Dilli,Tweaked

The identity of the restaurant,which opened in 2007,has been “slightly tweaked”,says Qamar Talat,director of Second Helping Pvt Ltd,the new caterer of Dilli Dastarkhwan. A few multi-cuisine dishes ensure that foreign clients (as well as calorie counters) are not spoilt for options. So you have penne arabiatta,grilled fish as well as lamb in black bean sauce cooked the Chinese way.

“People who don’t like spicy and rich Mughlai food can savour non-spicy Chinese,French and Russian dishes,” says Talat. He says earlier they had noticed that in every group of six or seven,a couple would not find anything of their choice. The eatery now also has a kitchen of its own. Wadood Sajid,media advisor to IICC president Sirajuddin Qureshi says it is important keeping in mind the 2,000 odd members of IICC and their guests.

The restaurant may have changed hands but the food continues to be a draw. The non-veg kebab platter called Nawab-e-Dilli,and the vegetarian platter called Begum-e-Dilli are wholesome,the seekh kebabs,succulent. The biryani could have been better though and the Peshawari kadahi murgh was a tad bland.

There are other new things too,about the new face of Dilli Dastarkhwan. Its ambience has been re-done — the bulbs have gone from yellow to white,though they occupy the same chandeliers; the upholstery is a “soothing” light green and white unlike the previous dark brown,with cushions for some seats,and the walls have been painted light green. There are plans to re-do the VIP dining cabin as “a lounge with low-rise sofas,and low-rise tables”. Thankfully,the framed black-and-white photographs of Delhi’s historical landmarks like Qutub Minar and Jama Masjid remain,leaving the “Dilli” intact in Dilli Dastarkhwan.

The restaurant is worth trying out,it is reasonably priced even though one cannot help feeling that diluting the essence of Mughlai cuisine,or at least what most perceive of it — richness,spiciness,with layers of oil — doesn’t befit a restaurant called “Dill Dastarkhwan”.

Meal for Two: Rs 800

Address: Dilli Dastarkhwan,India

Islamic Cultural Centre,Lodhi Road

Contact: 24658785