The Legacy Of Flavours At Daryaganj...

Daryaganj is one of the iconic names in Delhi's F&B space. Being the brainchild of Kundan Lal Jaggi and the brand that brought classic recipes for Dal Makhni and Butter Chicken to the fore, Daryaganj in its revamped avatar has found place in the hearts of Delhiites, first at Aerocity and now at Connaught Place.

Done up in tones of beige and blue, with KL Jaggi's portrait adorning the entrance, Daryaganj's CP outlet is gradually gaining prominence being a three-month-old place. The décor has trinkets like antique phones and cameras exuding the old-world charm.

There is a see-through kitchen with a wall of fame of luminaries hosted by Mr. Jaggi on display. On the other hand, there are songs of the bygone era being played in the backdrop, lending an ambient feel to the dining experience.

Coming to the dishes that are must-haves when dining out at Daryaganj...

Begin the meal with Thandai served in a tall glass straight from Punjab, frothed and topped with nuts, but is hands-down one of the best beverages prepared by Daryaganj. On the other hand, the clove powder rimmed Laung Elaichi is a sweet-sour digestive drink.

From among the streets of India, the Chicken Pakora is a nice option as fried munchies, while for appetizers, one can certainly opt for the Original Chicken Tikka, finished with subtle mustard marinade and a lemon glaze.

As for the vegetarian preparations, there's the Kurkuri Mushroom that's a crisp and cheesy bite-sized delight, Dahi Kebab that are puffed yet melt-in-mouth parcels of hung curd flavoured with black pepper kernels to balance the sweetness of curd. On the other hand, a recurrent favourite is the Paneer Tikka that is grilled to perfection and layered with melted cheese and bell peppers.

As a brilliant means to beat the chill in Delhi at this time, the folks at Daryaganj served Murgh Badami Shorba that warms the palate.

Among the Mains, we opted for Saag Paneer and Charrey Alu with Paneer Kulcha that mirrored the home-like preparations because their seasonings were on point. On the other hand, the Biryani-Raita combination is unbeatable always.

To wrap up the meal, there was an array of Indian desserts plated up and it's really difficult to choose a favourite.

On the whole, we had a pleasant time at Daryaganj. :)

Continuing The Culinary Legacy At Daryaganj...

Daryaganj is one of the most iconic outlets on the culinary map of the capital city. Named after the place in Delhi where founder Kundan Lal Jaggi set up his restaurant in 1951 - at a time when Daryaganj was a part of the newer areas in Delhi, the same restaurant Daryaganj has now come to Aerocity at Worldmark One, helmed by his grandson.

Daryaganj Aerocity is in the nascent stages of its establishment being a mere eight-month-old outlet, but from nowhere does it look so, rather feels like a seventy-year-old legendary one, and rightfully so.

Each facet of the establishment, from ambiance to décor, to service, and most importantly food, is taken care of meticulously and with a smile too. The restaurant is chock-a-block at all times thanks to its popularity, especially on weekends with stewards on their toes, but it all seems effortless.

Done up in pastel tones, with beige and red dominating, the outlet has memorabilia of the vintage era lining the walls - be it monochrome photographs, old-school cameras, or antique phones. Even the menu has Mr. Jaggi's story engraved on its pages with fun facts like his pop-up restaurant at the trade fair in Russia and a tandoor being flown in straight from Peshawar making for a great read while browsing through.

All things aside, flavour is placed on the throne at Daryaganj with Mr. Jaggi being the father of Tandoori Cuisine and the inventor of Dal Makhani and Butter Chicken - two dishes that are a staple at every Indian restaurant across the globe.

Relying on closely guarded recipes to bring out robust flavours, Daryaganj is a place of rich culinary legacy where each dish is perfected to the tee.

Coming to what all is must-relish when at Daryaganj…

Begin the meal with tangy Aam Panna or sweet Thandai served in a tall glass, whilst munching on Tandoori Fruit Chaat, perfectly grilled and coated with tangy tamarind.

A number of dishes are marked as 'The Original' and the aesthetic as well as preparation of those reflects the same. One of those is the Paneer Tikka or cottage cheese char grilled with bell peppers and stuffed with cream cheese.

Apart from that, the Kurkuri Mushroom is a crispy delight and the Hara Bhara Kebab is soft and simply melt-in-mouth.

Even the Tamatar Adrak Ka Rassa is, for a pleasant change, served with crisp Ajwain Mathri and the subtle flavour of black pepper dominating, instead of the usual bread crumbs that are served usually with Tomato Soup.

Also, for Mains, none of the dishes are overly oily or creamy, instead the flavour of Ghee is prominently palatable. I would suggest to try the Subz Biryani paired with Boondi Raita, and the Dal Makhani and Malai Kofta with breads of choice.

The desserts are prepared to perfection and for anyone who has a sweet tooth, it is a delight. The Rasmalai and Kala Jamun are special recommendations, though the Phirni is nice too, and the Kulfi is prepared in flavours of Paan and Kesar Pista.

All in all, Daryaganj, under the patronage of KL Jaggi is the name that taught Delhi to dine out, coming at a time when there was no trace of restaurant culture, and it is this place that is absolute must-visit in Delhi. :)

Leisurely Dining At Cafe Hawkers...

Cafe Hawkers is one of the feel-good restaurants to visit when in the heart of Delhi, in Connaught Place.

Located at a stone's throw from the legendary Odeon Cinema, Cafe Hawkers is spread across two levels - ground and first - and has well-lit premises modeled around the concept of Hawker's Street, hence the name Cafe Hawkers.

The decor has a number of trinkets and a 'Special Of The Day' is also mentioned on a chalkboard at the entrance. The seating arrangement has comfy couches and service is prompt, and with a smile. :)

The Menu at Cafe Hawkers boasts of a variety of cuisines - Indian, Oriental, Italian, Continental - and Chef's Signature Dishes are marked by a cutesy umbrella logo against the names.

There are also quirky gastronomic quotes that find their place on the menu, inducing a chuckle or two.

Coming to what would be worth relishing at Cafe Hawkers...

Beverages:

Paan Rose Shake had the subtle rosy hue and a Gulkand topping on the side.

Choco Mint Shake was a mix-and-match of sweet chocolate and refreshing mint that had a mint leaf as garnish.

Cappuccino was the good old caffeine brew.

Soups:

Tuscan Tomato and Basil was the classic warm broth accompanied with a bread basket.

Minestrone was the one-pot-meal of pasta and veggies.

Manchow was the authentic Oriental soup, with a dash of soy sauce.

Starters:

Chatpati Kamal Kakdi Ki Chaat had lotus stem fritters done the Indian street food way, with a dash of mint and pomegranate seeds on a bed of red cabbage.

Hawker's Special Tikki had potato fritters rendered in yogurt with a dash of tamarind, cheese chunks, and pomegranate.

Puchka were the classic Indian street food served alongside mint and tamarind dip in a bulb.

Tandoori Momos were giant in size and aesthetic but were a bit bland on the flavor, as they were just a mish-mash of cabbage and carrot chunks.

Almond Roast Sole Fish Tikka is one of the in-house specialties, with the lime-hinted melt-in-mouth fish fillets being garnished with an almond chunk.

Classic Stuffed Paneer Tikka had large cottage cheese chunks having a smooth layer of spinach sandwiched within it.

Main Course:

All Veggies Pizza was a 14" thin-crust pizza that was cheesy and had olives, bell peppers, corn, broccoli, mushroom, and onions as toppings.

Dessert:

Nutella Lovers Waffle is one of the popular sweet conclusions at Cafe Hawkers and was a nutty delight with warm and crisp waffles being topped with a scoop vanilla ice-cream and Nutella.

All in all, I had a pleasant time at Cafe Hawkers and it is an outlet that scores on providing a complete gastronomic experience with its delicious preparations, chirpy ambiance, and cheerful banter. :)