The Darzi Bar & Kitchen
Address: H 55, First Floor, Connaught Circus H Block, CP, New Delhi.
Meal for two: Rs. 1,000 plus taxes
The Darzi Bar and Kitchen is another addition to the culinary map in Connaught Place. The food destination is a desi take on Saville Row, London (a street in Mayfair, central London, known principally for its traditional bespoke tailoring for men). The restaurant has unique, aesthetically designed interiors adorned with sewing machines. As you climb the stairs to the first floor, you are welcomed by a giant pair of scissors decorated on the wall. Walk past it to find yourself in a trial room replete with design samples and reels of thread. There are walls full of drawers of all sizes, others with a varieties of hangers, and meter tapes lining the table tops—everything that a dressmaker would have. Along a swanky bar, you will find a bartender/tailor making cocktails for you as per your taste and liking.
Located in the heart of the national capital, The Darzi Bar and Kitchen is a gastro-pub, which is spread across two floors with an area of 5,500 sq. ft. The venue seeks to offer a unique set of concoctions and food trends that are a class apart with a “tailor-made cocktail bar”.
The Gastro-Pub serves Indian and European cuisine with selections befitting individual tastes. The menu features some really exotic vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes and exclusive cocktails. The food too in keeping up with the theme of the restaurant has been tailor-made to amuse your taste buds. This place serves regional food as well and gives it a contemporary twist that makes for an interesting fusion food.
Among appetizers, the popular tikkas get an innovative spin. The “Kandhari Paneer Tikka”, that I tried, was soaked in pomegranate and beetroot juice and later cooked with spices. It had a pleasingly sweet and tangy flavour.
Next thing I ordered was the crunchy “Aloo Khumani Ki Tikki” which was topped with beetroot juliennes and choley but it was the green pudina chutney that gave it a star status.
Apart from the fusion dishes, in the main course you can try the signature “Master Ji Ki Daal”. It’s a creamier and tastier version of that is served with naan stuffed with dry fruits. It’s so filling that you can go without food for a few days.
Later we went to try “Malai Soya Chap”. Soya was marinated in the paste of cashew nuts, cream, and spices in the dish. It was well grilled and turned out to be a delicacy hard to miss with rich flavors of cashew.
In desserts there aren’t too many options. I tried and liked the “Shahitukda”, a muffin with saffron milk, choco chips, mint and ice cream. The dessert was so delectable you could end up having two of them. “Darzi Ki Gullak” was also on my list. Don’t expect it to be very sweet but definitely worth it.