There's no shortage of holes in Delhi. But, we've sorted through the chaff to bring you the best new spots for lazy Sundays or some post-work unwinding.
Sprawled over four levels, south Delhi's Dramz holds a wine cellar; whisky bar; dining room with outdoor seating on a terrace; and a rooftop that has the most captivating view of the Qutub Minar. On the menu currently is an impressive list of whiskies including Hakushi single malt and Woodford Reserve. We've heard whispers that the owners possess a stately collection, and Sunil Aggarwal, the man behind the lounge, aims to have tipples from the top 11 whisky-producing countries in the world on offer. It's a tall order for sure, but Aggarwal seems to have got off to a promising start.
With curated events and masterclasses every month, it might soon be the one-stop-shop for all spirits-related learning. The menu has been tweaked to complement the wine and whisky collection and holds the right mix of elaborate dishes and comfort food.
Imagine a place in Delhi where your daddy's money or a haughty "Tu janta nahi mera baap kaun hai?" won't get you in. At À Ta Maison, you're sized up before they even deign to take your money and bestow you with the privilege of being a member. The idea is to provide a sanctum for the über few who are willing to spend for the privilege of privacy in the crowed capital. That, and having a butler wait on you, of course.
Given that the same team behind the speakeasy-style PCO (brother-sister duo Rakshay and Radhika Dhariwal) is involved, we hope the drinks here will be equally fabulous. The cherry is a head chef who has returned to Indian shores after honing his skills with some of the best names in the West. His menu is best described as "French cuisine, with a British twist".
In the concrete confines of Gurgaon, you'd be hard-pressed to find anything resembling an open, verdant stretch. At Anya, a new boutique hotel, the small patio outside their all-day dining eatery, has been fashioned into a cosy little space with low-watt bulbs and wooden benches. The ambience here at the Naya Beer Garden is casual and relaxed – just settle in and order from their fairly comprehensive list of beers from around the world. There're also a few beer-infused cocktails to sample. The food is designed to be paired with either lager, ale or stout. We'd strongly recommend the Cürrywurst sausages – and the Beer Garden Burger if you're feeling particularly indulgent.
This new science-fiction-themed bistro is the latest addition to Hauz Khas Village. The owners are the same ones behind the laid-back Flipside Cafe which had some nice bites (like crêpes), but was especially known for its desserts – so much so that they made tea time an all-day affair. With Barsoom they are upping the ante with a full menu (which includes tapas, pastas, burgers and salads) and more importantly, a fully-licensed bar. It's a good place to grab a couple of drinks before a night out. They're to introduce Aperitivo evenings soon – that's their version of happy hours. In true Italian style, the bar will dispense cocktails like negroni sbagliato (a sparkling version of the classic negroni), campari spritz and bellini. Plus, we've heard of plans to throw live music into the mix as well.
Sprawled over four levels, south Delhi's Dramz holds a wine cellar; whisky bar; dining room with outdoor seating on a terrace; and a rooftop that has the most captivating view of the Qutub Minar. On the menu currently is an impressive list of whiskies including Hakushi single malt and Woodford Reserve. We've heard whispers that the owners possess a stately collection, and Sunil Aggarwal, the man behind the lounge, aims to have tipples from the top 11 whisky-producing countries in the world on offer. It's a tall order for sure, but Aggarwal seems to have got off to a promising start.
With curated events and masterclasses every month, it could soon be the one-stop-shop for all spirits-related learning. The menu has been tweaked to complement the wine and whisky collection and holds the right mix of elaborate dishes and comfort food.
Imagine a place in Delhi where your daddy's money or a haughty "Tu janta nahi mera baap kaun hai?" won't get you in. At À Ta Maison, you're sized up before they even deign to take your money and bestow you with the privilege of being a member. The idea is to provide a sanctum for the über few who are willing to spend for the privilege of privacy in the crowed capital. That, and having a butler wait on you, of course.
Given that the same team behind the speakeasy-style PCO (brother-sister duo Rakshay and Radhika Dhariwal) is involved, we hope the drinks here will be equally fabulous. The cherry is a head chef who has returned to Indian shores after honing his skills with some of the best names in the West. His menu is best described as "French cuisine, with a British twist". Remember, it's Members Only – there are three levels of membership, but be warned, it could be a while before you're counted as one of them.
In the concrete confines of Gurgaon, you'd be hard-pressed to find anything resembling an open, verdant stretch. At Anya, a new boutique hotel, the small patio outside their all-day dining eatery, has been fashioned into a cosy little space with low-watt bulbs and wooden benches. The ambience here at the Naya Beer Garden is casual and relaxed – just settle in and order from their fairly comprehensive list of beers from around the world. There're also a few beer-infused cocktails to sample. The food is designed to be paired with either lager, ale or stout. We'd strongly recommend the Cürrywurst sausages – and the Beer Garden Burger if you're feeling particularly indulgent.
This new science-fiction-themed bistro is the latest addition to Hauz Khas Village. The owners are the same ones behind the laid-back Flipside Cafe which had some nice bites (like crêpes), but was especially known for its desserts – so much so that they made tea time an all-day affair. With Barsoom, they are upping the ante with a full menu (which includes tapas, pastas, burgers and salads) and more importantly, a fully-licensed bar. It's a good place to grab a couple of drinks before a night out. They're planning to introduce Aperitivo evenings soon – that's their version of happy hours. In true Italian style, the bar will dispense cocktails like negroni sbagliato (a sparkling version of the classic negroni), campari spritz and bellini. Plus, we've heard of plans to throw live music into the mix as well.