BackThe Khan Market gastro survey
The best-selling dish in each of its 30 eateries
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Yet another geriatric giant shut shop in the upscale Khan Market. The Chonas restaurant on the Front Lane closed early this year. It had begun as an ice-cream parlour when the market was set up in 1951; and reinvented itself as a formal dining area in the 1980s. Since then it was popular for its Chinese sizzlers.
But don’t cry for those greasy snacks. Something exciting is coming up where Chonas used to be—a Royal Enfield showroom. Alas, you can’t eat bikes. But there’s still good news for your sweet tooth. The Big Chill chain of restaurants—God bless them for their unearthly banoffee pie—recently opened their first bakery—in Khan Market.
Wait, there’s more news than you can digest. The year has not yet reached the half-mark and the chock-a-block Khan Market has already seen a restaurant opening; plus another one is coming up in place of Pure Punjab, which had opened only last year (and has already shut down, thankfully!). Last year, in fact, seven eating lounges came up in Khan Market, and one charmingly rundown and (comparatively inexpensive) Chinese eatery on the Front Lane too sexed up itself with some serious furniture renovation.
One recent white-hot afternoon, I went to each eating space in this posh market— from the most plebian to the most exclusive—to find out that one dish that each of those places sells the most. To be sure, the survey will help you in making a people-friendly choice from the Khan Market menus. It will also show you a scope of its dining trends in terms of variety and economics, and since I have mentioned the year of opening of each eatery, you will also get a hint about their heritage status.
* Amici: Since 2007. Best-selling item, Farmer’s Favorite Veggie Pizza (black olives, onions, mushrooms, jalapenos, capsicum, sweet corn), Rs450 plus taxes.
* Au Bon Pain: Since 2014. Best-selling item, Smoked Salmon Wasabi Special Sandwich, Rs449 plus taxes.
* Azam’s Mughlai barbeque: Since 2005. Best selling-item, Kakori Kebab, Rs170 plus taxes.
* Barcelos: Since 28 February, 2015. Best-selling item, Chicken Espetada (a hanging dish skewed with chicken breasts, onions and peppers with two regular sides), Rs425 plus taxes.
* Big Chill Bakery: Since 28 February, 2015. Best-selling item, Raspberry and Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownies, Rs250 plus taxes.
* Big Chill: Two outlets, since 2003. Best-selling item, Blueberry Cheese Cake, Rs230 plus taxes.
* Blue Door Café: Since 2013. Best-selling item, Texas Burger (melted cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, burnt garlic mixed with tenderloin burger accompanied with caramalised onion, BBQ sauce, jalapeno, lettuce, tomato), Rs575 plus taxes.
* Boombox Café: Since 2012. Best-selling item, Grilled Fish Lemon Butter Sauce (served with hosue mash and grilled vegetables), Rs455 plus taxes.
* Café Out of the Box: Since 2011. Best-selling item, Soya Pav, Rs285 plus taxes.
* CCD Lounge: Since 2008. Best-selling item, Salt ‘n’ Pepper Corn Crispies, Rs139 plus taxes.
* China Fare: Since 1989. Best-selling item, Chilli Chicken, Rs425 plus taxes.
* Choko La: Since 2007. Best selling item, choko la signature hot chocolate, ₹ 200 plus taxes
* Khan Chacha: Since 1972, formerly a stall, set up a seating area in 2010. Best-selling item, Chicken Tikka Roll, Rs180 plus taxes.
* L’Opera: Since 2011. Best-selling item, Mille Feuille, Rs205 plus taxes.
* La Bodega: Since 2014. Best-selling item, Camaron Salteado (shrimp with salsa Mexicana and chipotle mayonnaise), Rs375 plus taxes.
* La Vie: Since 2014. Greek God’s Pizza (spinach, bell pepper, olives, capers and feta), Rs600 plus taxes.
* Latitude: Since 2010. Best-selling item, Mixed Greens with Warm French Goat Cheese, Drizzled with Balsamic Glaze and Sun-dried Tomato, Rs440 plus taxes.
* Mama Goto: Since 2010. Best-selling item, Chian Mai Train Station Noodles veg/chicken/shrimp, Rs459/499/549 plus taxes.
* Market Café: Since 2006. Best-selling item, Café Special Khao Suey Veggie (with ginger, coconut milk, browned onions, burnt garlic, peanut and rice/noodles), Rs415 plus taxes.
* Route 04: Since 2008. Best-selling item, Quattro Polo Pizza (with chicken ham, roast chicken, chicken sausage and chicken stew), Rs550 plus taxes.
* Side Wok: Two outlets; since 2007. Best-selling item, Kung Pao Chicken (diced chicken in spicy soy with peanut and cashewnut), Rs395 plus taxes.
* Smoke House Deli: Since 2012. Best-selling item, Ras el Hanout Rubbed Grilled Chicken, Rs550 plus taxes.
* SodaBottleOpenerWala: Since 2014. Best-selling item, Chicken Berry Pulao (chicken cooked with fragrant rice topped with fried onion, nuts and berries), Rs495 plus taxes.
* Soy: Since 2012. Best-selling item, Chicken in Holy Basil and Chilli, Rs365 plus taxes.
* Subway: Since 2001. Best-selling item, Roasted Chicken Sandwich, Rs135 plus taxes.
* The Coffee Bean & Tea leaf: Since 2014. Best-selling item, Mocha Ice-blended (regular), Rs205 plus taxes.
* Town Hall: Since 2014. Best-selling item, Spicy Hamachi (fresh yellowtail, scallion, wasabi, tobikko with spicy sauce), Rs845 plus taxes.
* Urban Café: Since 2008. Best selling item, chilli chicken, ₹ 550 plus taxes
* Wok in the Clouds: Since 2014. Best-selling item, Double Spicy Fish, Rs450 plus taxes.
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