S
unny Parashar, head concierge at New Delhi’s five-star hotel, The Leela Palace, recommends his favourite dining spots around the city.
Food style: Indian
Restaurant name: Indian Accent
Website: www.indianaccent.com/newdelhi
Indian Accent is a showcase for modern Indian cuisine, blending traditional flavours with global ingredients and techniques – and it’s the only restaurant in India to feature in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017. Chef Manish Mehrotra is known for highly creative food presented with a flourish, from street fruit chaat sangria to butter popcorn upma. You’ll love this high-end dining experience, complete with amuse-bouches, tasting menus and swish cocktails.
Food style: Indian
Restaurant name: Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra
Website: www.masalalibrary.co.in
With its classy seating and stylish white and gold exterior, Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra brings to life the cooking secrets of ancient India. The restaurant aims to showcase gastronomic traditions, combining them with modern cooking techniques. The vast menu offers dishes from the key provinces and, if it’s your first time there, I personally recommend the tasting menu – from parathas filled with caramelized onions to a deconstructed samosa, this is a ‘wow’ experience.
Food style: Chinese
Restaurant name: House of Ming
Website: www.taj.tajhotels.com
Situated in the Taj Mahal Hotel, this classy Chinese restaurant specialises in delightful Cantonese and Sichuan creations by master chefs. Quiet elegance with a soothing colour palette (blue and white porcelain), a comprehensive menu and great service make this a tranquil and Zen experience. The restaurant is well-known for its yin and yang concept where tastes are delicately balanced – hot, sweet and crunchy with soft flavours. And don’t miss their great dim sums.
Food style: Indian
Restaurant name: Varq
Website: www.taj.tajhotels.com
Named after India’s edible gold leaf, and also located in the Taj Mahal Hotel, Varq is all about modern Indian cuisine. From their masala cod on rice to tomato and mozzarella kulcha and apple kheer, everything tastes divine. What’s unique is that each dish or course is paired with a specially selected tea, ranging from white tea to Vedic tisane with rose petals. You’re also guaranteed to enjoy the great ambience, created with Indian art, antiques and sculptures.
Food style: Indian
Restaurant name: Café Lota
Website: www.nationalcraftsmuseum.nic.in
Located in The Craft Museum, this artsy al fresco spot is a great place to grab a quick bite and an artisanal beverage. The menu features dishes from little pockets of the country – don’t miss their sabudana (sago) popcorn and kesar (saffron) lassi, or their different kinds of coffees from estates all over India. Café Lota is also known for its ‘single estate specialty teas’ from the state of Assam.
Our thanks to Sunny and The Leela Palace, New Delhi: www.theleela.com
