When I received an invitation from IKI & GAI, the name itself intrigued me. It sounded like a chapter from Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. The promise of purpose entwined with pleasure seemed likely to echo through the food and drinks. Stepping into IKI & GAI at Sangam Courtyard, R K Puram in New Delhi, I realised the metaphor extended beyond the name. The space feels like a meditation on flavour, mood, and memory. Every sip and bite gently asks why we gather around food and drink at all.
The interiors are dressed in deep reds and blacks, moody yet inviting. Dark wood, plush seating, and a low-lit warmth give the space a confident intimacy. It is like a well-composed novel that draws you in without notifying itself. Tables are dotted with cards and hand games to encourage leisurely pauses between courses. It is the kind of place where conversations linger while DJ tracks drift in and out in the background.
I began with the winter spice punch, a drink that impressed with restraint and assurance. House brandy, citrus fruits, cinnamon, star anise, fresh ginger, and agave made a fine balance of warmth and brightness. It tasted like winter, layered but lucid, never heavy. It felt like a fire in a glass—comforting but never cloying—as if autumn and winter made an elegant pact. Its spice profile was articulate yet restrained. This is a drink that does more than merely warm your throat; it warms your attention.
The Star Dish
The meal began with the asparagus salad. Slender spears were paired with seasonal fruit, apricot, and Parmesan. They were dressed in a Dijon mustard and honey dressing. The salad was fresh, crisp, and gently sweet. There was just enough sharpness to keep things interesting. Carefully composed, the preparation brightly echoes with honey and stone fruit added a whisper of sweetness. This was not a palate cleanser but a salad designed to prepare you for the more expressive flavours ahead.
If there was a moment I felt the narrative of IKI clicked, it was with the cauliflower steak. A generous wedge of cauliflower came cloaked with vivid green chimichurri. The texture was earthy yet tender. The chimichurri brought herbaceous brightness to every forkful. It was assertive without aggression and articulate without verbosity. This proved that vegetarian dishes do not need theatrics to command attention. This dish spoke clearly and stayed with you long after the plate was cleared.
To go with the meal, next I opted for a non-alcoholic option: the matcha hot chocolate. It combined matcha, fresh cream, oat milk, white chocolate, whipped cream, and torched marshmallows. It was indulgent but not excessive. The matcha added depth and a faint bitterness. This played beautifully against the sweet white chocolate. The torched marshmallow brought nostalgia. It was a luxurious fusion—like a foggy Kyoto morning captured in a mug. The swirling matcha, molten white chocolate, and sweet, toasty marshmallow conjured something both perky and profound.
For the mains, arrived the artisanal penne pasta with saffron, prawns, black truffle, and butter. It was rich yet balanced. Saffron threaded through the pasta like a golden braid. The prawns sang of brine and sweet sea-air. The black truffle gave an understated, intoxicating perfume. It was indulgent but not excessive. This was the kind of dish that makes you slow down mid-bite.
A Sweet Conclusion
Dessert arrived in two acts. The Tipsy Tiramisu stayed faithful to the classic. Coffee-soaked finger biscuits and mascarpone felt light yet satisfying. It was comforting and familiar, done right. Tiramisu is a common dessert these days, but this one at IKI & GAI was textural and indulgent. It felt like a dessert meant to be shared, discussed, and remembered.
IKI & GAI is led by Sarthak Batra and Vikrant Batra, who bring two generations of hospitality experience. Their vision is clear throughout the space and menu. This is a diner built for sharing, conversation, and ease. The food is flavour-forward but unfussy. The drinks are crafted with intention instead of spectacle. By day, the space is sunlit and easygoing. By night, it shifts effortlessly. Laughter grows louder, glasses clink more freely, and the bar hums with intent. IKI & GAI balances charm, chaos, and comfort without tipping too far in any direction.
By the time I left, it was evident that IKI & GAI were not trying to make a loud impression. Instead, it invites you to stay a little longer, play a game, order one more drink and dish, and settle into the rhythm of the evening.
