderabadi Paneer Lababdar, Qadi Korma (has potatoes), Chicken Tawa, Chutney Rice, Mixed Nans/Rotis. They serve paan and a delectable selection of saunf. Bill: Rs. 5125. Value for Money : Definitely.
Really good food overall, the appetisers were awesome and chutney rice was also really good. The veg dishes for the main course were average, the paneer lababdar a bit too bland and the the qadi korma just not great. Our brit colleagues especially liked the food.
Menu: Indian-Pakistani as promised, reasonably extensive, too long to remember well. Probably go there again and try something else. Drinks menu is also good, they serve wine and a few imported beers.
Ambience: Went there for lunch, and there were qawwalis playing with didnt vibe with the surroundings. Otherwise the surrounding are quite nice, glass walled so you can see the sporadic grass outside, tastefully done interiors- nice.
How to get there: Take a left ahead of DT City Centre Mall to reach the Times of India Building. Thankfully away from the mall mess.
Dum Pukht, ITC Maurya Sheraton
5 people, Drinks : 2 bottles of red wine (don't remember the name), 2 vodkas (skyy, romanov), 1 beer (fosters's), bacardi and a couple of others; Kebabs - Jhinga (prawns), chicken and kakori; Main course - chicken bemisaal, pomegranate chops, dal makhni, mutton biryani, rotis/nan. Bill Rs. 17,613 ! (Since in this case a total amount won't suffice, the break-up is as follows - Food about 6-7k, drinks 2-3k, wine about 5k, tax remainder, Thanks to Ashwani for the break-up).Value for money: SO TOTALLY NOT (Manyu has some excellent comments on the topic here.)
Went there with my office colleagues for a team dinner (which is why I didn't have to pay thankfully). Easily the most over-rated and over-priced restaurant in Delhi (e.g. Kebabs are Rs 850, probably Bukhara is more expensive, but will have to wait and see if it is overpriced too). The Pomegranate chops were really good and the prawn kebabs were quite awesome. Some of my friends liked the kakori kebabs for the finely minced meat, however, personally I think they were quite ordinary. Other than that everything else was sub-standard fare.
Menu: Have an extensive (and expensive) wine list. Food - Indian with some niche dishes (atleast a lot of names sound pretty unique), runs into 5-6 pages - one page dedicated to awadhi and rajsi preparations.
Ambience: Well-lit, tables are large so you dont need to elbow each other while eating, nor move stuff to keep the dishes(although that advantage was taken away by the sheer clutter of plates, glasses and unnecessary cutlery on the table), overall pleasant. the pianist was REALLY loud, and when I asked the waiter if it could not be turned down/stopped, I was curtly told that the best pianist in India Brian Silas was playing.
Service. Bad. Wonder if that was because King Abdullah was also eating at Dum Pukht on the same day, but bad. Took forever for the food to arrive, and more than once when I was looking around for a waiter, they would look me in the eye and ignore me (I am not that ugly, wasn't dressed in rags, plus we had two brits in the group)! Although once the food arrived, we were served well.
Never again.
Went there with my office colleagues for a team dinner (which is why I didn't have to pay thankfully). Easily the most over-rated and over-priced restaurant in Delhi (e.g. Kebabs are Rs 850, probably Bukhara is more expensive, but will have to wait and see if it is overpriced too). The Pomegranate chops were really good and the prawn kebabs were quite awesome. Some of my friends liked the kakori kebabs for the finely minced meat, however, personally I think they were quite ordinary. Other than that everything else was sub-standard fare.
Menu: Have an extensive (and expensive) wine list. Food - Indian with some niche dishes (atleast a lot of names sound pretty unique), runs into 5-6 pages - one page dedicated to awadhi and rajsi preparations.
Ambience: Well-lit, tables are large so you dont need to elbow each other while eating, nor move stuff to keep the dishes(although that advantage was taken away by the sheer clutter of plates, glasses and unnecessary cutlery on the table), overall pleasant. the pianist was REALLY loud, and when I asked the waiter if it could not be turned down/stopped, I was curtly told that the best pianist in India Brian Silas was playing.
Service. Bad. Wonder if that was because King Abdullah was also eating at Dum Pukht on the same day, but bad. Took forever for the food to arrive, and more than once when I was looking around for a waiter, they would look me in the eye and ignore me (I am not that ugly, wasn't dressed in rags, plus we had two brits in the group)! Although once the food arrived, we were served well.
Never again.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Italiano, Gurgaon
4 people, went there on a Sunday evening.
Order: Appetisers: Cream of Chicken Soup, Tomato Brouchette (Day's special, Bread with some tomato topping); Drinks: Sula White Wine, Two mocktails - One Ginger based and something called Seventh Heaven(latter not good); Main Course: Biancaneve Pizza (Potatoes, Spinach), Ravioli in tomato sauce, Chicken breast with cheese and asparagus(Day's special), Fusilli with mushrooms and bacon. Bill Rs.1766.Value for money: Definitely
Finally, I get to review one of the better italian restaurants in Gurgaon.Been there before, but not since starting this blog, until today.
The food, as a rule, is good and very reasonably priced for an Italian restaurant. The chicken breast was really awesome, pizza and ravioli - pretty good. The only dampener was the fusilli - I think it was the cheese (gorgonzola), it had a slightly pungent taste which did it. Also, the person having it has a rather butter chicken friendly palate, so perhaps it was a bit bland as well.
One might consider trying the Indian wine Sula - Rs 225 for a glass.
Service: The service is fine, the waiters seem informed about the dishes, but can't communicate well.
Menu: Drinks - Standard selection of Whiskey, Rum, Vodka. A few common cocktails, mocktails and Sula wine. Food - (the right sized menu in my opinion - runs into four pages) - Appetisers, soups, pastas, piatta forti (?),pizzas, desserts.
Ambience: Don't let the exteriors and the painted restaurant name outside put you off, its nice atmosphere inside, Candle-lit tables. This one is not bad even in the afternoon. A petite bar rounds up the place well.
How to get there: The full address is Italiano, Crossroad Complex, Nathupur, DLF Ph-III. When coming from Delhi, take a right from the first red light after crossing the Delhi-Gurgaon border on MG Road. Drive down to find the Crossroad supermarket on your left and Italiano is on the first floor.
Order: Appetisers: Cream of Chicken Soup, Tomato Brouchette (Day's special, Bread with some tomato topping); Drinks: Sula White Wine, Two mocktails - One Ginger based and something called Seventh Heaven(latter not good); Main Course: Biancaneve Pizza (Potatoes, Spinach), Ravioli in tomato sauce, Chicken breast with cheese and asparagus(Day's special), Fusilli with mushrooms and bacon. Bill Rs.1766.Value for money: Definitely
Finally, I get to review one of the better italian restaurants in Gurgaon.Been there before, but not since starting this blog, until today.
The food, as a rule, is good and very reasonably priced for an Italian restaurant. The chicken breast was really awesome, pizza and ravioli - pretty good. The only dampener was the fusilli - I think it was the cheese (gorgonzola), it had a slightly pungent taste which did it. Also, the person having it has a rather butter chicken friendly palate, so perhaps it was a bit bland as well.
One might consider trying the Indian wine Sula - Rs 225 for a glass.
Service: The service is fine, the waiters seem informed about the dishes, but can't communicate well.
Menu: Drinks - Standard selection of Whiskey, Rum, Vodka. A few common cocktails, mocktails and Sula wine. Food - (the right sized menu in my opinion - runs into four pages) - Appetisers, soups, pastas, piatta forti (?),pizzas, desserts.
Ambience: Don't let the exteriors and the painted restaurant name outside put you off, its nice atmosphere inside, Candle-lit tables. This one is not bad even in the afternoon. A petite bar rounds up the place well.
How to get there: The full address is Italiano, Crossroad Complex, Nathupur, DLF Ph-III. When coming from Delhi, take a right from the first red light after crossing the Delhi-Gurgaon border on MG Road. Drive down to find the Crossroad supermarket on your left and Italiano is on the first floor.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Donut Factory, Metropolitan Mall, Gurgaon
Pack of 10 donuts - 70-80 bucks (depending on which flavor you order).
Unlike any donuts you have usually eaten. Warm, cripsy bite sized donuts prepared on an assembly line in front of you topped up with a variety of flavors - cinnamon sugar and dark chocolate are particularly awesome. (Vanilla is passe. Butterscotch doesnt taste like butterscotch). Wish it was more accessible and you wouldn't have to contend with the parking hassles at Metropolitan everytime you wanted a bite o' donuts. Apparently they have opened another outlet in GK(I or II, don't know). I get a pack almost everytime I go to this mall.
Unlike any donuts you have usually eaten. Warm, cripsy bite sized donuts prepared on an assembly line in front of you topped up with a variety of flavors - cinnamon sugar and dark chocolate are particularly awesome. (Vanilla is passe. Butterscotch doesnt taste like butterscotch). Wish it was more accessible and you wouldn't have to contend with the parking hassles at Metropolitan everytime you wanted a bite o' donuts. Apparently they have opened another outlet in GK(I or II, don't know). I get a pack almost everytime I go to this mall.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
TGIF, Gurgaon
5 people, Drinks: Ultimate LIT and Lynchberg Lemonade, 3 Margaritas, 1 Tequila Sunrise, 1 glass of Satori red wine (Happy hours, so multiply all by 2 except the wine).Appetisers: Friday's Nachos; Main Course: Veg Chimichanga, Chicken Chimichanga, Twisted Chicken Pasta, Tomato Basil Pasta, Veg Club Sandwich, Veg Fajitas. Dessert: 2 Chocolate Malted Turtles. Bill: Rs 5,100. Value for Money: This time, yes,(see below to learn why). Food (main course dishes) is otherwise definitely overpriced. Appetisers are usually VFM.Drinks VFM in HH's.
First the important stuff: Late night happy hours from 10:30 onwards and you can order till about 12 (Sunday to Thursday). Usual happy hours till 8:30 (dunno when they start), 50% off on desserts (late night) - wonder how long that lasts.(Some special offer on the southwest menu was going on, not any more however, where you could pick anything else from the menu upon ordering a southwest dish for the same price or less)
In my opinion TGIF is one of the best places to go for a drink (esp the LIT - my acid test for any restaurant). The music is usually good (not this time however), the drinks are well made, and as long as you are going there in happy hours, you dont feel looted (okay a little).(The wine was not appreciated however). The appetisers are pretty good as a rule esp. the Friday's Nachos (As an aside, they are better than the ones I had at the Hard Rock Cafe in Berlin which were too salty) , mozzarella sticks, onion rings, chicken fingers (all actually)
Food is overall average, I mean there is nothing that would make you specially wanna come back to TGIF. Desserts are another story - The Chocolate Malted Turtle is the best dessert in Delhi.(Therein lies a poll - which is the best dessert in Delhi (Non Indian)?)
Ambience: TG-iffy = Good
How to get there: Next to MGF Metropolitan Mall
First the important stuff: Late night happy hours from 10:30 onwards and you can order till about 12 (Sunday to Thursday). Usual happy hours till 8:30 (dunno when they start), 50% off on desserts (late night) - wonder how long that lasts.(Some special offer on the southwest menu was going on, not any more however, where you could pick anything else from the menu upon ordering a southwest dish for the same price or less)
In my opinion TGIF is one of the best places to go for a drink (esp the LIT - my acid test for any restaurant). The music is usually good (not this time however), the drinks are well made, and as long as you are going there in happy hours, you dont feel looted (okay a little).(The wine was not appreciated however). The appetisers are pretty good as a rule esp. the Friday's Nachos (As an aside, they are better than the ones I had at the Hard Rock Cafe in Berlin which were too salty) , mozzarella sticks, onion rings, chicken fingers (all actually)
Food is overall average, I mean there is nothing that would make you specially wanna come back to TGIF. Desserts are another story - The Chocolate Malted Turtle is the best dessert in Delhi.(Therein lies a poll - which is the best dessert in Delhi (Non Indian)?)
Ambience: TG-iffy = Good
How to get there: Next to MGF Metropolitan Mall
Earth - Italian Lounge Bar, Gurgaon
2 people, Rice with Asparagus and Mushroom, Chicken Steak, Some Soup; Bill Rs. 796.(Other: Alcohol served, open till 12pm, Part of Moet's in Sec.15).
The food was average, the chicken could have been more tender, and the rice could have had a little less salt, plus strangely they serve bread with mint sauce. The ambience is really nice and loungy - cushy red and white sofas, comfy chairs, nice lighting, a small bar; and the service is reasonable. The restaurant Italiano kicks ass in the food department.
The food was average, the chicken could have been more tender, and the rice could have had a little less salt, plus strangely they serve bread with mint sauce. The ambience is really nice and loungy - cushy red and white sofas, comfy chairs, nice lighting, a small bar; and the service is reasonable. The restaurant Italiano kicks ass in the food department.
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