{Niche} - Lounge & Bistro, Connaught Place - A Review !

Sometime ago I was invited to  "Niche - Lounge and Bistro" , in CP. Ever since it's launch, this place has been the talk of the town!

Looking at the lounge, you can tell that it is a formal establishment that caters to a niche audience. It has beautiful, calm and quiet interiors, with a private area as well as an option of outdoor seating. There is a stage in the middle of the lounge for live performances, and the entire thing is under a glass ceiling, allowing one to view the romantic starlight cosmos!

We started off with trying their signature cocktails. The "African Daisy", which is inspired by the famous perfume by Marc Jacobs, is presented with such beauty and elegance that it is sure to win you over before you take a single sip. It is a chamomile and tequila based drink, and it has a very strong, and mildly bitter, taste. An egg is blended into the drink, which adds to the pungent taste and smell, in such a way so as to not lose the intricate balance of its components. Overall, not my favorite tasting cocktail, but definitely the most visually appealing one!

I also tried their mocktail "Kaffir Lime". This is a combination of lime and spicy pineapple marmalade. It was as soothing as it was refreshing!

Next, we had their very popular "Pulled Kathal (JackFruit) Taco" . There is a delicious gravy of JackFruit inside the crisp taco. The overall combination was mind blowing, and definitely one of those "Oh wow I didn't know these two went together!" moments! Served with Salsa and Sour Cream, though it really needs no accompaniments.

I learnt that at Niche, the dishes are prepared using what is called "Progressive Cooking". This helps in retaining natural flavors and textures in their dishes.

One such dish was the "57 Degrees Duck". The duck is slow cooked for 6 hours at 57 degrees, in order to retain as much of the juices as possible, and by not straining them out of the protein strands. (This same technique was used by Heston Blumenthal in order to make his perfect beef steak, which was slow cooked over 24 hours. Read more about it here) 

Next, we had a beetroot and goat cheese salad. Honestly, the salad was so pretty looking that I just didn't feel like eating it. I would have sat there and stared at it all day, if not for someone at the table going for that first bite :P. Once we did though, I found the salad to be very light, and the portion size disproportionately lower than its price.

Coming to the Mains, we had Hari Saag and Lamb Shank Rogan Josh. It happens rarely, that I find a main course to ever be more interesting than starters, and this was one of those times. The mains were definitely taking in all the limelight here!

Haari saag is basically Sarson ka saag, served with Polenta balls, accompanied by corn bread. It is a complete meal in itself, and I can safely say that this is the best Sarson ka Saag that I have ever had in whole life, even better than the one my mom makes!

And finally, the hero of the day! The Lamb Shank Rogan Josh is sheer brilliance put on a plate. The meat is cooked till it is tender and melts in your mouth, the juices are totally retained in the meat (The kind of juiciness that can only be achieved by vaccum sealing the meat before cooking it), and the spices are balanced perfectly. The curry is authentic and mildly spicy, and yet not heavy or greasy. Everything about this dish, from its Presentation to its Taste, is top notch!

After this massive haul, I had no space left for desserts. This time I was determined to stop here, or I would literally suffer in the hours to come. But then the waiter brought in a Mango Cheesecake. Mango. Cheesecake. Of course I had to try it! Quite honestly not the best cheesecake I have ever had, but still, good enough that I went in for a second bite when I was slipping into a food coma.

The service here is not only quick, the staff appears to be well trained in both the menu, as well as ettiquette. Food served with a smile and a warm attitude, makes that much of a difference in your meal, and maybe even your entire day!

Overall the experience was amazing. Quite an expensive place to be.. but nevertheless, every once in a while, you have got to indulge yourself!

Rating :

Ambiance            - 4.5 / 5

Food                    - 3.5 / 5

Service                - 5 / 5

Value for Money - 3 / 5

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Overall Rating     - 3.5 / 5

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Cost for 2 - Rs. 1,200 to 1,500 (Without Alcohol)

P.S - Most pictures are here from Mystic Foodie Mantra, as I happened to lose all my data. Big thanks to Maneesh Ji,  inviting me for #TheMessa at Niche 

Chi Asian Cookhouse - Food & Restaurant Review

Chi Asian Cookhouse, invited me to taste their special menu for review.

India is well known for its spices, and when we talk about Indian street food, Indo-chinese is something which never fails to grab my attention.

Well, but today I'm not talking chinese food, I'm talking about a restaurant that brings an authentic taste to the Asian platter - Chi Asian Cookhouse!

Located opposite to the famous street shopping market of Janpath, it is found on the first floor. The positivity starts building up right at the entrance, the ambience giving you a breath of fresh air.

Ambience:

The restaurant is very lively, with a summery-bright look to it. There is a large bar area and still there is plenty of space for dining.

It has a subtle classy look to it, and the interiors have been artfully colors with bright splashes of color. Something that really caught my attention there was the decoration on the wall, using crockery. Quite a unique way to use your own wares for decor!

The place itself is quiet and peaceful, making it perfect for a family dining experience.

Food:

Coming to the most exciting thing.. food! I was greeted with a hard core Pan Asian menu, my attention was mainly going to their wide choice of seafood. We were also pleasantly surprised by a customized menu, offering us an epic list of specials, as well as new and upcoming items!

If you are anything like me, and have a thing for Mughalai cuisine (especialli Biriyanis!), this place will rock your socks off. The staff are also very helpful and knowledgeable about the dishes they are serving you, going so far as to name off individual ingredients and spices!

We started our meal with Soups. The Chiang hai glass noodle soup came in a large bowl, filled to the brim with vegetables, boiled chicken, and the famous glass noodles. I greatly enjoyed the texture of the noodles in contrast to the richness of the clear soup. A must try for Soup and Noodle aficionados.

The Dim-Sums came next, firstly the Prawn Cheung Fun, followed by the soupy pork dumplings. I expected the soup to mess with the texture of the filling, but it was prepared in such a way so as to keep its structure. Very nicely done! The Prawn Cheung Fun is essentially a prawn, rolled inside steamed rice and served with soy sauce. Loved this one too!

We were pretty confused when we saw a bunch of crumpled up banana leaves on the plate when we realized they were dumplings made with sticky rice, wrapped and cooked in the leaf to give it a very subtle pinch of flavor. Needless to say we enjoyed it immensely.

As we tried to convince ourselves we weren't full, a plate of Jasmine Rice came by. The aroma hit us well before the plate came into our sights. Combined with Kimchi spiced vegetables and cheating chilli prawns (The name really fascinated me :P). I was not really a fan of the vegetables, but the chilli prawns more than made up for it!

The Drinks

I think that one of the biggest highlights of that hot day, was the out-of-this-world mocktails.

We first ordered a Beijing Martini, and a Watermelon Cooler. The Beijing martini is perfect for pepper lovers like I, with cranberry juice providing a perfect base for mixing the pepper and balsamic vinegar.

We didn't quite enjoy the watermelon cooler, so we decided to try another round. This time we also called for the Tokyo Cobbler - A lychee based drink, served in a tall glass with rose essence.

This drink was the hero of the day. One of us found it very close to too sweet (while the other has no taste buds and is wrong :P), but it was super refreshing, and looked SO BEAUTIFUL.

Finally the dessert arrived. Coconut pancakes served with vannila ice-cream and various sprinkles.

I was so full that I decided to pass on this, but my partner decided to try a small bit. He ended up eating nearly the entire thing, raving on an on about it to every staff member who would listen.

This place surely is among my go to places around Central Delhi, for a nice family meal.

Ratings -

Ambience - 4/5

Staff & Service - 4/5

Food & Drinks - 3.5/5

Value for Money - 3/5

Overall Rating - 3/5

The Lunch Experience at The California Boulevard, Gurgaon

Weekend calls for the break from the kitchen. To enjoy our weekend to the fullest, the boy and I decided to go for a hefty lunch at The California Boulevard in Sector 29, Gurgaon.

Our experience at California Boulevard was a very pleasant one. Located right next to IFFCO Chowk, the place was easy enough to find. We made our way inside and were very impressed with the decor. The restaurant is based on the classic Hollywood theme.

The Ambience

The interior had a vintage diner look, along with a sun-lit outdoor seating area, which doubled as the smoking area of the restaurant. As it was the lunch time and the Delhi heat is unbearable, we decided to sit inside. The chairs looked more like a recliner, giving it a laid back relaxed look.  Clean white table and shining cutlery won my heart. I like the places which gives you a luxurious feel.

Outdoor sitting has an ambience inspired from L.A. beaches; the shack look and the surfing boards complimented it.

The interiors and the feel of the restaurant is very Hollywood, classic and vibrant with digital screens all over showing the posters of golden classic actors and movies from the renowned Hollywood.

The Service.

Up on our arrival we were greeted by the staff with welcoming smile and great enthusiasm, I mean how often you visit a diner, where the staff gives you full attention and is always available even when the restaurant is totally full. Hats Off for that.

The person who assisted us to the table, throughout the time was at our service. As and when food came, he served it with a grand and pleasant smile.

After having our drinks and starters, the head chef of the restaurant also paid us the visit, to know about experience and to ask as to what we would like to have in the main course. The head chef is a jolly guy, who will recommend you his dishes.

The Food

We started with an assortment of delicious appetizers. First came the 'Dilli ki Chaat', which was a dish very similar to a sev puri, opting to use a roasted spinach leaf instead of the traditional puri, making it an healthy option to begin with. It was loaded with mint chutney and savory tamarind chutney and garnished with yogurt. I just cannot forget the taste of the classic chaat, it is still fresh in my memory.

This was followed by a platter of Bruschettas. I’m a huge fan of this Italian appetizer but not every one makes it right. The right amount of crispiness, olive oil and cheese on it is an art which very few can master. I’m so pleased to have it, because it was one of the best bruschettas I’ve ever had.

Then came Beer Batter Fish; I’m not a fan of fried fish, so I gave it a pass. Nonetheless, it truly looked tempting.

Mutton Gaulatti Kebabs are worth the mention. So soft, so gooey … It melted in the moment as we had it. (Pure Bliss!) and to finish things off, we ordered DELICIOUS meat fondue, served with bite sized pieces of Lamb and chicken and molten cheese, fries and crackers. It truly was a cherry on the cake. ( It’s a Must have)

Loaded up on their insane appetizers, we decided to skip straight to dessert. We called for a White Chocolate parfait and the 'TCB Kulfi Gazzak'. The Kulfi was easily one of the best I have ever eaten, and I was extremely tempted to get another, despite being full to the brim.

Closing out with a Bubbl Champanska and a traditional Hawaiian Chi Chi, we bid the restaurant farewell. From the quality of the food, to the range of choices, to the utmost service quality of the attending staff, The California Boulevard has definitely earned a place in our "Must go back" list!

Cost for two – 1500 INR (without alcohol)

Ambience- 5/5

Service- 4.5/5

Food- 4/5

Uniqueness – 4/5

The Colony Bistro, Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar IV- Chillax and Quirky

The Colony Bistro 

Smack in the middle of the busy market of Amar Colony where street food rules, you’ll find a breath of freshness and quirkiness. The Colony Bistro in their own words is the place to “kick-back, relax and indulge in some mouth-watering treat “.  

The Ambience

Quirky, Fun Cozy Decor!

Beautiful wall art and complimenting Cushions!

As I saw the place from outside, I was sold to try it out as the ambience looked kickass.  It has a very refreshing, young and lively yet cosy feel. When I walked in the beautiful street art on the wall caught my sight and it was beautiful. To go with it the furniture and the cushions are perfectly matched. I have to say the extra soft huge colourful cushions say nothing but “kick-back and relax”. Overall the place has a very chilled out and lively ambience.

The Food

They offer a nice range of cuisines like Chinese, Italian, Continental and Indian. They have amazing twists to the appetizers and drinks. To begin, I ordered a refreshing pint of beer and along with that came a cocktail glass filled with salted peanuts.

It was a hot and humid evening so my friend and I decided to refresh ourselves over the beer pints only but I must tell you, the cocktails and mocktails on the tables next us looked quite drool-worthy. Next time I’m sure to give them a try.

They have a huge variety for non-veg lovers, from sea-food to chicken and from lamb chops to bacon. Not that they lack in options for vegetarians but with beer my friend I wanted to get a taste of their non-veg platter. My friend, who has previously been here also suggested me to try their dish-to-fame the Lemon Grilled Fish with Sautéed Vegetables.

Scrumptious and Filling Non-Veg Platter 

The platter consists of chicken steak, chicken wings, chicken nuggets, spaghetti, buttered mashed potatoes, garlic bread, wedges and sautéed vegetables. All the platters they offer are well thought. The chicken wings were nicely done, however, I am not a fan of steak but my friend thought it was cooked just fine. The mashed potatoes, spaghetti and vegetables were perfect to go with all that chicken. However, the quantity of spaghetti was minimal. I loved the chicken nuggets the most in the platter.

Mouth watering - Lemon Grilled Fish!

The Lemon Grilled Fish was mouth-watering. It didn’t smell of fish and it was cooked perfectly. I love the fish which just melts away and this was one such occasion. I recommend the lemon grilled fish to everyone. Even if you are not a fish lover, just give this one a try and you won’t regret it.

At the time of desserts, we decided to go with the blueberry cheese cake. It was good and gooey like any other cheesecake but nothing special. Next time I will try something different, so will let you how that went.

Overall Experience

The music is nice and soft in the day which as the evening progressed got little bit loud as the crowd starts to come in at that time, but it was never too loud to interfere in a conversation. It is the perfect place to gossip, have a meeting or even a first date. They have justified their claim of being a place to kick back and relax.

The Colony Bistro also provides home delivery, online orders and pick-up’s. The online orders can be placed on their own site. Its easy and simple. If you are lucky you might get an on-going offer too and nothing makes my day more than discounts, offers and deals.

Suggestions

Even though the food was delectable and the ambience was warm & vibrant, the service however, seemed a little slow. We had to wait more than the usual time for not just food but the drinks too. Their staff is polite and welcoming, they only need to buck up on their service.

Ambience – 4/5

Food – 4/5 (extra .5 for the lemon grilled fish)

Service – 3/5

Value for Money- 3.5/5

Cost for two= Rs 1000/- (without Alcohol)

So, if you are in the vicinity or visiting Lajpat Nagar IV for some shopping time with your girls, head to The Colony Bistro for chillax soulful evening.

Until next time!

Keep Rocking

Minal*

Editor’s Note- I had a gala evening at this restaurant, next in my foodie wishlist from this place is lamb bacon burger and blueberry mojito. I loved the feel of this place and I will surely pay my visit super soon

*edited by Prachi