Chef Vicky Ratnani On Mumbai Food vs Delhi Food & His Favourite Spots In Delhi NCR

When Delhiites and Mumbaikars sit together, a constant tussle about which city does food better is unavoidable. Celebrity chef Vicky Ratnani who hails from Mumbai and is the mater chef behind Omny Kitchen and Bar in Gurugram takes us through the difference in the culinary scenes of both cities and lists down his favourite spots in Delhi NCR for a nice meal.

“People in Mumbai are more experimental and adventurous with their food choices than people in Delhi,” said Ratnani. He believes that while Delhi’s food scene is explosive, people play safe bets and are conservative about their food picks. “If you are someone who wants to experience North-Indian food at its best, then there is no place like Delhi but if you want to experience oomph on your dinner tables then Mumbai is a better spot,” added Ratnani.

“But I love Delhi,” he laughed. Here’s a list of Chef Ratnani’s favourite spots in Delhi NCR that you should check out while planning a day out in the city.

Breakfast

Espresso Anyday 

“I rarely get the time to step out for breakfast, but I enjoy the weekend menus served at Espresso AnyDay quite a bit,” said Chef Ratnani. 

Espressos AnyDay is a quaint neighbourhood cafe housed in Gurugram. This qualifies the cafe to be a stop after a tiring day at work, a leisurely meal, and a weekend breakfast. (through the view from the cafe’s windows). 

Standing true to its name, the cafe serves a host of coffee options along with some refreshing coolers and ice teas. Everything from vanilla ice cream latte and strawberry iced coffee to fresh ginger turmeric lemonade are must-tries from their beverage menu. The cafe also offers a section for matcha that is worth checking out. 

To pair with your beverage, go for their egg and avo, cheese chili melt, and fried chicken sando that also account for diner favorites. They also offer a range of salads and smoothie bowls for you to pick from. 

Don’t miss flipping till the end of the menu where the freshly-baked sweet treat options sit. The zesty Italian lemon meringue, thyme tart, and lemon and poppy tea cake are must-tries from the menu. 

Address 2nd floor, 447, Hamilton Ct Rd, opposite REGENCY PARK-2, Sector 28, DLF Phase IV, Gurugram, Haryana 122002

Price for two INR 1,000

Sambhar Ritual

A rather new entrant in Gurugram, Sambhar Ritual is known for its fresh and authentic South-Indian food and a breakfast favourite for Chef Ratnani when he wants to eat authentic South Indian food. 

Some must-tries from their menu include their open ghee podi masala dosa, paneer Chettinad curry, ghee podi thatte idli, coconut uttapam, puruppu vada, and mini idli. It is a great way to headstart the day with food that is not just light on the tummy but also well prepared and flavourful. 

Don’t miss to sip on their filter coffee that will go well with the food. You could also go for a range of juices and mocktails that they offer. End your meal with their rawa kesari or payasam. Their ice creams are quite loved too. The banana split and tutti fruity stand out. 

Address: Tower-2, Magnum Global Park, Golf Course Extension Road, Sector 58, Gurgaon

Price for two: INR 1,200

Lunch 

Comorin

“If there is another place that does regional flavours really well and places them in a fine dine space is Comorin,” said Chef Ratnani. The all-day restaurant is known to bring regional dishes from across the country under one roof and features in many people’s favourite places to dine at for authentic, fresh, and well-prepared dishes. 

Some standout preparations  from the menu that you must try on your visit include their sweet corn khichdi, aloo dum dahi vada, baby back ribs,  lemon gunpowder idli, tawa chicken rara, paneer papad ki sabji,  Kashmiri guchhi pulao, raan musallam, and tandoori red snapper. 

They offer a range of signature cocktails like the gin-based lavender gin sour, vodka-based, coffee Manhattan, and lemongrass piña colada. If you are not in for cocktails during lunch, go for a cooler, tea, or coffee. 

From their desserts, a must-try is the overnight-cooked kheer, cheeni malai toast and salted chikki kulfi. 

Address: 101, First Floor, Two Horizon Center, DLF Phase 5, Sector 43, Gurugram, Haryana 122002

Price for two: INR 3,000

Banng 

Celebrating Thai flavours in Gurugram is Banng— a collaboration between Michelin-starred chef, Garima Arora and restaurateur, Riyaaz Amlani. 

“They put together seasonal ingredients and prepare dishes that are fresh and authentic to their cuisine,” said Ratnani. Some highlights from Banng’s menu include, tuna larb, noodz, mala noodles, the Banng omelet, pad cha, crab fried rice with pepper curry, and the royal Thai green curry. They also offer a three-course tasting menu that is much loved. 

You must try their lod chong bingsu and sago nom sod, and coconut ice cream with khanom bueang waffle shells. Their drinks menu is unlike any other I have seen in the city. Along with classic cocktails are the Banng-special cocktails that are divided into three sections— flyweight, mid weight, and heavy weight. Pick your drink according to the category you place yourself in. The pat pong ping pong and poppin’ mary are great according to diners. 

Address: Unit No. 105, Two Horizon Centre, T-2, Golf Course Road, Harizan Colony, Sector 43, Gurugram, Haryana, Sector 43, Gurgaon

Price for two: INR 3,500

Coffee 

Cafe Dori

If after exploring the world of Nappa Dori’s bags, wallets, and stationery, you wish to sit at ease for a breather or catch up with a friend over coffee, Cafe Dori is a must try. 

There is an extensive menu for iced and hot teas, kombucha, and fresh juices. In addition to great coffee and beverages, the café offers a range of delectable salads, truffles, smoothie bowls, and desserts

Go for their burrata tomato salad, edamame falafel, wild mushroom pappardelle, and chicken roulade. End the meal with the strawberry tres leches or biscoff cheesecake that are a must-try before you leave Cafe Dori. 

Address: Dhan Mill Compound, SSN Marg, 100 Feet Road, Chhatarpur, New Delhi

Price for two: INR 1,900

Dinner

INJA

As the name represents the portmanteau of the two countries (IN from India and JA from Japan), the dishes at the restaurant are a thoughtful blend of the Indian and the Japanese world. A brainchild of chef Adwait Anantwar, INJA comes with a rather compact menu, but one that will give you a gastronomic experience like none other and one that presents the best and the most planned version of both cuisines. 

From gobi maki and udon khasi curry to shiso leaf banarasi chaat and papad and achaar okinamasu, everything served here is something you will rarely find elsewhere. The Panch Indri cocktail menu is an experience that will appeal to all your five senses and bring to you memorable sips that you will come back for over and over again. 

A brainchild of chef Adwait Anantwar, the restaurant is a must try if you want a taste of an Indo-Japanese cuisine marriage. 

Address:  The Manor Hotel, 77, NH-19, Friends Colony West, New Delhi, Delhi, 110065

Price for two: INR 4,000

Chaat 

“I enjoy Old Delhi’s chaat very much. I think chaat is and its flavours reflect a lot about the nature of its people,” said Ratnani. When I asked him about his preferences, he mentioned that he would rather eat golgappe and tikki on the street instead of at a restaurant. 

Bhawan

“If you are someone who likes to eat their chaat clean, head to Bhawan,” recommended Ratnani. If you are a street food superfan then Bhawan is a perfect pitstop for all your chaat cravings. They claim to put the street back in the food. Bhawan was a result of founder Rahul Dua and Kainaz Contractor’s food tours across the country and their will to bring the authentic flavours under one roof.  

Whether it is Kanpur’s classic gadbad chaat or the iconic Banarasi tamatar, a meal at Bhawan can prove to be a food tour through the gullies of different cities of India. Other than the classics, their mutton birria seekh kebab, egg appam benedict, avocado sev puri are a total hit. Their mithais are wonderful, unique, and innovative. While a tough choice, we recommend their tiramisu rasmalai and nutella pedas. 

The vodka-based mango mastani that is topped with aamras and vanilla foam and gin-based, saffron-infused gulmarg negroni are two of the signature cocktails that you must try. 

Address Unit 9, 32nd Avenue, National Highway-8, Sector 15 Part 2, Gurugram, Haryana

Price for two INR 2,500 

Old Famous Jalebi wala, Chandni Chowk

One of the oldest sweet shops in Old Delhi is the Old Famous Jalebi Wala in Chandni Chowk. Known for the piping hot, crispy spirals called Jalebas (bigger and thicker version of the familiar jalebis), the 141-year-old shop was started by Lala Nem Chand Jain who arrived in Delhi from Agra.

What sets their jalebi apart is its preparation in desi ghee and khandsari sugar syrup. They also prepare fresh khameer (batter) that prevents their jalebis from tasting sour. 

You can also choose to top the jalebas and jalebis with rabri or eat them as is. The shop also has great samosas that you should consider pairing with the sweet treats. 

Address 1795, Dariba Corner, opp. Bank of Maharashtra, Dariba Kalan, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, Delhi 110006

Price for two INR 200