A taste of the city

Shopping, check. Pampering, check. But our essential Delhi experience for out-of-towners is incomplete without a round-up of the city’s most happening restaurants. Tuck in, while we take a break for the festive season.

Mughlai/ North-West Frontier
If meats and grills do it for you, head straight to Bukhara. Sample the Dal Bukhara – Bill Clinton and Bill Gates raved about it. Or hop across to neighbouring Dum Pukht for a similarly unforgettable experience. Stop by at Karim’s. The Jama Masjid branch has great ambience; at Nizamuddin, Thursday evening qawwali sessions add a surreal dimension to the succulent burra kebabs.
Bukhara and Dum Pukht, Maurya Sheraton, Sardar Patel Marg, 26112233.
Karim’s, Gali Kababian, Jama Masjid; 23269880, 23264981; and 168/2, Hazrat Nizamuddin West, 24355458, 24358300.

South Indian
For much more than idlis and dosas, check out Sagar Ratna and Saravana Bhavan. For more meaty choices, Swagath or Dakshin have appams and mutton stews to feed your primordial urge.
Sagar Ratna, 24, Defence Colony Market, 24333815.
Saravana Bhavan, 46, Janpath, 23317755; P-15, Connaught Circus, Near Madras Hotel, 23347755; and 54, 8th Block, D.B. Gupta Road, Near Police Station, Karol Bagh, 3615940.
Swagath, 14, Defence Colony Market, 24654538.
Dakshin, Marriott Hotel, District Centre, Saket, 42661122.

Chaat
In a city synonymous with chaat, the vendors at UPSC on Shahjahan Road and Bengal Sweets at Bengali Market are a throwback to your college day hangouts. If that’s not your scene, stop by Haldiram’s for raj kachori and chhole bhature.
Haldiram’s, Spice Mall, Sector 25-A, Noida; Sahara Mall, Gurgaon; Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Near Manesar, Gurgaon

Oriental
The Kaiseki meals at Sakura package Japan for your palate. RED and Mainland China dish up impressive Chinese, while Terrace, the recently opened rooftop restaurant at Bangkok Degree 1, does delish Thai.
Sakura, Metropolitan Hotel Nikko, Bangla Sahib Road, 42500200.
RED, MBD Radisson, L-2, Sector 18, Noida, 91-120-4300000.
Mainland China, Plot No. 4, Local Shopping Centre, Masjid Moth, GK-II, 29222123/ 29.
The Terrace, Bangkok Degree 1, Sainik Farms, 1 Carriapa Marg, Saket.

Mediterranean
Olive, just for the location. Hit it for Sunday brunch if you can. Shalom scores with great music and its Lebanese and Spanish cuisines.
Olive Bar and Kitchen, One Style Mile, Mehrauli, 26642552.
Shalom, N-18, N Block Market, Greater Kailash-I, 9810148084, 9810048084.

See you next on January 2, 2007. Best wishes for a Trendy new year!