New Year Special: Thalis at Zambar, Gurgaon





This New Year's Eve, Zambar offers special Thalis at Cyber Hub, Gurgaon letting you binge on and welcome the New Year with an extravagant  feast!

Details
Zambar, GF-19, DLF Cyber Hub Gurgaon, 
Veg Thali- Rs 395 + taxes
Non-Veg- Rs 485 + taxes
Sea Food- Rs 690+ taxes

(With unlimited Vegetarian dishes, breads and rice)

For bookings contact: 9958564400

D'Crepes Cafe, Hiranandani Meadows, Thane



The coffee lover's latest, favourite and most homely hangout spot

Want to eat- Coffee, cupcakes, salads, pasta, macaroons, muffins; all ideal accompaniments with coffee and soft drinks

Where to go-  D'Crepes Cafe, Hiranandani Meadows, Thane(W)

What to wear- It's a hangout spot, a laid back, comfy, homely place where you can act yourself and wear whatever you are comfortable in

Whom to go with- Friends, colleagues you are friends with, or basically anyone who you can have a fun time with. Though, more the merrier is the key in hanging out with friends, the cafe also houses books, magazines, a guitar and free wifi to let you have a peaceful time with yourself

How to get there- You can reach Thane station and take an auto or a bus to Pawarnagar in case you are coming from town. Since the place mostly witnesses Thane-ites, they each have their own way to reach the largely prominent 'meadows'

What to order- Do try their range of coffees, Cheese French fries and pastas. The desserts are decent, but go down well with any drink. The food isn't particularly excellent, but its gourmet preparation makes it way better than the stale commissary food which coffee outlets serve.  Perhaps the cafe aims at creating a more fun and relaxing experience than focusing much on the food.

What to do around- You can sit in the backside Hiranandani Meadows garden depending on how much time you have or just walk around a  bit before heading home.

What's for dessert?- This a cafe cum bakery, so dessert options are plenty ranging from simple cookies to the three-layered chocolate mouse. Just see what works best with your drink

Cost for 2- Rs 300-500

Why D'Crepes Cafe- Simply for the homely and comfortable environment the space creates. You can strum a guitar and impress a girl or be dared to bray in a baritone just to have a fun evening with friends, depending on the company you are with

What we reviewed - Recently opened, D'crepes has rapidly become the second home of many a Thane-ite as a place where you can sit with a group of friends and relax after a tiring day at work or college. The warmth the owners exude right from suggesting what to eat to taking your earnest feedback on the food makes the cafe more like your private drawing room, where you can tell your mom whether you liked the food or not! (No kidding, the owners were sweet enough to not charge us for a croissant we didn't enjoy). They rely heavily on customer feedback, also visible from the comments and anecdotes people have shared on their wall. The place needs to focus more or visibility so that people don' settle for the old and prominent coffee joints that Meadows has.

Imperfecto, Hauz Khas Village




Nothing perfect about this 'imperfecto'

Want to eat- NOT Spanish cuisine. And that might come as a contradiction for a restaurant which claims to have that as a house specialty. More like having Chinese at a 'Paratha Palace' 

Where to go-  Imperfecto, Hauz Khas Village 

What to wear- Your best casuals or fine dining outfits. C'mon, you are going to HKV, dressing up is mandatory!

Whom to go with- Friends, colleagues, partner. The alfresco space makes up for a nice romantic evening

How to get there- Take the metro to Green Park or Hauz Khas and take an auto from there. Driving down and walking to the village is another option. 

What to order- I particularly didn't like anything there which I hadn't eaten before. The food is pretty basic with no special use of Spanish ingredients or cooking techniques. I would suggest, play safe and order the classic pizza and salad. 

What to do around- Well, Hauz Khas has a lot to discover if you just loiter around. If you go for lunch, you can explore the Hauz Khas fort or else just take a walk through this earthy village.

What's for dessert?- Thanks to the slow service, it took us centuries to complete our meal (including some dishes which we had to send back and reorder), so honestly we had no time to taste the desserts there. But there are a host of bakeries and patisseries in Hauz Khas for the sweet satiation.


Cost for 2- 2000 (excluding alcohol and taxes)

What we reviewed - Quite honestly, the ambiance is exquisite, to say the least. There's really a bridge, with a beautiful stream of water flowing under it which you have to cross while entering the restaurant. There's an old hanging lambretta, an imperfect sofa and other knick-knacks which are reminiscent of Goan cafes. Go there only for the ambiance and decent food, which has nothing Spanish about it, but rather loaded with Italian and Mediterranean shades. The slow and confused staff may also mar the otherwise beautiful rooftop dining experience you and your party could have.

Season's Special: Winter Cocktails


Hot Maple Honey


Ingredients
45 ml dark rum
15 ml maple syrup
1 nos orange peel
10 ml lime juice
90 ml hot water 

Method
In a water goblet pour maple syrup, orange peel, fresh lime juice and dark rum. Pour the hot water, stir well and serve

Recipe Courtesy: Mixologist Yangdup Lama 

New Year Special : Gourmet's Delight at Cafe Knosh



East Delhi-ites have a reason to rejoice this New Year as Cafe Knosh , brings an all day dining experience at Kempinki Ambience Hotel Delhi.  Celebrate New Year with your family and friends while feasting on lavish New Year's Eve Dinner Buffet (December 31st) and New Year  Brunch (January 1st ) at just Rs. 1500 + tax per person and  Rs. 800 + tax per child.  The buffet will feature Chef's specials namely Baked Red Snapper Provencale, Wild Mushroom Risotto and Grill Panini with fresh Mozerella to name a few. 

Cafe Knosh also has in store special Unlimited Drinks Packages ( for 2hrs ) IMFL drinks priced at Rs. 2000 and IMP drinks at Rs. 3000 . Taxes extra as applicable.


Date and Time: New Year's Eve Dinner Buffet (December 31st) 
                                     New Year  Brunch (January 1st )  1200 hrs – 1530 hrs
Price:  Rs. 1500 + tax per person and  Rs. 800 + tax per child. 

Venue: CafĂ© KnoshLevel 3, Hotel Tower, Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi, 1 , CBD, Maharaja Surajmal Road, Near Yamuna Sports Complex, Delhi

To make a reservation, contact: +91 8130990929 / +91 11 49088730

Christmas Special: Eggnog


A Christmas delight, here's a recipe of the traditional Christmas favourite by Anthony Phillip, Beverage Manager & Sommelier at Amour - The Patio Restuarant, Cafe & Bar, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi 




Ingredients
40 ml brandy / rum
10 ml sugar syrup
50 ml milk
1 nos egg yolk
freshly ground nutmeg

Method
  • Pour the brandy syrup, milk and egg yolk into a cocktail shaker, fill with ice cubes and shake well
  • Strain into a highball glass with ice cubes
  • Sprinkle with fresh ground nutmeg

Season's Special: Winter Cocktails


 Absolute Watermelon Curry



Ingredients


60 ml vodka
3-4 lime wedges
8-10 fresh mint leaves
100 ml fresh watermelon
8-10 curry leaves


Method

• Add chopped watermelon, mint and curry leaves and lime wedges in a cocktail shaker and 

muddle them

• Add vodka and ice to the shaker and shake

• Double strain the mixture in a highball glass filled with ice

• Garnish with curry leaves and slices of lime

Recipe Courtesy : Bartender Prasoon Shukla, Courtyard By Marriott Pune Chakan

Christmas Special: Dundee Cake

Chef Ranveer Brar from Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, shares his recipe of Dundee Cake which you can prepare in plenty and share with friends and family



Ingredients


600 gms unsalted butter
500 gms castor sugar
650 gms refined flour
625 ml whole eggs
10 ml Black jack
4 gms baking powder
60 gms almond powder
125 gms orange peel
200 gms raisins
60 ml rum


Method


1. Soak the orange peel, raisins with rum.

2. Cream the butter and the sugar until nice fluffy.

3. Add the egg gradually followed by the black jack.

4. Fold in the dry ingredients.

5. Fill into the cake moulds, decorate with the blanched almonds.

6. Bake at 150 C for about 40 – 50 minutes

Uzuri Deck & Dining- GK 2




The melange of Europe and Africa

Want to eat- The restaurant is a modern European restaurant fused with African flavours, so unless you are planning to eat exactly that, you can try it to acquaint your palate with something new

(P.S- The tastes suit the masala-loving Indian palate, fret not!)


What to wear- It's quite a formal eatery on the second floor while a deck with lively music on the 3rd floor. So dress up depending on where you want to sit

How to get there- You can drive down or take an auto from Kalkaji metro or Nehru Place

What to order- The desserts! No, seriously, Spicy Vichyssoise with Garlic herb Croutons, Coffee & Paprika Crusted Tenderloin. Also, look out for the interesting palate cleansers. 

Whom to go with- An informal meeting with a business colleague, family or your partner for a nice, dim lit dinner

What to do around: GK 2 is one of the oldest food hubs of Delhi. You can just check out the new restaurants that keep springing there daily while your table is ready. 

What's for dessert- The restaurant doesn't have a fixed menu for desserts, but we loved the ones we tried; Eaton mess and Semi frozen truffles, Chocolate Soil, Chantilly Cream and Orange Soup.

Cost for 2- Rs 3500, without alcohol (taxes extra)

What we reviewed - Thanks to its unique cuisine , Uzuri can be labelled as another eccentrically flavoured restaurant of South Delhi and garner a clientele with specific tastes. However, what works for the place are the two master chefs behind the cuisine. Since African spices match the Indian palate, you are likely to find the food as different, but not strangely peculiar. If anything, they have amazing mocktails which go well with the mains. No, the liquor licence isn't in yet, so the restaurant might have to wait a while before becoming South Delhi's latest dining hub.

Rajdhani Thali, Connaught Place



Because it is all about going back to your roots

Want to eat- Daal baati, gatte ki subzi, kadhi pakora, chaas. Basically, Rajasthan on a platter, literally! And yes, it is a pure vegetarian place.


Where to go- Rajdhani Thali, Connaught Place. Yes, right there, next to KFC. 

What to wear- I would say anything, but if you want to go the whole Rajasthani way then definitely opt for Indian attire

Whom to go with- Family, husband, kids, parents. It is the best place to treat someone as it's not just the food, but the outstanding service which makes the entire dinner nothing less than a royal retreat

How to get there- It's in Connaught Place. Everyone knows how to get to Connaught Place. Just make sure you stay on the outer circle

What to order- As soon as you step in there's a customary tikka and hand wash and within seconds your plate starts getting filled with food. Seriously, since a Thali is all they serve, there's not much to order. And refusing anything they serve is out of question!

What to do around- Before you step in you can shop, sit in Central Park, walk around and make sure your stomach is empty enough to take in all the food. Just make sure you park your vehicle right outside the restaurant because later you will be too bloated to even take a single step

What's for dessert? Make sure you leave room for sweets. With moong daal halwa, gajar halwa and other Indian sweets, the mitha section is well taken care of.

Why Rajdhani Thali- Two reasons. First, I really wonder where else will you get this authentic and dripping with ghee daal-baati choorma and gatte ki sabzi in Delhi. Second, I think the innocence with which the staff insists you to keep gorging all- you-can beats even my mom by a small fraction, thus recreating a gesture typical only to Rajasthanis, mothers and grandmothers

Cost for 2- Rs 1000 (including taxes, no alcohol, not here) 

What we reviewed- I hail from Bombay and personally, wasn't fond of the Rajdhani there because of the heavy stress on the sweet Gujrati food. ( I swear by my dhoklas and khakras, but sorry Gujju people, a North Indian likes spicy food!). But the traditional Rajasthani delicacies and straight from the heart service reiterated how courteous Indian or specifically Rajasthani hospitality can get. The language of the staff, the way they are dressed and the overall dining experience transports you to Rajasthan from the moment you step in. From washing your hands with rose petals to bringing the traditional 'gud' (jaggery) towards the end, these little nuances create a royal dining experience and make you feel like a king, signifying Indian heritage through this gastronomic affair. 

P. S. A word of advice; don't drink chaas before the meal, It bloats you up and makes you feel full. You really don't want that!

Mamagoto, Vasant Kunj



Of novel menus, quirky graphics and a fun, Pan- Asian dinner

Want to eat- PAN- ASIAN CUISINE. In bold. Not just Chinese or Thai but rather celebrating the food-versity which Asia as a continent has to offer.

Where to go-  Mamagoto, DLF Promenade, Vasant Kunj, South Delhi's brimming all-under-one-roof food hub.

What to wear- Casuals, since the place is a very relaxed and casual eatery, 

Whom to go with- If you are not a big fan of noisy ambiance, it is not recommended to go with your family or for a special romantic evening. But a great place to go out with colleagues or catch up with friends.

How to get there- Take the metro to Chhatarpur. From there you can hop in an auto, shared auto or take a bus to CPWD complex. Otherwise, one can always drive down.

What to order- Must try their noodle bowls and soups. In fact you can be your own judge since their graphically designed Asian menu is inventively segregated with keys like 'mama recommends', 'healthy eating', ' 'spicy' and other such indicators to pick your favourite! 

What to do around- Window shop! (OK, not for the guys) Or really shop! DLF Promenade is one of the most renowned malls of the city and there is a high possibility you will find something interesting. Else you can simply stroll around till your table is ready

What's for dessert?- Even you are stuffed to the hilt, you have to try their Caramel sponge cake with toffee sauce and the chocolate mud cake.


Cost for 2- 1500 for two, (excluding alcohol and taxes)

What we reviewed - This much famed, much hyped restaurant lives up to what we expected, maybe even a little more. In the name of 'authentic Asian cuisine' while I expected bland and boring food, this place completely took me by surprise. The interiors are a complete delight as they complement your Asian dining experience, with the roaring yellow tiger and Chinese artifacts for your company. A recommendation would be to check with the server once what you are ordering if you don't want to be put off a cuisine by eating something which didn't suit your palate. Go there if you like Chinese, Japanese and Thai food in a lively and vibrant setting which reeks of Asian-ness in the most fun avatar possible!

Cream Center, Gurgaon





If every meal was that fulfilling

Want to eat- Anything— right from paneer tikkas to sandwiches to Bambaiyya chaat, all under one roof
P.S. The place is a pure vegetarian diner. The menu can even be customized for the Jain guests (No kidding!)

Where to go- Cream Center, Leisure City, Sector 29 Market, Gurgaon —by far, one of the most happening food hubs of Gurgaon

What to wear- Smart Casuals. Anything basically as the place is a quiet, yet not too formal diner. 

How to get there- You can take the metro to Huda City Center or IFFCO Chowk and take an auto from there. Driving down in your own vehicle is recommended, if you are going there post 10 pm.

What to order- ‘World’s best Nachos’ (literally!), ‘American corn cheese balls’, ‘Channa Bhatura’ and the cylindrically stacked ‘onion rings’

Whom to go with- Family, friends, boyfriend, husband- practically anyone! Since the place is quite affordable and doesn’t serve drinks, it is good for an end-of-exams celebration to a fun family dinner.

What to do around- Honestly, being a pure vegetarian place works to the diner’s advantage since there is not much waiting to do while your seat is ready. 

What's for dessert? We would have suggested exploring desserts from an adjacent bistro, but you just have to try their ‘Sizzling Brownie’. One helping is enough to satiate 2 people as it comes loaded with dollops of ice-creams and melted hot chocolate.


Cost for 2- Rs 1000 ( The restaurant doesn't serve alcohol, taxes extra)

What we reviewed- A vegetarian’s delight. Cream Center, with branches spread across the country, surprised us with its all vegetarian, yet not limited menu and keeping the authentic tastes of delicacies intact. The food is a good detour from the heavy restaurant affair that leaves you feeling bloated on your way back. The only drawback is the limited dessert and drink choices which are pretty much necessary with all the cheesy delights the place boasts about. With no dearth of dining options to choose from in the buzzing Sector 29 market, only time will tell how Cream Center and it’s no non-veg, yet delicious food fares among Delhi-ites!