Kikli: A Taste of Punjabi Comfort
At Kikli, Chef Amninder Sandhu crafts a monsoon menu that feels like a warm hug from a Punjabi grandmother. The offerings are a masterclass in comfort food, designed to evoke nostalgia for rain-soaked childhoods. The star of the show is the diverse pakoda
selection, from lassi-soaked Chicken Pakode to a fiery Mirchi Pakoda with a potato-pea filling. For those seeking a fuller meal, the menu features hearty dishes like the smoky Bhatti Da Murga and the rich Lakshmi Chowk Kadahi Chicken, best enjoyed with a traditional Mushki Roti. It’s a heartfelt celebration of bold, rustic flavours, perfectly suited for a grey, rainy day.
Lore: Journey to the Northeast
Lore, located at the Radisson Hotel on MG Road, is taking diners on an exciting culinary expedition with its '7 Sisters' Food Festival. This special event, curated by Executive Chef Kush Koli, shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked tribal cuisines of Northeast India. The menu is an adventurous exploration of unique ingredients like fermented bamboo shoot, the pungent axone (fermented soybean), and the fiery bhoot jolokia chilli. These ingredients are skilfully woven into traditional dishes that offer a genuine taste of the highlands. To complement the food, the festival also features themed cocktails incorporating regional flavours like Assam tea and Khasi mandarin juice.
Loya: Rediscovering North Indian Heirlooms
Loya, at the prestigious Taj Palace, has unveiled a new menu that reads like a culinary history of North India. While not strictly a monsoon menu, its focus on lesser-known heirloom recipes and time-honoured cooking techniques feels particularly comforting during the rainy season. The restaurant delves deep into the gastronomic traditions that stretch from the Himalayan foothills to the plains of Punjab. Dishes like Fazilka Launji Chaat and Doaba Mutton Curry showcase the rich tapestry of flavours from the region. It’s an experience that combines nostalgia with performance, bringing forgotten recipes back into the fine-dining spotlight.
Chor Bizarre: Chaat and Grills for Gloomy Days
Chor Bizarre captures the essence of monsoon cravings with a special menu dedicated to chaats and grills. This isn't just any street food; it’s a refined celebration of Delhi’s most beloved snacks. The menu features classics like Purani Dilli Ki Papri Chaat and Palak Patta Chaat, perfect for a rainy afternoon. For something more substantial, there are grilled options like Bharwan Paneer Tikka and delicate Nadroo Ki Tikki (lotus stem patties). Paired with a steaming cup of masala chai or a fragrant Kashmiri kahwa, it’s a perfect antidote to the monsoon blues, offering a taste of familiar comforts in an elegant setting.
Café Athyeka: South Indian Soul in Lodhi Garden
A new entrant to the city's cafe scene, Café Athyeka offers a different kind of monsoon comfort. Located in the serene Lodhi Garden, it focuses on South Indian comfort food. The menu is a celebration of familiar flavours, presented in a cozy, heritage-inspired setting that’s ideal for watching the rain fall. While pakoras and chai dominate the monsoon narrative in the North, Café Athyeka reminds us that comfort comes in many forms. A plate of hot paniyaram or a perfectly brewed filter coffee can be just as effective at warming the soul. It's a peaceful retreat that offers a taste of South Indian traditions amidst the greenery of Delhi.
