With temperatures going down and chances of rain, terrace restaurants of Delhi are in demand. Some create terrace spaces just for the sake of putting their name in the category of a terrace restaurant and some really have beautiful open spaces. The newly launched ELF Lounge in Hauz Khas lies in the latter category.
It was the first thing on the left as soon as I entered the Hauz Khas village barrier or the F ‘n’ B border as I love to call it. Unlike other Hauz Khas properties, ELF was quite spacious with lots of wooden interiors which gave a nice rustic yet modern feel. Even the menu has changed completely and was quite an extensive one this time, with lots of Tex Mex and African influence.
Soup to kick my appetite always works best, and it was chicken goulash which came to the rescue. Not exactly made in the manner the native of Hungarians might do, still it was delicious. The flavour of paprika blended so well with the veggies that the goulash at ELF Café will surely bring me back. The Caribbean salad with strips of jerk chicken was also done quite well. I loved the way chicken was rubbed with the dry Jamaican jerk spice.
The popular South American street food dish, lamb empanada, lacked crunch and became a bit soggy by the time I tasted it, which really killed the body of the delicacy. The albondigas — basically lamb meatballs made in Spanish style — were good. The chef overcame the problem of the meatballs tasting bland after the coating of sauce disappears. The meatballs were flavourful and tender. I appreciated the concern of the chef who asked, “Sir, meatballs hard to nahi hain ?”
The banjara murgh, an Indian dish in the menu was pretty average as it lacked the spiciness of a typical banjara tikka. A craving for a meaty bite developed after tasting the banjara murgh, and I had to satisfy it. The only thing listed on the menu that could satisfy that urge was the tenderloin burger. I do remember earlier they used to make a patty of the mince, but this time it was some hardcore tenderloin strips stuffed in, with lots of cheese and veggies. Slightly well-done, which made it chewy, but even so it was a winner.
Nothing elfin about this satisfying meal. I left with just a spoonful of chocolate brownie in my mouth.
Meal for two: Rs 1500 plus taxes
