How often do you take time out for a proper sitdown lunch? Not the one you eat hurridely at your desk or in front of the TV, but one that requires you to pay attention to what you’re consuming. We are guessing the answer is almost never, which is why we insist you take a pick from one of these midday specials and have a leisurely sojourn.
EDITOR’S PICK
Fio Cookhouse Bar, Nehru Place
The gorgeous and somewhat underrated eatery not only has a new summer menu up its sleeve, but has also recently launched a fresh lunch menu we are crushing on, hard. Brimming with light eats, big salads and signatures like the Butter Buns – the kitchen promises a feast without a lot of guilt. Why do we say so? Well, because their salad selection, of which the Burrata Melon Salad (Rs 575) and Spiked Chicken Salad (Rs 575) are clear highlights, are enough to keep you fuelled till evening. The former is a refreshing take on the original Watermelon and Feta combo that gained popularity a few years ago. The creamy burrata pairs well with the juicy watermelon on a bed of organic greens with a raw mango dressing tying things up in a pretty (flavour packed) bow. Then there’s the latter with crumbed gorgonzola – so delicious, you’ll find yourself licking it off the fork – next to candied nuts and a tart litchi mint emulsion enveloping the chicken. For a carb hit, the Bruschetta Tomato Confit (Rs 495) is a good choice, whule the Crunchy Chicken Butter Buns (Rs 495) will bowl you over. If you still want some mains, the Olive Crusted Seabass (Rs 875) is the way to go with juicy grilled seabass on a couscous salad base and a fresh salasa verde. The chef has also made tweaks on some India street food classics, but we skipped that to focus on dessert, and boy were we glad we did! Both the innovative Caramel Spiced Mango Mousse (Rs 395) and the indulgent Peanut Banoffee Jar (Rs 395) will keep you coming back for seconds.
Price: Rs 3,500 for two
Timings: Noon to 4 pm
SEASONAL SPECIALS
Chi Ni at Dusit Devarana, Samalkha
Special occasions call for an equally special meal and Chi Ni’s elaborate Oriental four course spread promises just that! Perfect for a mini lunch getaway from the city with your girlfriends, the recently launched set menu lunch has been put together by Chef Ban. Start with a delicate soup followed by a light appetiser and a scrumptious main, finished off by a wonderfully balanced dessert. We loved their hearty seafood specked Ash Gourd Soup, and the tangy Wasabi Shrimps. For mains, there’s a choice of Three Chillies and Vegetarian Chicken that’s basically mock meat with interesting flavours or the creamy Schezuan Steamed Indian Seabass paired with either aromatic Ginger Fried Rice or hearty Hong Kong Noodles. In dessert, the Splendid Baked Yoghurt comes with a serving of sorbet or the decadent Sense of Chocolate includes a Tiramisu pastry in a pool of molten milk chocolate – yum!
Price: Rs 2,900++ per person (vegetarian) | Rs 3,200++ per person (non-veg)
Timings: Noon to 4 pm
Café Diva, Sangam Courtyard
The popular Italian bistro by the grand dame of Italian cooking in India – Ritu Dalmia – is tucked away in Sangam Courtyard, but merits a tête-à-tête heavy lunch. This one’s an exclusive only for ladies who lunch in a group of 5. The set menu features a host of fusion dishes like Asian Sesame Chicken Salad, Bikaneri Pea Parotta with Sweet and Sour Papaya Curry. Their classics like Spaghetti Olio Aglio are a must-try too! Basically, you can pick any four starters for the table as well as mains and a dessert platter from a curated menu to make for a deliciously memorable meal.
Price: Rs 750++ per person
Timings: Noon to 3.30 pm
The Fatty Bao, Sangam Courtyard
Also in the same complex as Café Diva with a fan following that sees waiting even on weekdays, this Asian gastropub is our team’s favourite. From delicious and pillowy dim sum to perfectly rolled sushi and oh-so-soft baos – they have it all in a brand new set lunch menu. Head there for a pre-movie meal with your gang and sample their curated three or four course offering. Our picks include the Miso Soup, Crunchy Thai Salad Chicken and Lamb Massaman Curry with Baby Potato.
Price: Rs 599 to Rs 699++ (three course) | Rs 699 to Rs 799++ per person (four course)
Timings: Noon to 3.30 pm (Monday to Friday)
Inputs by Kanika Deepali