Lunch with Masterchef Kunal Kapoor at Diya, The Leela Kempinski, Gurgaon

I was happy and excited to have received an invite to meet the celebrity Chef, Kunal Kapoor. It was not only an opportunity to meet a Masterchef but also to savour the dishes he had churned out especially for us.

Diya, is a fine dine Indian cuisine restaurant at Leela Kimpinski and offers a soul soothing ambience. The décor was stylish in an understated tone. Natural lights from wall-to-wall high windows complimented the lights from beautiful hanging lamps. The relaxing sound of water from fountain at the center of restaurant had a calming effect.

Kishan Bhature Wala, Gaffar Market, Karol Bagh, Delhi

[Rating: 3.5/5]

Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh is known for all sorts of electronic items available. However, it has some vintage food outlets and I do mean decent VINTAGE running over a few decades.

Today I am sharing my visit to a 50 year old shop famous for it's chole bhature. Street food lovers would love this place. Tucked in the corner as one enters Gaffar Market, 'Kishan Bhature Wala' hits you in your face. You can't miss this shop opened in 1960 and has been serving delectable chole bhature since then.

Slice of italy, Pitampura, Delhi

[Rating: 2.5/5]

I love my Pizza and Pasta. On my last visit to KFC at Netaji Subhash Place metro station, I had noticed this new outlet of Slice of italy next to it. We decided to try it out. Having heard very little about Slice of italy, I was looking forward to it.

We reached the joint around dusk and could see glowing mosaic of colors on it’s signboard. This was a small restaurant with approximate seating capacity for 20 – 25 people. Interiors were nicely lit and well decorated. There were only two more tables occupied besides ours.

Jain Shikanji (Lemonade), Modinagar, Ghaziabad

[Rated : 4/5]

High temperature during summers can be taxing. One needs a cooler to overcome the heat and loss of fluids in body due to sweating. Many drinks does the trick like aerated drinks, juices etc. But a cooler that offers the benefits of health, taste and cold retreat all in one is a Shikanji - a Lemonade !!!

During this summer on my way to Meerut, while approaching Modinagar (appx 20 Kms before Meerut), I saw many boards promoting “Jain Shikanji”. Had heard a lot about it and decided to try one at it. This shop is located on main road, just after the Modinagar Police Station. The first thing I noticed was the crowd in front of the shop. As I waded through it, I heard POP… POP… POP… Yes, you guessed it right… the sound of soda bottle caps being opened in quick succession by the Shikanji makers.

Best Restaurants in North Delhi and West Delhi

I have been a resident of North Delhi since birth. As I can recall during my school and college days (am talking mid to late 90s…am not that old!), there were few good restaurants one could go to. Many would remember good old 'Nirulas' on Bunglow street in Kamla Nagar or 'Invitation' in Ashok Vihar or 'Richie Rich' near Shalimar Bagh maybe. As the economic prosperity set in over decade of 2000, and Pitam Pura and Rohini took shape, a whole lot of good eating joints have mushroomed and made name for themselves in the North and West Delhi. 

Lassi and more

Lassi is one of the favourite coolers in summers in northern part of the country. I happen to have visited at three famous places serving Lassi as one of their specialty. Two of these are in Meerut, a small but fast growing city in UP and one in north Delhi. Here is my account of Lassi scouting good Lassi.

1. Lassi Corner Shop, Sadar Bazaar, Meerut :

This shop is located in old Sadar bazaar near the entrance gate to the market. It serves Lassi by the dozen in one go. I found lots of orders hitting from customers standing as well as from neighbouring shops. I saw the Lassi being made in front of me in an big vessel having the mixer. The Lassi was garnished with a thick layers of malai and almonds. For the first time I saw Malai coming out of a handheld machine churning out strips of Malai. The presentation looked good and inviting. However, as I took my bite into the Malai I found it to be synthetic although the Lassi tasted nice. The combination of almonds with Lassi didn’t work for me. Priced at Rs.15, I found this to be an average experience.

2. Hariya Ki Lassi, Teen Kurti Bazaar, Meerut :

Tandoori Chicken - Hans Raj Chicken Corner, Meerut

[Rated : 4/5]

Meerut city is full of surprises. Every time I visit here I am able to stumble upon decade old shops serving their specialty cuisines. And most of them have maintained high standards in taste over time.

Desirous to have Tandoori snacks, I was referred to a family run joint in the name of “Hans Raj Chicken Corner”. The place had a live barbeque grill in front of the shop. Smoky aroma of fresh meet and spices filled the air. I could see chicken, mutton and fish available in all variety ranging from seekh, tikka,

Pind Balluchi, Great India Place (GIP), Noida

[Rated : 3.5/5]

Pind Balluchi is a known restaurant in Delhi NCR for their food at prices catering to the middle class. We had a nice Saturday evening with our cousins at a bowling alley in Noida after which we decided to visit Pind Balluchi in GIP mall. The restaurant located on the 3rd floor near the elevators allows quick access to the hungry souls.

Dhaba - A Punjabi Theme Restaurant, Rajouri Garden, Delhi

[Rated : 2/5]
Punjabis love their chicken and we were in the mood to treat ourselves with sumptuous chicken preparations. Searching for a restaurant, we noticed ‘Dhaba’ in Rajouri Garden, which had ‘A Punjabi Theme’ written under it’s name. The name struck a chord and we entered the restaurant.

The ambience was striking with its high ceiling. Wooden furniture made with rope, pickle jars on a wall, life size replica of a Dhaba kitchen with a truck parked in front of it, waiters dressed in ethnic Punjabi dress and bronze cutlery added to the feel of a village Dhaba.

Geoffrey's, Palms Club, Sushant Lok, Gurgaon

[Rated: 2.5/5]

Geoffrey’s showcases an interesting ambience made from wood and matching furniture reminiscent of an old English style pub. I met an old and dear friend, Milan Naik, at Geoffery’s to catch-up on the old times. The entry to the restaurant is through the lobby of Palms club which was filled with gentle fragrance of lemongrass; instantly relaxing my tensed up nerves after a hard day at work.

Hotel Mohan, Ashok Vihar, Delhi

[Rated: 3/5]

Two of my school time friends (Ashish and Ankur) decided to catch up and have a good time. We zeroed in on Hotel Mohan, one of the oldest restaurants in Ashok Vihar area of north West Delhi. The restro bar was large and appeared enough to accommodate nearly 40 to 50 people. The joint was rather dimly lit but was buzzing with energy. Unlike some of the other restro bars I have visited in south Delhi and Gurgaon, this was an all male affair. An IPL game between

Chinese Fast Food Ban Sai, Kamla Nagar, Delhi

[Rated : 3.5/5]

Kamla Nagar ( popularly known as Knags) is known as one of the hottest shopping destinations in north Delhi. What many people do not know is the mushrooming of Chinese outlets in the back alleys of this market, serving hot, spicy and tasty food at reasonable price. With student population from outside Delhi increasing each year, such joints offer value for money Chinese cuisines. I went into a back lane running parallel behind famous bunglow road which is lined up with big food chains

Saravana Bhavan, Connaught Pace, New Delhi

[Rated: 2.5/5}
Our hunger pangs were at its peak post the fun outing on Saturday at the Nehru Planetarium. Among various food joints that were at our disposal in CP area, it was my son who made the final selection. “Papa…Idli is what I want”. And lo…we landed up at Saravana Bhawan at Janpath. I am aware of the popularity this chain enjoys and hence, was little apprehensive about the wait time. My fears came true as we waited patiently for 20-minutes outside the entrance, ignoring all my better senses to try out the new McSpicy burger at McDonald just 10 steps away. Finally we got our place and immediately ordered few plates of Idli (Rs 60) and a mini Tiffin (Rs 85) which had combo of mini Dosa, mini Idlis, Rava Khichdi & Kesari Bath. The restaurant was clean but the replays of Michael Jackson song “remember the time” at near loud volume was very irritating. One would normally expect some Carnatic music to enjoy the soulful South-Indian meal.