|
|
For
a gourmet there are multifarious choices, when it comes to food in
Delhi. The most popular cuisine is Mughlai, owing
its origin to the Mughals. They introduced a new style of cooking, using
clay ovens or tandoors, as they are known. The best traditional Indian
food presence can be seen from roadside stalls called dhabas to speciality
restaurants in deluxe hotels. Some of the popular dishes include braised
meat or korma, pot roasts or dum pukht, kebabs, pilafs and biryanis. For
those interested in continental cuisine, there is an ample variety
available in the restaurants of the capital such as Orient Express at Taj
Palace Hotel and famous fast food joints like Nirula's and Mc Donalds.
Fine Chinese and Thai food is also found at several restaurants in the
city including Baan Thai at the Oberoi and Spice Route at Hotel Imperial.
Fine South Indian food ranging from dosas and idlis to chilli hot Andhra
curries and coconut based delicacies from Chettinad and Kerala can be
sampled at Sagar and Dasaprakash.
The Restaurant Capital
From age-old eateries in the bylanes of the walled city to glitzy,
specialty restaurants in five-star hotels, Delhi is
a moveable feast. It offers a choice of Indian and international cuisines
in different ambiences to suit varied budgets.
The Traditional Flavour of India
For the more intrepid, eateries such as those at Paranthe Wali Gali in
Old Delhi, or Chaat at Bengali Market and Sunder Nagar, Bhelpuri at
Greater Kailash and Sweetmeats from Annapoorna and Ghantewala can be part
of the gastronomical tour of Delhi.
Delhi is also synonymous with the omnipresent tandoori chicken and
tandoori roti, which, when freshly had from the tandoor, makes a delicious
meal. This offer is available at roadside 'dhabas' at a moderate cost.
Dilli Haat
A delightful outlet offering a range of Indian cuisines are the food
stalls at Dilli Haat. Here, the cuisine of different states is made
available at reasonable rates. Set in the midst of a spacious crafts
bazaar these cafes are a very pleasant place to enjoy food.
Culinary Delights
The finest frontier cuisine is available at the Bukhara in Mayura
Sheraton, Frontier in Ashoka Hotel and Baluchi in Hotel Inter-Continental.
At the other end of the scale are the many popular roadside eateries
around Jama Masjid and Nizamuddin where Kababs, Rotis and Biryani are the
order of the day.
Every five-star hotel in the city has a Chinese restaurant. The
innumerable Chinese food outlets of the "meals-on-wheels" and
kiosk variety can gauge the popularity of this cuisine
The growing sophistication of the Delhite's palate is discernable in the
increasing number of specialty restaurants - Ei Arab in Regal building,
Dum Pukht or the process of slow cooking developed in Awadh in Maurya
Sheraton, Kashmiri food at Chor Bizarre in Hotel Broadway, Thai food in
the Oberoi and Sukothai Hauz
Khas village, Japanese food at Tokyo in Ashoka Hotel and Osaka at
Hauz Khas village, Tibetan food at eateries near Chanakya Theatre, and
Mexican food at Rodeo in Connaught
place.
Another indication is the frequency and popularity of food festivals
organised by hotels. South Indian food is another favourite, the
vegetarian variety of which is best enjoyed at Sagar in Defence Colony,
Sagar Ratna in Lodhi Hotel and Coconut Grove in Hotel Rangit. Coconut
Grove in Indraprastha Hotel offers excellent non-vegetarian cuisine from
South India.