The heart of Delhi, Connaught Place, is no doubt a hot spot for diners. Even though old restaurants shut down, new ones open. This is exactly the case with the address, B – 49, Inner Circle, Connaught Place, once associated with the multi-level restaurant Bonsai. Henceforth, it has got a new name, Life Caffé, a bistro-restaurant and a lounge that serves world cuisine.
Having got an invite to try out its dishes, I land up there. The menu at the all-day café has been designed carefully. There is a breakfast menu with some nice options. Be it fresh juices, eggs or my favourite, aloo and gobhi parantha. Health freaks can opt for a choice of cereals. I start with zuppa de tortilla. It is a soup, served piping hot. The texture is thick and has a nice flavour of jalapenos though the accompanying tortilla chips lack crispiness.
I try out its glass noodle salad, refreshing. Bean sprouts, celery, spring onions and cilantro are blended well with the piquant tamarind dressing.
Scanning the menu card, I find the appetizers pretty tempting and put my finger on koliwada fish fingers, served with tartar sauce.
Chicken chilly fry, Life Caffe’s tribute to the great tradition, scores ten on ten from me. These are chicken chunks with a nice crispy coating dipped in Oriental sauces. I try out the spicy fried calamari, it is a letdown. Batter of the calamari is too thick, too hard. However, the keema tarts are tasty. Good to bite on a crispy tart that has tender minced mutton.
Life Caffe also has options for the sushi lovers. They can go for the fotomaki platter.
They also have a dish of the day. The day I visit, it is the famous import from South Africa, bunny chow. It’s a bread loaf scooped out and stuffed with spicy masala bhajji. I ask the chef to add chicken in bhajji and it turns out to be a finger licking dish.
Those who want to avoid spicy food can opt for the black olive and cheese stuffed chicken breast with Mexican salsa. It’s really worth trying. Melting cheese stuffed inside the chicken breast is too good.
I would suggest ending your meal with the hot magic chocolate souffle. It has layers of rich chocolate mousse sandwiched between a fudge cake, topped with chocolate icing.
Meal for two: Rs.800
