Zara Khake,Thoda Pachake... Yeh Hai Dilli meri jaan!

The food in Delhi…
DOES IT ROCK? OR IS IT ROCK?
As I investigate (with HT-CITY food guide) into some of the most ‘yummiest’ joints around…


FLAMING MUSTARD, Vasant Kunj Market
‘Flaming Mustard’ is named so, because of its bright orange-yellowed atmosphere that makes you a tangy taster from a docile and sophisticated eater. The tables are light orange & saffron colored, which somehow, do not miss the absence of linen. The architecture is done in a very snow-style, where the entrances are divided into two. The windows zoom the outside view, bringing the busy-life alive inside. Proudly calling itself, ‘Family Gourmet Restaurant’; this restaurant specializes in all Italian cuisines. However, it serves moderate Chinese and Indian food as well. Much impressed with the sizes of the helpings, the Italian food proved to be tempting and also, delicious. Though, the smell had no role to play throughout the meal, my taste buds didn’t seem to deny the ‘Lasagna’ look. They say, best friends gift mustard sauces to each other; I’d gift a noon full of Italian delights to my friend.

ANGAN RESTAURANT (Delhi Tourism), Dilli Haat
The Delhi State Civil Supply Cooperation, (also called Aangan Restaurant) has most of the tempting chat-pat menu anywhere in Dilli Haat. With gol gappe and aloo ki tikkis and chats, this stall was supposed to be buzzing with people. However, this little food court has all sorts of ‘Dilli’ ki choices, yet it fails to grab the masale-dar taste buds of any eater. With food served in paper plates, the aloo tastes un-cooked and bland, the chatney has nothing spicy & the gol gappa water is tasteless and smelly. This ‘Aangan’ stands in the right-most corner of all the food stall entrance. It’s the stall, where old flowers are still hanging and lighting is done in a horizontal ‘z’ fashion. Though the linked Kulfi wale bhaiya can be seen from far away, the point is- Is it worth ‘the’ try?

ANANTHA RESTAURANT ( Kerela Tourism), Dilli Haat
There is nothing special about Anantha, except the food. The paper masala dosa is not just crispy but is also thin and easy to melt in the mouth. No other South Indian restaurant can match up to it’s masala. The payasam here is thin and more milky, unlike the Punjabi style of kheers. The light green banner of Anantha is not just visible from a distance but also speaks for it’s specialty in Keral food. Also, Kerela’s known fish food made in Rasam syrup, is worth dying for. If you’re out in Dilli Haat and missing out the doubly crisped vadas and the mouth-watering sambher, you’ve missed out ‘Anantha’ (pun intended)…

ALFRESCO (Nagaland Tourism), Dilli Haat
Delhi, rather Dilli, has never been so Naga-land before, with Alfresco offering the most ‘different’ platters from the very-many restaurant in Dilli Haat. One wants to experiment the food here repeatedly, not just for a single quick-bite but practically for the entire menu. The visible layers of the pork made me want to try it again and again to compliment or comment. Though, I’m not going to praise the food much, because Naga-food is also about setting one’s taste buds for it’s like. Interestingly, the concept of the wet and dry vegetables is based more on the smell(s) and taste(s), than by the looks. I do not recommend this place to all. But, I do recommend this place to all the food-adventurers, who could come and form a personal opinion(s) on the food. The décor however, is sleek.

DARBAR-E-AWADH (UP tourism), Dilli Haat
Darabar-E-Awadh, takes you into time, when meals were once called ‘royal feasts’. With Galawati Kababs crushed and layered on the plate, each bite of the fried keema, made me feel one step closer to heaven. Simply, the specialty of the kababs and biryanis elevate your senses. The UP and Lucknow-y food is a delight in Dilli’s Haat. At times, the smell may even drive you to walk opposite – in order to taste the irresistible. The food presentation, on the other hand, is highly a visual. With services of playing ‘Frisbee of plates’ with customers, it may become one of the reason to avoid the eatery.

GOLDEN DRAGON, Vasant Vihar Market
Golden Dragon has forever been known for its Chinese. It’s about time we realize that Golden Dragon literally rocks with sea food. Crab with ginger garlic sauces can compel you to eat even the shell! Cooked and garnished with the chef’s special salts, the coated crabs are not just magical, but they are magnetizing. The sweet corn soup is available with either chicken, veggies or crab meat; allowing a freedom of choice(s) to the eaters. The Date pancake, is however, one of the best desserts I’ve ever tasted. Served with Ice-cream, it makes the delicacy even more unavoidable! My experience in The Golden Dragon forces me to go and support the common cliché, of calling it “simply the best!”.

BIJOLLI GRILL ( West Bengal Tourism), Dilli Haat
And again, stall number 17, wants to be re-titled by HT city’s Eating Out as ‘one amongst the top three restaurants in Dilli Haat’. With fish-curry as the Bengali specialty, I happened to be one of the luckiest person, to get the last few pieces of fish. Not being too regionalist, this place was actually full of Bengalis. Moreover, the only waiter in the restaurant took orders in Bengali. Therefore, after listening & observing people around me, calling him ‘dada’ actually helped! However, the food was classic. Cooked in the most royal sauces, the fish melted in the mouth. Plus, the supremacy of the quality of fish is commendable. The quantity of rice was also pretty generous for an appetite. The food presentation however, was nominal. But most of all, the only advice I could give is, it being a Bengali restaurant, if you’re eager for sweets, you better be there on time!

ASSAM FOOD STALL,(Assam Tourism), Dilli Haat
I wonder why momos and fruit beers are just ‘special’ in the Assam Food Stall, Dilli Haat. After one bite into that yum chicken momo, the word is not ‘special’; it’s ‘greed’. No one can eat just one. Your mouth can go on watering and you keep ordering. Even the waiter kind of cooperates with your sudden ‘bad eating habits’ because you can openly watch, how normal eaters become gourmets, here. With the aromatic captivation of most of your senses, the Assam tea is worth a try. The purplish design of the kitchen, is pretty much exclusive. The dark green banner of ‘Assam Food Stall’ is visible from far away. If you haven’t tried this stall, I don’t blame you completely. Maybe you’re a vegetarian, or maybe… you’re just missing away all the fun.

HASH, PVR Priya Complex, Vasant Vihar
The restro-bar, Hash, is a cool hangout place for teenagers mostly to disco & drink and does not much however, serve as an eating joint. During the day time, in spite of people hardly being there, the retro music plays to full blast. With an absolutely normal style in the preparation of food, there wasn’t much difference in the Malai Kofta I have at home and here. As a matter of fact, even the fried vegetables were more salad-like than fried. I don’t seem to appreciate the food at all. Perhaps it is the free entries for girls in the disc, the subsidized couple entries and the better offers at drinks that brings to Hash, the reason why it shouldn’t close down now.

ARABIAN NITES, PVR Priya Complex, Vasant Vihar
Lebanese food in Priya Complex is a washout of vision. The laziz tandoori items that can be smelled quite some distance, are a great way to catch the attention of hungry movie-watchers. Arabian Nites is a place with nominal price tags on bland yet marinated chicken that becomes luscious with every bite. However, the showrmas are better off. Considerably much more handy and much more spiced, the showrmas are more in business than grilled chicken. Grilled Chicken on the other hand is served with Khubuz (Lebanese bread) and Humus (Chicken and peas dip). Paneer tikkas are also available on request for vegetarians. With free home delivery this place runs till half an hour to midnight. Sufficing the need for two people in a go, hundred and forty for half a plate of grilled chicken isn’t a bad deal at all…What say?

CHOKO- LA, PVR Priya Complex Vasant Vihar
For the Mayars ‘choko-la’ meant- the food of goods. Offering juices, smoothies, hot & cold drinks, Italian breakfast, sweets, dessert collections, tea platters, soups, salad & sandwiches, bigger bites and finally chocolate lexicons on its menu; it is much more than a task (in itself) to decide what you want to eat/drink. With such a lot of choices in a ‘confusing’ menu, the choices thin down to perhaps- the specialty. Chocolates here are unavoidable, irresistible, unimaginable and also undeniable. The choice of music in this five star is pretty much Italian. Just like the style of furniture, uniform of the waiters, the bathroom fittings, and so much so, that most people in here are mostly-Italians. From the customers to the producers it’s Italiano-Indiano. Maybe that’s what helps India to get even more diverse!

ALPHA SPICE, Pussa Road
Alpha Spice follows a different style of serving their Indian and Chinese cuisines available, which becomes one of the most interesting things about this restaurant. They offer heavy Indian delicacies for breakfast and dinner, and the Chinese preparations make your lunch. It’s a combination of good food at an affordable price .A big portion of the heavenly crisp potato sticks deliciously coated with honey and chilly make a good head start to an enjoyable meal. While the various other main course meals are served satisfactorily. The main attraction of the restaurant appears to be its décor with its bright and attractive interiors. Also, a special mention needs to be made of its unique multi-square sectioned tables displaying an assortment of real spices, done up quite creatively. It is a rather amusing way of symbolically coordinating it to the name of the restaurant…Alpha SPICE!
-by Nupur Lamba

KADAI TADKA, Rajinder Nagar
Kadhai – Tadka, the restaurant, as the name suggests serves a variety of Indian dishes .Accompanying it would be a few common Chinese dishes for someone who does not want to indulge into a heavy Indian meal. It offers dishes like Hariyali Murg Tikka and Kadhai Tadka Murg, cooked in a number of Indian herbs and tasting average. The service, slows down the tempo of the restaurant even more. In my experience, the facilities and the food had nothing to be reviewed about. As it reflected, that it was made for the heck of the money. The ambience is monotonous and customary which makes the entire experience far from exceptional. It could just be called a place for the ones who eat to live and not for the ones who live to eat!
-by Nupur Lamba

BAITHAK,East Patel Nagar
The Baithak is a Mughlai food eatery. The place is congested and cramped. However, the Baithak’s Chicken Shiraz is ideal as a Chicken curry. The Perfect blend of salts and spices bring out it’s royal aroma. Also, the seekh kababs are uneven and slender, made from the handmade tandoor. The taste is extravagant. It makes finger-liking good mughlai food. There are many mughlai restaurants in Delhi, but only few can match upto the real Mughlai style of cooking. One thing is for sure, The shah rule did leave back a great history in the field of diverse Indian foods; practiced by all preached by a few.

CHASKAH, Rajouri Garden
Chaskah, as the name suggests is a convenient bar. It serves food most popular with liquor. In Rajouri Garden, Chaskah’s immediate attraction is the big-long mustached guard on duty outside (who does the evening duty most of the time). This bar is different in design and better lighted than most other bars. The food presentation is absolutely amazing here. With salad roses cut next to your crispy honey chicken very delicately, the food here is worth the wait. Though, the deserts here are pretty nominal, the experience altogether was also a was a lot more better. For all those Snack freaks out there-this is your place to be with the rocks!

DHABA-THE PUNJABI THEME, Rajouri Garden
Initially I thought it was a real truck till I could see it half embedded into the wall. The Dhaba’s USP is something which really takes care of their eaters’ memory shades. With the waiters dressed in the jat-punjabi- manner, Speaking to them was also about doing it in the Punjabi accent. Much impressed, I waited for the reshami kababs to present themselves, but before that the lassi came up. Pretty small a portion- for its priced value, the lassi was simply like sweet milk. However, the Specialty of Dhaba ‘the makhan panner’, did not disappoint me at all. Inspite of being a Punjabi myself, it was one of the best and most delicious Punjabi Makhan Panner that I’ve ever eaten. The Dhaba-the Punjab Theme, in Rajouri garden is a must for anyone who believes in eating it, in the Punjabi way.

GYAN’S, East Patel Nagar
The Gyan is a dhaba-converted-restaurant, in the lay man language. The most amusing aspect about the Gyan is that it brings its customers through a ‘black’ door entry. However, the mock tails here which are different from any other mock tails present anywhere else in Delhi, working on the concept of- all that glitters is not gold. For eg, when I ordered “pink” lady (a pomegranate and an orange citrus juice) the color was no where pink, orange or even yellow. It was a surprising light green! However, the food here is ‘moderate’ in all respects. As mentioned previously, the food here isquite the dhaba type, confined to only day to day eating. The Gyan in the East Patel Nagar, is a joint that can replace mom’s absence to one day of so called ‘eating out’.

THE KRISHNA RESTAURANT, Sarojini Nagar
The Krishna restaurant in Sarojini Nagar, is another sarojini shop that apart from selling common sarojini items, sells food. Though, bargaining on food here is strictly prohibited. With momos, Chinese, Indian(South and North) and sandwiches being offered here, vegetarian food is the genre .Also becasue most of Sarojini eating joints offer primarily only vegetarian foods. It is street food that has gained maximum popularity and therefore places like Krishna run on the fuel of ‘chattar-pattar’ food items. Krishna serves some yum sandwiches and alright south Indian foods. But, food perceptions may differ with differently set taste buds!

LAKSHWADEEP FOOD STALL, Dilli Haat
Lakshwadeep Food Stall in Dilli Haat, offers some of the most well-marinated, well-cooked and the most supreme quality of fish. With a vey sea-effect (through its banner) and with a very apt colour to the umbrellas, an eater remains confused to whether he/she is in lakshwadeep (by any chance), eyeing into other’s fish. However, the quantity of fish served is very limited and delicious. One of the reason why the eater gets restless in the middle of the meal, is because he/she has to order more; due to the less portion served. Though the portion of Appam Fish curry is too little (even for a single person); the fish curry is most deliciously cooked. While my only complaints are with quantity, quality is un-objectionable.

MAHAK RESTAURANT, Sarojini Nagar
Mahak Restaurant, By the Jarkhand Tourism, in Dilli Haat stands as stall no. 8. It offers various Jharkhand specialties. The Chicken Afghani Tikka was satisfactory but, the lassi was a refreshing drink. The gol-gappe ka pani was not hygienic at all. One of the customers stood their complaining about a mosquito in it. The service is seemingly alright, but the matching of the price to food is done up quite wrong. It was sad to see the un-interested people in the Jharkhand stall, maybe because, there was nothing too special in the food. Nothing from there could be called a ‘specialty’. To conclude, it just stands there as stall no. 8 waiting for people to come.

MAHARASHTRA FOOD STALL, Dilli Haat
Maharashtra Food stall in Dilli Haat is all about feeling ‘Mumbai-kar’. The real fun behind eating here is the meal-cum-snack dishes. The small servings of food are the kinds that make you further more hungry after every ‘meal’ you order. The problem is not the quantity and definitely not the quality, the problem here is the things on menu. A Pav Bhaji or a Bhel Puri is definitely not the end of a gourmet’s meal- so, you go on ordering more and more. The Shrikhand here is served with puris but can be eaten as a sweet-dish as well (on request). On the whole, the food eaten here is quite satisfactory yet not enough.

MANIPUR RESTAURANT, Dilli Haat
The Manipur Restaurant is one of the most clean food stalls in Dilli Haat. It has a greenish aura that creates a very ‘light’ environment for the eaters. The Veg Thupka is a delicacy here. Somehow, the Manipuri taste buds are highly susceptive to perfect blend of spice and salt. The thick viscous thupka soup is not just yummm but also irresistible. Also, the Yen Angonba (the dry fried chicken) is a complete package of a delicious starter. The most amazing thing about the Manipur food stall is the prompt service. This food stall in Dilli Haat aims at Manipur’s delights served on one plate.

MOHAN SWEETS AND FAMILY RESTAURANT, Sarojini Nagar
Sarojini Nagar is a sight, if ever observed. And what better a sight would you expect if you’re in the middle of the market eating chowmein from the Mohans? As much as entangled are the eatable spiced up ‘chinese’ noodles, the view outside is something much alike. It’s a place where one can stop by to count the number of notes left, to re-check on the shopping bags and also to re-energize one self. Somehow, quite unfortunately, Mohan’s delights are nothing out of the blue. It’s lay and highly common. Also, there is nothing special about the food. All that makes this place special is the way it is located between shops and ‘the’ things.

RAJASTHANI FOOD STALL, Dilli Haat
Rajasthani food had never been so original before. For me, the Rajasthani food stall earns it’s repute for its well supervised and prompt services and also for its excellence of food. Though the sequence of the order was wrong and opposite, I enjoyed the re-winded meal. Starting with, Matka Kulfi, and then Dal-Bati & chorma, finally followed by Moong Cheela, I was amazed with the variety of good-food. The dal bati chorma came along with three other veggies, which literally gave the meaning of existence to the bati. The Moong Cheela was far away from what I expected it to be, though it looked much like what I had expected it to look like. To conclude, if you’ve unable to try the matka–kulfi at this joint apart from other things of your choice, as a reviewer’s suggestion- Please do try it!

SHILLONG FOOD STALL, Dilli Haat
Shillong View, the Meghalaya Tourism food-stall, in Dilli Haat is basically a Tibetan joint. It caters more to a Tibetan food appreciator than to a Chinese food lover. The momos here are pretty juicy, though the red- spicy sauce is not worth the mention. The thukpas and the other Tibetan cuisines smell strong and tempting. Though, the Spicy Chicken with Onion rings is also worth the chew on. However, the chicken quality is more appreciated than the way it is cooked. Also because, it is cooked in a very ordinary fashion and therefore it has nothing extra-ordinarily exciting that could stimulate the taste buds. I would just call it a meal at a food stall.

SIKKIM FOOD STALL, Dilli Haat
The Sikkim Food stall, is one of my favorites. In Dilli Haat, the Sikkim food stall, prepares mostly sikkimese food, but the food is cooked very well. The Mixed Sikkimese Noodles are the best, out of all the Sikkimese joints I’ve tried. Though the fried mutton here, is only alright. However, the entire meal was very filling and in good proportions. Another set of stand-outs were- the Sikkimese idols that stood outside the food stall. Made with crane and black-polymer, these definitely became another attraction for the stall, apart from the food.

TANDORI NITES, Sarojini Nagar
Tandoori Nites in the Ring Road Market in Sarojini Nagar, gets added into my lists of favorites. With butter chicken that can tempt you to change the order of half plat to full, with shahi panner that can lure you to go over-budget, and with hot and juicy chicken tikkas to come into your dreams- This place is irresistible. The services here are prompt and are very efficient. The tandoor wale bhaiya is an absolute professional at his work. He makes rotis, serves tikkas to people and at the same time does the other work of this dhaba. Most amazingly, the food is also delicious. It’s been a great experience to be here, while I’m just going to hang on and wait for you to share yours with me.

BABOO SHAHI BAWARCHIWALA, Pragati Maidan
Baboo Shahi Bawarchiwala, near Matka Pir, in the Pragati Maidan, served me with different kinds of rolls. First was a single roll with kababs. The second was a double roll with egg and kababs & the third was a ‘special’ roll with special chutneys and kababs. Somehow, I don’t think that I got the chance to open my eyes, and understand the taste. They were, well in one word- addictive. I usually thought that the best food is priced the highest till I tried the Rs. 16 kabab rolls at Pragati Maidian. This place however is not very safe for girls, or as a matter of fact any individual alone. In groups and in bigger circles, the taste of kababs and rumali rotis is not just enjoyed quietly, but shared amongst jokes and laughs.

THE BANGLA FOODS PVT LTD, Bangla Sahib Marg
The Bangla Sweets on the Bangla Sahib Marg, is a restaurant trying to match up the food items of Haldiram, Bikanerwala and Aggarwals. Most of these food chains offer the real Indian food and are primarily vegetarian. Therefore, this food joint is able to grab a lot many vegetarian food eaters that buy only ‘their taste’. However, the thali here is very delicious and is cooked in the absolute Indian tadka. Moreover, the portion is big enough for a single person’s meal. The naans are very well cooked in the tandoor and make an enjoyable meal. To conclude, Bangla Food has a stand-up quality and affords many customers. With food being ready to cooked in the style you want it as- Hot-Spicy and Indian.

THE BHARATIYAM, Pragati Maidan
The Bharatiyam is the only restaurant in Pragati Maidan food city that is ready to offer the eaters whatever they wish to eat. With a fixed menu and with fixed stalls for each type of food, this was the only restaurant I wish to come back to, ever. The red USP is the clearest indication to its being. Bhartiyam works on the principle of self service yet the people, most smilingly are ready to offer any kind of help. Also, the banner is much visible from miles apart. The food however, is not to die for. It is not exceptional and definitely not special. It works the best with day to day of eating. It offers the kind of food that would really run had I come during the time of auto-expo, because then, this place would have been the only place for a ‘good and satisfying food’ vegetarian.

THE DHABA XPRESS, Gole Market
The Dhaba Xpress, on the Gole Market, has absolutely no characteristics of a restaurant. A clammed up area maintaining a moderate amount of hygiene, it has a prompt service with friendly faces to look forward to. The main dishes, be it butter chicken or kadhai paneer, seem to have the same base curry with no particular difference. More oily per say but passable with its nominal pricing it caters to once in a while eating. The butter chicken was bad in quality along with a very stiff and chewy chicken, pretty much uncooked. The part most looked forward to was the when the bill was served with a plateful of colorful saunf.
-By Naam Chakroborty

EMPEROR’S LOUNGE, The Taj Mahal Hotel
Emperor’s Lounge, as the name suggests is a little café near the waiting hall inside the Taj Mahal Hotel. Offering large and crispy looking chocolate chip cookies in the typical cookie jars, is a brilliant way of tempting the hungry. Also, the cheese pastry called ‘the marble cheese cake’ is heavy and quite filling. Transparent windows and cabinets blushing with truffles and mouse, the increasing hunger rate doubles immediately. Taj has forever known to be a stand out in terms of food and quality, being a five star. For me, they’re smart little money makers who now how to get it right from the pockets of the over-loaded.

THE FAMILY DELIGHT, Pragati Maidan
The family delight is a Mother Dairy restaurant. Initially, I wanted to order Cholle Kulche, unfortunately they were no more a part of the menu. Next I wanted to try the Pizza. Well, it was over. Next I wanted to try bhel puri and it was ‘supposed’ to be striked out of the menu. By the end, I sat down to eat what they could offer and what I could ‘possibly’ eat. With a cheese tomato sandwich, Mother Dairy lassi & the Mother Dairy chillz cone I went staright outside the stuffy and horribly heated restaurant, never to return again. Later on, when I was standing outside the restaurant did I understand the real meaning of monopoly inside the food city of Pragati Maidain. Maybe- that is why, Mother Dairy is much-much better in milk products than in restaurant business.

GALINA, Gole Market
Gole Market and Galina are inseparable. The fact that both the names start with ‘G’, is not just a co-incident. The Seekh Kabab rolls are highly simple and bland but somehow, allows the tongue to go ga-ga over the creations. Along with that the Panner tikka is soft and cut through. It nicely makes a place in your mouth and allows itself to melt like butter. Spices like garam masala and black pepper are sprinkled over the panner to allow even a better taste. However, the place is cramped and small. Spider webs are visible from a distance. More-over, the place being absolutely crowded at all times, it becomes hot and stuffy inside, with an attached kitchen. But as far as the co-incidence is concerned, it’s only because Gole Market is famous for Galina and vice versa.

GOURMET’S SHOPPE, The Oberoi
Oberoi is a five star that aims for perfection. The Interiors of Oberoi are not just absorbing but also stylish. The gourmet’s shoppe was under renovation when tried to be reviewed, however, the cooperative staff allowed food from the gourmet shoppe to be packed from the common kitchen. Specializing in pastries and continental sweets, the chocolate doughnut was chocolaty and very soft. The chocolate chip muffins was also the result of a very soft dough, later on baked in the chocolate sauces. However, not much was available. There was something absolutely different about the particulars of sweets offered here. Probably that most of the sweets were priced Rs. 55 and came from the “Oberoi’s”.

HOUSE OF MING, The Taj Mahal Hotel
‘The Taj Mahal Hotel’. The name itself speaks about ‘priced for quality’. The House of Ming in the Taj, is one amongst the top names in the field of creating an ultimate. Around five minutes of stay, compelled me to re-think if I was In India or somewhere in China, because this Chinese restaurant has the best ever ambience I have seen as far as of now. The food was extremely expensive but not THE best. However, the food was delightful and most ethically served. After the ambience it’s the service that is highly commendable. The pomfret sustained the greatest amount of the appreciation followed by the fried apple rings with Vanilla ice-cream. Though the shredded lamb was not too exclusive, it was delicious and simple like the Vegetable Noodles. The House of Ming is a place that can apprehend you to come again and again, but for a reviewer, it is not ‘the’ best for Chinese food.

OCCASIONS, Pragati Maidan
Occasions, as the name suggests is a place that works selectively during an occasion. This restaurant is an enterprise of a catering service. Also, they own a banquet hall where they do the catering in Pragati Maidan. This was the only food stall that offered non-veg anywhere else in Pragati Maidan food city. It was depressing to see no seating arrangement for the eaters, however, the nearby Mahatma Gandhi statue’s staircases do the honors to help the tired feet. With various persons to make either chicken rolls or chillas or even bread omelets in the outside, the hygiene is under supervision and therefore the quality is not looked at doubt. However, the food is very gingery and very subsidized in taste. Occasions, on the whole has nothing occasioned about it.

THE COCOA BY BELGIQUE, Select city Walk-Saket
The Cocoa By Blegique is one of the most sensational restaurants in terms of décor that I have seen as far as of now. Though in Select City Walk it is not a very big place, it is certainly done up most exquisitely. The bar looks attractive and appealing with various kinds of wines and champagnes kept in the most stylish manner. However, coming down to food, the chef’s special spicy chicken wings were nothing out of the blue. Tried and tested in many other places, it is not ‘exclusive’. Moreover, the Non-Veg Pasta here is also, pretty cliché in the world of Italian food. But, meat balls in barbeque sauce is something different in taste. According to the food served, I would call this place, over-priced. For all those people who fall just for the ‘looks’ and the ‘standard’ of select city mall, this might just be their kind of place, if they are ready- not to negotiate with the price.

With practically 38 restaurants covered...It's really upto the eaters to create standards, while reviewers give out their scores and ranks to the eateries....
out of all that i have reviewed, these would be my favourites,

Chinese-Golden Dragon, Vasant Vihar
Italian/ European-Flaming Mustard, Vasant Kunj
Tandoori food- Galina, Gole Market
Spicy Indian(Veg)- Bangla foods, Bangla Sahib Marg
Spicy Indian(Non-Veg)-Baboo Shahi Bawarchiwala, Pragati Maidan
Momos- Assam Food Stall, Dilli Haat
Street Chinese- Sikkim Food Stall, Dilli Haat
Chocolate specialties- Choko-la, Priya Complex

These are the places who recieve the food-oscars..but wait a minute, where are you off to? ...or did i just here you're going for luch?...and inviting me too...sure! let's go & review!!!

by dIKSHA gROVER

FILM REVIEWS

Some films grow up with us. They mature along with our understandings. This week I recommends three films, three great pieces of art, which will forever grow old with their viewers…


MAQBOOL
Vishal Bharadhwaj’s version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth; this film won a lot of critic appreciation. Macbeth meets Godfather in present-day Bombay. The Scottish tragedy is set in the contemporary underworld of India’s commercial capital. Two fortune telling policemen (Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah) take the role of the weird sisters and ‘Duncan’ is played by Pankaj Kapoor. There are a number of sequences that are well executed to such an ‘action’ effect. The contemplation of the protagonist after killing Abbaji & the anguish of the guilt ridden woman (Tabu) who begins to see blood stains on the wall are some of the most intriguing scenes. Though the film failed to entice much of the Indian audience, it has undoubtedly won 5 prestigious awards. I recommend it as a MUST WATCH.


THE THIN BLUE LINE
Errol Morris's unique documentary dramatically re-enacts the crime scene and investigation of a police officer's murder in Dallas. Murdering Robert W. Wood during a traffic stop; a 16 year old, David Ray Harris proves his innocence by leading the police to the car driven from the scene of the crime, in order to recover a revolver he identified as the murder weapon and subsequently identified a 28-year-old Ohio resident, Randall Dale Adams as the murderer. However, Adams was charged with the crime despite the better evidence against Harris as only Adams could be sentenced to death under Texas law. The film was marketed as "nonfiction" rather than as a documentary. It has won 7 awards & 4 nominations. I recommend this documentary to any individual ready to make some changes.


THE FILM CLASS
Uri Rosenwaks came to Rahat, ( Israel’s Negev Dessert ) to teach film making to a group of Bedouin women. When the Director first started working with the group, he had no knowledge of the Bedouin kidnappings in Africa by Arab slave traders, and how they were auctioned-off in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Zanzibar & thats how, 50 years ago, the Black Bedouins were enslaved by the White ones. But when he did, he along with his newly trained group worked up their nerves to make a film telling the history of Black Bedouins. In the course of making this film, a great taboo came into the open. The women still suffering discrimination to this day unveil a story in which only few, who dared, have spoken. I recommend this documentary to all who are proud of being born in the world of ‘equality’ yet are being ‘measured’ daily.


(The same article was written for DU beat, for the 19th February issue)