With a large number of restaurants spanning a range of cuisines dotting Delhi lately, the city can very well be called the country’s food capital now besides being the National Capital. For Mughlai food, you have been going to Purani Dilli but there is a lot more to try out in other parts of the city these days. Take West Delhi, for instance. A lot of restaurants have come up in the area over the last few years. Specially those that serve Indian food keeping the local clientele in mind.
This past week, I went to Aanch, an Indian cuisine restaurant in West Delhi. The USP of Aanch, I felt, apart from its tasty food, was its location. It is on the top floor of the Shoppers Stop Mall in Rajouri Garden, spread over 20,000 square feet. To make its customers feel wanted, Aanch also does small things. Like, my name was displayed on a nice colourful blinking electric board welcoming me.
I went through its extensive menu which had all the dishes one could ask for. I decided on a regular four course meal and began with a soup. Chef Ashish Massey served me tomato dhaniya ka shorba; the heightened tanginess of the brew didn’t quite thrill me though. Maybe a spoonful of cream would have balanced the taste better.
It was followed by starters. The tandoori jeenga was perfectly grilled and well seasoned. Raunaq-e-seekh was also juicy and tender. I liked the bit of extra creaminess in it. Khiley phool, a broccoli dish made in malai, came across as silky and tasty. Though I wished the chef would have kept it in tandoor for a few more minutes to get a golden earthy layer on it.
After the delicious starters, I was looking forward to the main course. As I was eating in a West Delhi restaurant, I opted for butter chicken and dal makhani, two make or break dishes for any restaurant to succeed in the area. And Chef Ashish, after admittedly 26 trials, had perfected the art of dishing out one of the most delicious butter chickens in town.
After such a taste in my mouth, I wanted to end my meal without tasting the desserts but the presentation of coconut cigars with ice cream tempted me. The cigars were refreshing.
Meal for two: Rs. 1700 to 2000
