“Delhi’s food space is always evolving. The new places that crop up in the city are doing very well and the old ones are retaining their charm and flavour too,” said Bakshish Dean, one of India’s most celebrated chefs and a pioneer of modern Indian cooking. In an exclusive conversation with Outlook Traveller Eats, Dean reveals his favourite spots in Delhi NCR. From his favourite lunch places, and cafes where he hangs out alone for a comforting cup of coffee to where he goes for his occasional drinks, here’s a roundup that you should checkout for recommendations.
Breakfast
Andhra Bhawan
“Whenever my industry friends and I crave authentic regional food, we visit the various state canteens, and Andhra Bhavan is one of my most favourite,” said Dean. Andhra Bhavan is one of the earliest state canteens in Delhi. You would be lucky to find a spot at the canteen that always experiences a beeline of loyalists waiting to find a vacant spot.
The food is not only easy on the tummy but also on the pocket. One must try their
South-Indian thaali that includes dosa, vada, sambhar, and idlis at their best. Don’t miss out pairing your meal with their filter coffee. Other highlights from the roster include mutton biryani, fried chicken, and Andhra curry. If you are visiting over the weekend, the Hyderabadi dum biryani is an unmissable Sunday special.
Address: 1, Ashoka Road, near India Gate, Pataudi House, New Delhi – 110001
Price for two: INR 450
Timings: 8 am to 10:30 am, 12 pm to 4 pm, and 7 pm to 9 pm
Mrs. Kaurs
“I visited Mrs. Kaurs twice during breakfast hours, and both my experiences were excellent,” said Dean. The eatery has a special breakfast menu that is worth trying. They offer meals, which you should go for their full English breakfast that features eggs, bacon and sausage with mushrooms, baked beans, roasted potatoes, grilled tomatoes, and toasted bread of your choice.
Their smoothie bowls, breakfast burrito, and sweet crepes are quite a hit too. Highlights include mixed berry medley (smoothie bowl section), nutella crepes, the ultimate (omelette), and pancakes with preferred toppings. For beverages, they offer a range of coffees, shakes, matcha, and refreshing mocktails too.
Address: SCO 10 And 11, Ground Floor, Golf Avenue, DLF Phase 5, Gurgaon
Price for two: INR 2,200
Lunch
Comorin
“I enjoy regional flavours, and if there is one place that does the execution of regional recipes very well, I will give it to Comorin,” said Dean. It an all-day restaurant that offers regional Indian flavours from across the country on your plate.
Some standout preparations from the menu include aloo dum dahi vada, lemon gunpowder idli, tawa chicken rara, Kashmiri guchhi pulao, raan musallam, and tandoori red snapper. They offer a range of signature cocktails like the vodka-based black Russian, coffee Manhattan, and lemongrass piña colada. They also serve a separate section for teas and coffees.
From their desserts, a must-try is the cheeni malai toast and overnight-cooked kheer.
Address: 101, First Floor, Two Horizon Center, DLF Phase 5, Sector 43, Gurugram, Haryana 122002
Price for two: INR 3,000
China Club
“My family and I have been going to the China Club for the past 20 years. I will agree that the restaurant looks slightly washed down but they have not compromised with their flavours and dishes at all. It is a must-visit if you are a pescatarian and into authentic Chinese food,” said the chef.
Some highlights from the roster include the crispy fried prawn with ginger, home style egg in chilli sauce, steamed scallops with oyster sauce, braised lobster with spring onion sauce, and braised tiger prawns with chilli ginger sauce. A space that allows food to take centre stage, you can choose to pick the drink of your choice from their compact alcohol menu.
Address: Lobby Level, Global Business Park, Tower C, MG Road, Gurgaon
Price for two: INR 4,000
Drinks
The Brook
Inspired by The Brook, written by Alfred Lord Tennyson, Yangdup Lama’s second cocktail bar in Gurugram (after the super hit Sidecar in GK-2) will transport you to a Himalayan lodge. “While I don’t drink a lot, you know it is good when someone like Yangdup is behind it,” said Dean.
Along with bringing the calm of the mountains amidst the flurry of the city, the menu at The Brook is an ode to the Himalayas and its ingredients. Some must-try signature cocktails include the happy Himachali highball (whiskey, reduced Himalayan apple cider vinegar, and maple), the gin-based duk ley, which means “it’s beautiful” in Ladakhi, and the rum-based Mitho Amilo.
Mountain Martini, with a hint of Himalayan juniper and a touch of timbur, is another must-try from their roster.
“In addition to their drinks, The Brook’s food is exceptionally good,” added the chef. For a cocktail bar, the roster is rather exhaustive. It is divided into three sections: light, small, and large bites. Choose their kuttu tacos, jhol momos, bhuteko bhaat, and banger pork to go along with your drinks. The Amarnath kheer serves as a nice end to your time at The Brook.
Address: GL 108, First Floor, Crosspoint Mall, Sector 28, Gurgaon
Price for two: INR 3,000
Coffee
OMO Café
OMO Café is a 100 per cent vegetarian kitchen that sources original ingredients from farms and serves freshly-cooked meals with zero preservatives or artificial flavouring.
“Whenever I want to be alone or just want to grab a quick bite with a cup of well-made coffee, I go to the OMO Café,” said Dean. If you are also someone who wishes to spend a weekend surrounded by a cosy café, then OMO Café is a great spot for that.
The menu is curated by Chef Vanshika Bhatia, who celebrates sustainability and connects diners to the source of their food. With a wide variety of seasonal dishes and vegan and vegetarian options, some must-tries include siddu green pea bread, watermelon tataki, and mulberry beignets for a sweet surprise. For desserts, Dean suggested that their in-house ice cream and sorbets are quite good. “If visiting OMO, you should definitely try the black sesame ice cream there,” recommended the chef.
Address: R-004, 2nd Floor, DLF, Galleria Market, DLF Phase IV, Sector 28, Gurugram, Haryana 122002, India
Price for two: INR 2400
Dinner
Indian Accent
There is no way that Indian Accent doesn’t make it to a chef’s favourite list and that is true for Chef Bakshish Dean too. “I don’t miss a single chance to dine at the restaurant where Chef Shantanu Mehrotra is doing a stellar job with the modern Indian cuisine,” said Dean.
In addition to the chef tasting menu and four-course menu that are offered at the up-scale restaurant, some other must-tries from their menu include the tandoori mushroom khasta, meetha achaar Chilean spare ribs, and the khandvi ravioli. For desserts, one must opt for their doda barfi treacle tasty or the iconic Indian Accent kulfi sorbet.
Address: Near Cgo Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
Price for two: INR 6,000
Kamei
Another of Dean’s favourite restaurants for a dinner outing is Kaméi. It is a premium luxury modern Asian restaurant and cocktail bar that is a great combination of good food, stylish décor, and a lively atmosphere.
Some highlights from Kamei’s menu include
Address: G9F, Ground Floor, Eldeco Centre, Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi 110017
Price for two: INR 4,500
