Almost Perfect

Imperfecto in Hauz Khas introduces the Capital to authentic Spanish cuisine redolent with all its madness and flavour

It WAS love at first sight. From a greeting desk shaped like an ancient post box onwards,Imperfecto is as fresh as the first drop of rain after a parched summer. You wind up the stairs decorated with unusual bric-a-brac ranging from a dilapidated scooter hanging on a landing to a sculpture made of rusting locks. We hurried past the lower level,where an IPL match was blaring,to the upper area where we immediately wanted to spend the rest of our lives.

The interiors are inspired and we spend our entire meal staring around,finding something intriguing in every corner. With mismatched furniture,coffee mug lamps,pillars covered with pages of books and the wacky object d art lining the wall,Imperfecto is a traditionalists nightmare and an artists most elaborate fantasy coming to life. Theres even a gabled spring of water running through the restaurant,dividing the inner and outer seating areas spanned with a miniature wooden bridge. Enough said.

The menus come in big picture frames,decorated with food and wine stains. The food selection is limited but there is no danger of going hungry,as the chef Nuria,periodically appears with platters of tapas,making rounds,speaking to the guests,urging them to taste her offerings,and getting feedback,making for an extremely interactive and fun restaurant experience.

In between stuffing ourselves with chorizo dusted with almonds flakes and exchanging notes with Nuria on the paucity of good seafood in Delhi,we remember we are here to work,and reluctantly,momentarily,take our eyes of our surroundings. We order a Corned Lamb and San Jacobo for starters and a Volcan for our mains.

The lamb comes sliced in a crushed corn flake batter,while the San Jacobo comprises breaded and fried ham and cheese. The lamb is succulent and tender,a celebration of the meat itself and sans a marination. Fair warning though,it may appear under-flavoured to a typical Dilliwallahs uber spiced palate. The San Jacobo packs more of a punch,with the accents of ham and cheese nicely elevated by the accompanying dip,with scallions so fresh and pungent,its like theyre being sliced on your tongues itself. We must confess we couldnt finish either of the dishes though as we kept hogging from the tapas platters moving around the restaurant.

The Volcan is a deconstructed paella,with the seafood reposing on the rice which lies on a bed of chunky tomato sauce,bursting with flavour. We quickly mix it up,creating a gloriously glutinous and delicious seafood khichdi. Thanks to our hogging on the restaurants largesse with tapas,we didnt have space for dessert. Well be back. Frequently.

Meal for two: Rs 2,000 (with taxes,excluding alcohol)

Address: 1A/1 Hauz Khas Village

Contact: 41090093

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Hauz Khas

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