Restaurant Review: Depot 29

DEPOT 29 Mexican, Western Another Ritu Dalmia restaurant, with no Italian food this time.
Decor
Although it is in the Safdarjung Enclave Market, it is not in the front but at the side, so for first-timers it is a bit of a challenge to find. Look for the lift down a corridor and up half-adozen stairs. The restaurant is on two floors ­ 2nd and 3rd. The furniture is solid wood, like the floors and stairs.I thought it was a design element that just happened, but one of Dalmia's partners is a sound engineer and Depot 29 has bi-weekly gigs where the sound is excellent, all thanks to the wood! The floor area is rather small, so it does have a slightly cramped feel, with tables for two that allow no more than two dishes at any point of time. Service is informed and intelligent, well above the city's average.Though there is a lot more than Mexican, it is the guacamole bar, the quesadilla bar and the taco bar with their multiple choices ­ some of which have been put together in this kitchen ­ that are the most visible dishes.
Food
The classic guacamole ( 290) is a must-have, as indeed is the entire guacamole bar composed of three varieties served with house-made nachos, but the stars of the show are the classic burger ( 540) and the coffee marinated mutton chops with balsamic reduction ( 630). The burger is served in a sesame bun with onions, and tomato and pickled gherkin on the side. I always order a side of gorgonzola ( 130) that lifts the burger into one of the five finest burgers in the NCR. I highly recommend that you try it.
(The other cheeses ­ burrata and gruyer ­ simply do not breathe life into the burger). The grilled fish (halibut, no less) with chilly-lime and pink peppercorn ( 640) is a 50-50 blend of East and West for lovers of spice AND western food.
Plus and minus
All Ritu Dalmia's restaurants are characterized by the wide range of imaginative vegetarian dishes and Depot 29 is no exception. Do put your name down for their music evenings which are ever so slightly alternative.
On the minus side, the vegetarian burgers have a desi tadka to them, so do be warned.
(By MARRYAM H RESHII)