Moti Mahal Delux is one of the iconic brands that first established the F&B scene as we know it now in Delhi, and India at large. From its inception since the Indian Independence in 1947 at Daryaganj in Old Delhi, Moti Mahal is a name that comes with high recall value and culinary expertise to its credit in the hospitality industry in India.
Needless to say, the Delux chain of restaurants is one that stems from Moti Mahal itself and on a recent occasion, I treated myself to an authentic North Indian dining experience at Moti Mahal.
Located near South Extension Metro Station on the Ring Road, the outlet is easily accessible and offers a bird's eye view of its vicinity, thanks to it being situated on the third floor.
Divided into two sections, the outlet has plush interiors and ambient lighting. The difference, however, between the two sections is that one features Ghazal sing-alongs on weekends, while the other has DJ playing in the backdrop.
Catering to true-blue Punjabi cuisine since its establishment, the menu at Moti Mahal Delux also features Oriental preparations, hi-tea, and street specialties of India apart from authentic North Indian delicacies.
These are some of the dishes from the house of Moti Mahal that I would recommend relishing when dining there.
I would suggest beginning with Puchkas from the Street Food section as they act like an Amuse Bouche setting the tone for the meal. The Puchkas themselves were made of semolina that made them crispier than their wheat variant.
Another preparation from the hi-tea menu that is not to be missed is Nargisi Scotch Eggs or Deviled Eggs that are an in-house specialty and feature rarely in restaurant menus across the capital city, hence making this preparation of soft-boiled eggs coated in an outer shell made of bread crumbs.
While Banarsi Gilafi Seekh was too soft to be true, melt-in-mouth is how I would describe this veggie mince served on a hot plate, Palak Aur Kaju Ke Kebab was one of the stellar vegetarian appetizers, complete with mashed spinach, while cashew and, pomegranate seeds elevated the flavor to another level altogether.
On one hand, while Sabz Galawat was the right balance of soft and firm on the palate with the striking after-taste of clove to its credit, on the other hand, Machli Tikka Hasrati had well-prepared fish that had some beautiful flavor to offer to the palate.
To go along with the appetizers, the Masala Lemonade or Virgin Mojito would work just fine.
If you'd like to travel the Oriental route, I would suggest relishing Crispy Paneer Roll that has soft cottage cheese layered with an outer crust of noodles, accompanied by a suitable relish.
Also, the classic Talumein Soup works as a nice pick-me-up with its generous portion of veggies and noodles rendered in a warm broth.
Proceeding to the Main Course, I would suggest pairing Kaju Khumb Matar with the Mix Veg Pulao if you'd prefer to try vegetarian delicacies.
On the other hand, the legendary Butter Chicken recipe is at the heart of Moti Mahal and rightfully so, given the fact that the chicken shreds are rendered in a delicately balanced tomato gravy. Pair it with the Turrah Naan layered with caraway seeds and white sesame.
I would suggest ending the meal with either Kulfi or Rasmalai as both are delectable options for a sweet conclusion.
On the whole, a visit to Moti Mahal Delux would ensure a taste of authentic North Indian cuisine. :)
