An ambitious project, House of Commons is set right in the heart of Connaught Place, an area that is already bustling with eateries – old favourites, legendary gems and shiny newbies. Plunging into this crowd of competitors, CP’s latest entrant brings its own USP, and works with a British theme that influences not just the ambience and decor, but also the menu.
The name, of course, is a give-away, borrowed from Britain’s Parliamentary House. The interiors, with wooden panelling, dim lights and beautifully designed motifs on the walls compliment the theme. I’m later told by the manager that the illustrations on the wall have been painted by artists who are part of the Delhi Street Art Project. Iconic images, firmly part of the British landscape, culture and life line the walls – a London underground sign, the red double decker bus, a telephone-box, the London Bridge and more.
The lighting inside is dim, each booth cocooned in a little pool of shadows, with hazy threads of red and blue glow from the coloured lights. We have arrived when its still early evening, and the music has only climbed a few notches, inching towards loud, but still conducive to conversation.
The open bar is tucked in one corner, and the walls surrounding it lined with paraphernalia from British football clubs. The pub favours a kind of rustic, laid-back vibe, complete with leather upholstery on the furniture, brick house treatment on the walls and exposed beams.
The menu that arrives is perhaps not entirely British, but we aren’t complaining. A kind of smorgasbord of world cuisines, it does include a few traditional British delicacies like the signature fish and chips but also offers Indian, Chinese, American and Italian options, among others. The chef recommends a mezze platter, and a portion of Bhatti Da Kukkad (tandoor roasted chicken), to start things off, and then proceed to the British Raj mac n’ cheese and the Goan Prawn Curry. We are mostly impressed by the dishes, the portions large and the food well-flavoured and hearty. The prawn curry, unfortunately, arrives cold, but this little hitch can perhaps be attributed to the temporary power outage that plunges the place in darkness. A special mention, though, is deserved by the Palak Patta Chaat, a delicious, innovative preparation.
It is our drinks that become the highlight of the place, each of them a work of art. They come pouring with vapours from the dry ice and swirling with colours.
We sample both the HOC Macdonald Windsor and the Smoked Apple Mojito, and are instantly impressed by both.
Both drinks, in their own way, play with subtle flavours, a punch of acidity and a tangy sweetness, adding new depths to familiar concoctions.
HOC’s menu is a definite selling point. The pub also goes easy on the theme, letting it emerge through symbols and motifs, and while some may wonder if the “British” theme is really brought out as much as it could have, the lack of a heavy handed approach is refreshing, and the place manages to do exactly what it intended – create an easy, casual environment to just relax after a long day.
