Name: DEL, Roseate House, New Delhi
Location: Asset 10, Hospitality District, Aerocity, Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi
Ambience: DEL, the all-day dining bistro at the Roseate House New Delhi, is named after the city’s airport code. However, the minimalist yet luxurious space does not resemble an airport at all. At 130 covers, the restaurant occupies a huge space that overlooks water bodies and greens. A private dining room opens to a sky lounge where larger social gatherings can be held. The décor is predominantly in soothing browns and greys. A large illustration called Somnium Genero—You Are In Flight by Thukral&Tagra at DEL reminds diners about the aeronautical theme of the restaurant.
What we ate: The buffet menu at DEL changes every day so that regulars never have to eat the same thing twice. However, we decided to choose from the a la carte menu and asked the chef for a recommendation for low-carb and low-calorie options.The first thing he presented to us was a super-healthy beetroot and burrata salad that had creamy, fresh burrata cheese on a bed of thinly-sliced beetroot carpaccio and arugula leaves, drizzled with pesto. The salad was delicious with the flavours of the burrata and beetroot being the focus of the dish. You could also try the lovely DEL Compressed Salad from Barcelona that has compressed melon and apple served with truffle goat cheese, crispy quinoa and flat croutons.
For the mains, chef presented us with the quinoa biryani that is already a big hit with diners. Served in a tiny Le Crueset pot, the biryani has healthy quinoa cooked in stock on dum with broccoli stems, French beans, green peas and paneer. While we were a bit apprehensive about what a quinoa biryani would taste like, we were pleasantly surprised to find that it was hearty and delicious even if not completely authentic in taste and presentation. Don’t forget to taste the refreshing blueberry raita that goes perfectly with the quinoa biryani.
With the biryani, we also tried the paneer ke sooley with laung adding a wonderful flavour to the smoked and succulent chunks of cottage cheese.
After this hearty meal, there was little space for dessert but we had to try the creamy and luscious sugar-free cheese cake that the chef made especially for us.
Price for meal for two: Rs 3,000 without taxes