L'Angoor, Gurgaon

[Rated: 3.0/5]

The name L’Angoor can be intriguing, especially if it is the name of an upscale restaurant. “We serve modern American cuisine,” says Chef Hitesh Gupta. I query him on the thinking behind the name, and their crest of two primates with a bunch of grapes. He does explain the significance of grapes in fine dining that their wine restaurant promises but the langur connection to their food or service continues to remain a mystery. 

The term “modern American cuisine” connotes the fusion of traditional European and Asian classic cooking techniques with a stress on high quality, fresh, locally produced, in-season, often organic, and healthful foods. Given that this restaurant comes from the same group as the delectable China Club, I look forward to the experience with a heightened sense of anticipation.

As I wait for the first course, I notice the details around me—the sleek imported cutlery, the large airy interiors with ample natural light, and the plush décor. The place is designed for fine wining and dining. And it does deliver on the wines. There is a wide collection ranging from the hallooed Chateau Latour to Alsatian Riesling to Napa valley Zinfandel and some fine Bordeaux wines. When it comes to dining, the food can range from mostly delectable to sometimes unexceptional, as I am soon going to discover.

The chef-recommended duet of chilled melons soup (Rs 180) is delightful in its simplicity. Served in a martini glass, it has musk melon and watermelon served in a way that the red and the white colours stay separate. The taste is fresh and natural, capturing the fruity fragrance of the melons. This soup is definitely worth having.

Crab Cakes

Kaffir Lime Icecream

Wine Chicken

The same cannot be said for the next dish, the spicy mozzarella samosa (Rs 240). Mozzarella cheese filled in a filo pastry and fried crisp should be a good dish but, here, it is let down by the dense, stringy cheese and the choice of the accompanying sauce.

Crab cakes are as popular as our batata vada in many parts of America because of their truly delicious combination of fresh, sweet crab meat and mayonnaise that is crumbed and deep fried to give it a sweet softness inside and a crunchy exterior. The crab cakes (Rs 450) at the restaurant are well intentioned but are hampered because of the use of frozen crab meat which makes them dry. The accompanying rémoulade is nice and spicy. Next is l’Angoor chicken with mustard infused cabernet sauvignon wine (Rs 380). A lot of good things go into its preparation. Apart from the wine, there is sliced grape, grape juice and pomegranate juice. The resulting flavours are good but the combination of wine and juices does tend to sweeten the chicken a bit much. Unlike the other dishes where the portions were small, this dish is relatively generous in size.

For the dessert, the chef recommends a home made kaffir lime ice-cream (Rs 350) which is served in the house-favourite martini glass, ensconced inside a whole scooped orange. The taste of the ice cream more than matches the dramatic presentation. A bite into it creates a medley in the mouth—the high notes of the ginger and kaffir lime play beautifully with the undertones of cointreau and orange peel. The texture here is as epiphanic as the taste.

L’Angoor is a great option for special occasions, be it a birthday or an anniversary, or a celebration of a promotion. There is a lot going for it—the address, the ambience, the wines… and often the food. 

Rating out of 5

Food: 3.0, Ambience: 3.5, Service: 3.0 | Overall: 3.0

Meal for two: Rs 2000 (does not include alcoholic beverage) | Alcohol: Yes | Credit Card: Yes

Address: L'Angoor, Lobby Level, Tower C, Global Business Park, MG Road, Gurgaon

Phone No: +91 124 4061666/ 9958270000

Timings: Lunch- 12 Noon - 3pm; Dinner: 7pm-11.15pm

Cuisine: Modern American

- Aalok Wadhwa

First published in Friday Gurgaon