Embracing The Dragonfly Experience...

Dragonfly is another gem of a place that has opened its doors to Delhiites barely two weeks back. A plush vibe in a classy fine-dining atmosphere complementing the sensational nightlife is all that Aerocity was lacking and Dragonfly Experience has stepped in to fill that void.

With Dragonfly's penchant for serving the best preparations of Cantonese Cuisine to their patrons, paired with mixology masterpieces coming from Richard Hargroves, there's none left for the others to nitpick.

It is child's play to overlook Dragonfly on the F&B scene that WorldMark 1, Aerocity houses, though it would be a blunder if you miss out on the famed Dragonfly Experience. That's because it is nestled in one corner waiting for culinary enthusiasts to discover the magical gastronomic delights that await.

Adding another feather to Priyank Sukhija's cap and standing testimony to Chef Sagar Bajaj's exhaustive culinary repertoire, Dragonfly Experience boasts of being a memorable affair that demands to be witnessed in its glory.

Stepping into Dragonfly opens up a separate world altogether with an enchanting vibe that effortlessly captivates. Be it the tastefully done interiors, the plush seating arrangements, attentive service, or the delightfully vast menu, Dragonfly scores a point on each of these avenues.

To begin the meal at Dragonfly, opt for the ingeniously crafted mocktails that emulate some popular Pokemon like Pikachu, Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur.

A flavorful blend of ginger ale, mint, and pineapple juice, Pikachu is served in a bamboo glass. On the other hand, Charmander comes across the table in a pineapple upside down glass and is a concoction of mango, raspberry, and coconut, perfect for beating the heat in style.

While rooting for some warm broths, one can opt for a portion of either Abalone Mushroom, Asparagus, and Wakame or Hot and Sour Sichuan Fish, both are equally well done.

Here at Dragonfly, the Cold Fruit salad is prepared in a refreshing manner with fresh fruit paired with crunchy candied walnuts, layered with arugula leaves and a drizzle of soy gel.

Dragonfly's Signature Sushi Donut is a layered delight presented on a heart-shaped platter, and this is the preparation that has my heart. Comprising eight diverse elements namely Black Rice, Tempura Corn, Nori, Mango, Avocado, Edamame, Cucumber, and Beet Cured Pickled Radish, this dish is a flavorful spectacle.

Two mushroom dishes prepared exceptionally well come from Bar Tapas and Puffsome sections - Morel Mushroom Spring Rolls and Truffle & Mushroom Puffs.

Biting into the crunchy, crispy, flaky outer crusts of both these preparations for the taste buds to come across melt-in-mouth fillings on the inside is a culinary masterstroke.

Two other unique gems of preparation are Sweet Potato Redang Dimsums that are effortlessly soft parcels that amuse the senses layered with tangy Redang Curry on the base, and Crispy Almond & Garlic Prawns that stand true to their name and come across as flavorful bites on the palate.

As far as the Main Course is concerned, the Italian Risotto is given a Pan Asian twist in the manner of being prepared as an Edamame and Pecorino Barley Risotto.

On the other hand, is the authentic Street Style Hawker's Noodles that reminded me of Malaysian night markets.

Coming to the sweet conclusions that are some firecrackers of desserts, one cannot simply miss out on the Mandarino that is essentially vanilla cheesecake paired with citrus crumble, layered with chestnut cream and topped off with a chocolate dipped cherry as a finishing touch.

If you prefer something simple yet fabulous, undoubtedly opt for the Home Made Artisan Icecream that has a trio melange - Vanilla & Toffee, Cherry & Chocolate, and Coffee & Genmai.

On the whole, Dragonfly Experience is a refreshing one and such levels of gastronomic expertise demand and deserve to be applauded. :)

Let's Have Something Out of the Box!

Cafe Out of the Box, Khan Market has been one of the most popular hangout places for youth and families alike ever since its inception six years back. 
It was a chance visit to OTB post a tiring shopping spree. The restaurant is quaintly situated in the bylanes atop a flight of stairs and spans two floors - one for families as a naturally lit section and the other as a lounge that is a moderately lit section. 

Screening of World Cup matches and ambient music in the backdrop along with comfy couches as the seating arrangement make a meal worthwhile at OTB. 

OTB as a concept encompasses some of the best dishes from across the globe with authentic flavors being perfected in their kitchen. 
To begin the meal at OTB, go for some Creamy Corn Chowder that is a warm broth served with crunchy puff sticks on the side. 

From among the Entrees, while All-Season Christmas Canapes are bite-sized crunchies, Czech Savory Bramboraky are crisp and warm potato pancakes finished with a tomato relish. 

While the Cuban Cigar Rolls are crisp and cheesy with various condiments as a garnish in a martini glass, the Napolina Risotto Bowls are balls of flavor that elevate the classic Dal Chawal Arancini, and the Duo of Tandoori Florets presents cauliflower and broccoli in dual variants - creamy and pickled. 

However, the Paneer Tikka Pate and Mushroom Tikka Pate are fusion dishes as they are served with soft Pavs and buttery garlic bread respectively. 

As far as Main Course is concerned, two of the options are definite;y worth the flavors, one Sayadeya that is OTB's take on the Egyptian staple with grilled fish served on a bed of couscous rice with veggies on the side, and two Chimichurri Paneer Roll that has pinwheel-shaped cottage cheese rendered in creamy tomato gravy with Lachcha Parantha to go along. 

For Dessert, of course, is the classic Walnut Brownie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and layered with chocolate syrup. 

On the whole, Out of the Box has stood the test of time and quality with some delicious preparations up their sleeve. 

Don't Be Glum, Sugar Plum!

Plum By Bent Chair is one of the stellar properties encompassing the F&B scene in Aerocity that has been the talk of the town ever since its launch on Christmas last year. I recently got to explore the buzz that has been surrounding Plum when I visited the outlet for lunch this week.

First things first, Plum is not your regular Delhi restaurant - Nope.

It is an ingenious concept that marries Retail with Gourmet - the brainchild of restaurateur Priyank Sukhija and entrepreneur Natasha Jain, Plum is where everything you see can be bought, and everything that can be bought is showcased.

Plum as a concept is India's first retail restaurant, that after wowing the folks of Mumbai, has set a firm foot to amaze Delhi. Bent Chair is a furniture and home decor brand that has showcased its products at Plum, and essentially anything and everything from couches, coffee tables, whimsical artwork, and pop-art collector's items can be taken home.

The menu at Plum lays its heart out to Pan Asian cuisine with the subtleties of both Chinese and Japanese cuisines being reflected on the plate and it is a variety haven for folks who love both these cultures that are culinary treasures in themselves.

To begin the meal, opt for the Quinoa Chicken Poached Dumplings that come in mini steamer baskets with the outer skin being coated with super grain Quinoa imparting the preparation a touch of health. The subtlety of a chili mayo and scallion as a garnish adds to the flavorful bite.

Visiting Plum and not relishing the Sushi would be a crime, and the in-house specialty is a testament to that. I am talking about the Prawn Tempura Uramaki that essentially has crispy prawns layered with condiments and folded delicately with rice.

Orange & Peach is one of the best-selling mocktails at Plum with the refreshing pairing of mandarin and kaffir lime, while the classic Iced Cappuccino Freddo is also well-prepared.

Among the Large Plates, Olive Leisure Chair is truly like sending the tastebuds on a vacation with grilled sea bass resting on a bed of edamame rice that is best relished with a glazing of the soy garlic sauce that accompanies the preparation.

For the sweet conclusion to a stellar meal, I would undoubtedly recommend the Plum Tropical Fruit Citrus Cheesecake that has the unique lime cheesecake dome, sunkissed with fruits on the side.

All in all, Plum By Bent Chair is a fresh concept executed with finesse as it presents novelty in the F&B space. :)