Missing the sunny days and hazy nights spent in Goa shacks? The second outlet of Raasta in Cyber Hub is a mini shack-like getaway, while the older sibling in the over-crammed HKV has stood the test of time and is still one of the most popular spots there. Popular for their eclectic gig nights, the recreations of Bob Dylan and other Rastafarian symbols set the mood. The menu has seen some changes here or there, but largely remains the same. A big bonus is the efficient servers, who are always happy to make recommendations and regularly check if you’re happy with your order. However stereotypical it may be to associate bongs with Rastafarians, their Bongtail Cocktail are available in three sizes and are quite economical. Or you can go for a Basil and Peach Sangria, which is deliciously potent. To line the stomach, there are platters of fried food that make us weak in the knees. Go for the giant House Nachos or Caribbean Chicken Strips. The HKV outlet hosts a super Karaoke Night on Tuesday, while Gurgaon’s Retro Thursdays are a big hit!
Critic Review
Nightlife Review
Buzz: 3.5/5 | Décor: 3.5/5
-By Deepali Gupta
This Caribbean lounge in Hauz Khas Village pledges allegiance to the likes of Bob Marley, Jimmy Hendrix and Jimmy Cliff. Beautiful shades of red, brown and yellow create a cheering ambience. Run by the same people as the fabulous Tarami next door, a walk through Raasta leaves you puzzled. Sure, the brightly coloured walls, the attempted witty signage and the Bob Marley poster OD are all there, but there’s a vital ingredient of the Rastafarian movement missing and that’s soul. It is quite spacious with both indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor patio is pleasant enough and is often engulfed in the haze of sheesha. Their much-recommended Caipiroska is liberal with the vodka and largely forgettable, while the Three Angels (scotch, Sambuca and grenadine) should come with a flammable warning. The LIIT is a safer bet. Caribbean Chicken Strips, Afghani Murgh and Vege Mezze Platter are good options. The multi-cuisine platters betray the theme too and the Fried Calamari was left almost untouched with only the reggae playlist turning out to be a saving grace. The different gigs everyday including Karaoke Night does add to the experience though.
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Raasta
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The Weirdass Pajama Fest
Curated by Vir Das, The Weirdass Pajama Fest is the biggest comedy festival in India which, in its previous edition, saw participation by over 69 local and international stand-up comedy artists. This year, the festival will take to the road with two excellent shows. The schedule for Delhi is:
6 pm: On The Pot With Vir Das
Vir Das is joined by a host of other panelists/comedians for a news segment where they discuss everything from politics and current affairs to sports and Modi.
Ticket prices: Rs 700 to 2,500
8 pm: Kings And Rajahs Of Comedy
This one is going to be a riot with some of the best Hindi and English stand-up comedians in the country coming together for one power-packed show. Catch Vir Das, Papa CJ, Imran Yusuf, Jonathan Atherton, Sunil Pal and Raju Srivastava bringing the funny.
Ticket prices: Rs 700 to 2,500
Tickets available on BookMyShow
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Global Food Factory
Food from all over the globe.
ATMOSPHERICS
A warm, cosy, club-like space on the main road of Rajouri Garden, this food factory is notable for its customizable buffet. An array of 12 salads and 14 main courses are laid out at mealtimes, but you choose your own 16 starters. The market being what it is, high prices and pretentiousness are not tolerated, so the prices here are down to earth and the quality, especially of the tandoori items, good. If you don’t want to try the buffet, there is an a la carte menu too. However, it has to be said that those with hearty appetites always plump for the buffet because of the sheer value and the quality. Being located on the ground floor, and not having particularly loud music, it is a haven for large families with four generations enjoying a celebratory meal.
TABLE TALK
The buffet usually has a couple of chaat items in the starter section, together with Lebanese mezze and regular western salads. There are standard western and Indian preparations in the chafing dishes: the stars of the buffet are the tandoori items, which are served at your table. These are the stars of the show, and are not to be missed. You can go on ordering them – there is no limit on the number of portions you can consume in the Rs 550-900 price (depending on lunch/dinner, vegetarian-non vegetarian, day of the week). Global Food Factory’s Banno Kebab (Rs 425 on the a la carte menu) is the best in the city, by far: the chicken is moist and succulent, and the trademark egg-wash is whisper-light. Ditto for the Chicken Kalmi Kebab (Rs 425 on the a la carte menu) which is spiced just right, rather than being drowned in spices and overloaded with gramflour powder and curd as is so often the case. The pizzas are too far from the Naples ideal, but the London Doner Kebab (Rs 375) is not bad at all. Batons of chicken, Lebanese pickles and garlic mayo are wrapped in a pita pocket.
PLUS AND MINUS
The owner’s involvement and the compact size make it a great choice for the whole family. However, some of the dishes require urgent reworking like Japanese Teriyaki Chicken with Rice (Rs 475) which had teriyaki sauce without being grilled!
Critic reviews are anonymous and all bills are paid by them.
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Chin Chin
The tagline says ‘Nothing Fancy, Just Good Food’ and Chin Chin lives up to that. A neighbourhood eatery that dishes up some honest to goodness Chinese food, this is a better option than most fancy restaurants in the suburb. The menu has photographs with each dish, making it easy for the customer to visualise the order. With limited options for vegetarians, the sea food selection is popular here. The spring rolls are crispy and Chilli Chicken and Chicken in Hot Garlic Sauce are delicious. They serve complementary Jasmine tea and peanuts on every table.
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Om Sweets
Started as a mithai shop, Om Sweets is now far more. Swanky and shimmering, it has brightly lit counters dishing out snacks of all sorts. In sweets, the Doda, the rich mithai made with wheat gluten, is the speciality and something you should pack for home. Popular with the NRI, be prepared to jostle with the crowds ordering boxes and boxes of the sticky mithai in vacuum packing, enabling them to last trans-Atlantic flights. Also worth checking out are the Kaju Burfi, Mewa Bite, Milk Cake and Soan Papdi. The range of snacks have no surprises and include Chhole Bhature, Paneer Samosa and Chaat Tikki, Raj Kachori, Lachchha tokri, Bhelpuri besides a vegetarian thali. You can also have the South Indian Platter.
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Bernardo's
Bernardo#39;s, the only-Goan restaurant in the NCR, has as its USP the spirit of Goa that it embodies. It is owned and managed by a Goan couple: She cooks and he serves, so the tiny restaurant retains the feel of a Goan home. You may wish the tables were wider or the chairs more comfortable, but you cannot deny that this is the most authentic, Goan home-style cuisine in our city. They serve the food they grew up eating. The best things on the menu are the Goan Fish Curry with Red Rice, Chicken Liver with Recheido Masala, Asado de Puerco, Prawn Caldine and Ambotik - the hot, sour curry that is everyday eating in Goa. Don’t even think of missing the signature Xacuti de Galinha, chicken in thick gravy featuring rare spices - as precious to the Goans as Butter Chicken is to the North Indian palate. Finish off with one of the Goan desserts that the restaurant does.
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Burbee’s
A cheery little home away from home. Atmospherics:
Today is the day of the impersonal restaurant, run by a bevy of hired staff. The owner is usually a business tycoon who wants a restaurant to complete his ‘bouquet’ of businesses! Well, young Lakshman and Kirti Singh are the complete opposite of that, because no matter what time of the day or night you visit Burbee’s, one or the other of them will always be there. It makes a huge difference, as you can ask for simple additions or subtractions to your food and you can be sure your order will be understood. So, is Burbee’s a temple of gastronomy in the Sector 18 market? It doesn’t even pretend to be that. What it is, is a pleasant space where you can meet friends, work on your laptop or even conduct meetings. They do not serve alcohol currently – they might in the future – so it has a wholesome vibe that is hard to find elsewhere in the neighbourhood.
Table Talk:
While the main focus of the menu is on western food, there are a couple of dishes with an oriental treatment, but that is merely happenstance: the food is of the comfort variety and comes in satisfyingly large portions. Take the Barbecue Chicken Wings (Rs 325) for example. They have an extra dusting of chilli amidst the slightly sweet sauce and make a perfect starter to share at the table. Even better are the sauteed prawns in ginger garlic sauce that are perfectly cooked and retain their crunchy bite. That is one of the great achievements of Burbee’s: they really sweat the small stuff, so the slightly bitter capsicum pieces contrast very well indeed with the natural sweetness of the prawns. Oven Roasted Fish with Spaghetti and Tomato Sauce (Rs 425) is a college kid’s dream: a large fillet of basa, the deliciously gooey mashed potatoes that Burbee’s does so well and a helping of spaghetti with tomato sauce all on the same plate.
Plus and Minus:
The shaved grilled carrots and beans served as accompaniments and the in-house French fries and mashed potatoes are worthy of a fine dining restaurant! They need to relook at the cheese they use: it has no tang or sharpness.
Must Try:
Grilled Rosemary Chicken Breast in Red Wine Jus; Pistachio Crusted Lamb Chops; Ricotta Mushroom and Spinach Ravioli in Creamy Sauce.
Critic reviews are anonymous and all bills are paid by them.
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Du Vent Dans Mes Mollets
Directed by: Carine Tardieu | Duration: 1 hr 29 mins
Rachel is a shy little girl who is stifled by her possessive and overbearing mother. When she meets Valerie, a fearless girl her own age, she begins to open up to life in newer ways.
Entry: Free
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Twilight In Dilli
It is said that Twilight is believed to be a time when the hostile spirits of the dead, known as #39;Vetaal#39; or #39;Undead#39; trapped between life and afterlife and who can only be repelled by the chanting of holy mantras/prayers come out to make their presence felt. That’s preciesly the theme of this walk – discovering the historical and supernatural tales from Delhi’s Jungles.
DBF (Delhi By Foot) will take you this Saturday evening, where you would actually walk on the walls of Delhi#39;s oldest Fort (almost 1100 yrs old), scout the scene of multiple battles and scores of graves, where Delhi#39;s oldest forests on Southern Ridge are lit by the flickering city lights, and where a flash of your torch can seemingly transform the most innocent looking tree into the abode of the supernatural and scary. The walk will also feature a presentation in Hindi, Urdu and English.
Meeting Point: Qutub Minar ticket counter
Price: Rs 500 (per head), Rs 400 (per head for group of 4 and more)
Contact: 9871181775
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India Art Festival
IAF is a mixed media art fair that was started in 2011 in Mumbai. After five successful editions there, the festival was also taken to Seoul in 2014 and this year is the first time IAF will be hosted in the Capital. Recognising the rich art history and the numerous art galleries that Delhi boasts of, the festival will be spread across four days and will showcase collections by both major and mid-level galleries as well as emerging, independent artists.
The aim of the Delhi edition of the festival is make art affordable, both for exhibitors and collectors. A total of 40 galleries from across India will be participating in the festival and exhibiting the works of over 350 established as well as emerging artists.
Entry: Free
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Sula Fest Pre Party
One of the most popular and recognised Indian bands, Advaita, will be performing at the Sula Fest pre party in the city this weekend. Based in New Delhi, their brand of Indian psychedelic music has often been called innovative on the underground music scene in the country.
Performing both in India and overseas, Advaita has slowly and steadily risen to fame and are now hailed as one India’s leading bands, blending traditional Indian music with modern elements. The band includes Abhishek Mathur (Guitars), Aman Singh (Drums), Anindo Bose (Keyboards), Chayan Adhikari (Western Vocals/Guitar), Gaurav Chintamani (Bass), Mohit Lal (Tabla), Suhail Yusuf Khan (Sarangi/Vocals) and Ujwal Nagar (Hindustani Vocals).
Note: The performance will be held at the Vero Moda outlet in the mall.
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World Food And Wine Festival
World Food And Wine Festival comes to town, with an objective to provide the locals with a wide range of food and liquor, from across the globe. So if you want to taste some exotic ane new dishes along with exquisite wine, then this is the event for you, all under one roof. Besides food stalls, the festival will have many food related competitions across various age groups.
Price: Rs 100 (entry)
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Shoonya Ghar Exhibition Inaugration
Direcctor of National Gallery Of Modern Art in collabortion with Ministry Of Culture are pleased to invite you to a solo exhibition by Sudarshan Shetty – Shoonya Ghar.
The exhibition compiles an all new comibnation of vaarious medias like video, film, sculptures and photo images. The work is based on the poetic work of 12th century poet Goraknath, who poetic verses is populated with the concrete symbolism of the built world and things within it, along with metaphors from nature and enviorment.
Sudarshan Shetty (born in 1961) is a leading contemporary artist living in Bombay. His practice encompasses painting, drawing, installation, video/ film and sculpture. He has exhibited widely both in India and internationally.
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The Secret Lake Trek Of Delhi
As parto f their first winter trek of 2016, Delhi By Foot, are planning to explore the soft sands and the pristine blue waters of the 5 Secret Lakes of Delhi. The walk includes a half-day jungle hike and picnic on the Aravallis in search of Delhi’s Mysterious Hidden Lakes.
So get set for a brisk 7 Km Sunday morning trek to enjoy the fresh, invigorating air of the Aravalli Jungles, nice golden sunshine, company of the lively gang of DBF and the icing on the cake being delicious home-cooked traditional #39;Subah Ka Nashta#39; (breakfast) from a Haryanvi Village household.
Meeting Point: Parking lot adjoining Manav Rachna International University, in front of College of Traffic Management on Surajkund-Badkhal Road, Faridabad
Price: Rs 900 (including breakfast)
Contact: 9871181775
For prior spot bookings, click here.
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Khandani Rajdhani Utsav
With Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri and Uttrayan around the corner, our popular thali restaurant, Khandani Rajdhani celebrates with Utsav, its special menu that revels in India’s colourful cultural pot-pourri.
The Utsav menu brings together regional delicacies that are savoured across India to commemorate the auspicious season. Dig into the much-loved Surti Undhiyu with Puri, hot Jalebi. For a deeper taste of Gujarat, do not miss the delicious Ringan No Ollo with Bajri Rotla, which is best complemented with Bajra Khichdi. Straight from the heart of northern India, there are the seasonal favourite like - Mooli Paranthas, Chhole Dhaniya Masala, Pakode Wali Kadhi and Til Wale Paneer Tikki. The menu will be avialiable across all outlets of Rajdhani in town.
Time: 12 – 3.30pm | 7 – 11pm
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In Conversation With Margaret Atwood
The Booker Prize winning author Margaret Atwood will soon be in Delhi for an evening of conversation. The legendary author of the Maddadam Trilogy and of the prize-winning The Blind Assassin will be interacting with her fans and answering their questions.
Entry: Free
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Odeon Social, Connaught Place: First Look
After taking over Hauz Khas and Defence Colony, Social Offline is now moving to the sprawling Connaught Place. The co-working space by day that turns into a buzzing spot come sundown stands on the first floor of the Odeon building, and is taking us back to our school days. We went in for a sneak peek and marked our attendance just days before it opens to the public.
AMBIENCE
Climb up the stately wooden staircase and this newbie, housed in a building that dates back to the 1930s, transports you to the time when things moved at a slower pace. Social believes in minimum intervention and maximum up-cycling, and this one is all about the glory days. You’ll find elements sourced from schools and offices in and around CP that resonate with the neighbourhood’s history and also brings back some soul to the vicinity.
In true quirk tradition, the kitchen’s called the Home Science Lab and there’s a Principal’s Room for naughty kids, while a school bell is what you can ring on your way out if you had a good time. The tables are from staff rooms with old rickety wooden chairs, an antique typewriter and a vintage phone. While the walls are lined with trophies, bookcases and a bar straight out of a chemistry lab, you’ll spot a skeleton hanging around casually.
The co-working area is tucked into a corner of this expansive place and has 10 odd tables where you can park yourself through the day. The balcony is equipped with a jhoola and we’re sure it will be a highly coveted spot considering how few people it can accommodate. Low somber lights and large glass windows keep the look airy yet warm.
FOOD + DRINKS
As kids, the contents of the tiffinbox were the center of most conversations and they are cashing in on that with a menu of newbies. Unlike school though, here you can demand what goes into your tiffin with deliciously fresh options like Social Bhurjee, Hash Brown Tikki Chaat or good old Chakhna with masala peanuts and moong dal.
The cutlery stands in charming tiny boxes made of rulers, to reiterate the theme, and you’ll also spot more adult appropriate dishes like the Black Label Butter Chicken flambéed with a dash of whiskey or the gin-based A Game Of Sling. Besides that, favourites from other outlets such as the Awesomosas, Chilly Chicken and The Mile High Club Sandwich are still around. Wash them down with the beloved Longer Island Ice Tea, breezy South Pacific Rim or the flamboyant Coke Cane for a spirited evening that relives illicit bunking scenes.
IN A NUTSHELL
WH Verdict: Bringing old-school nostalgia back into our lives.
Meal For Two: Rs 1,500
Cuisine: Cafe
Review and Other Details: Odeon Social on What’s Hot
They are also on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Odeon-Social-1101679849850374/
**The writer was invited by the restaurant to preview their menu**
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ADDA - Pub-Brewery-Kitchen
The Striker family is an ever-growing one and after their casual rooftop brewery in Gurgaon took off, the team decided to bring the vibe to GK1#39;s N-Block Market, replacing Urban Pind. While the Gurgaon one is a jam-packed brewery loved for its gorgeous rooftop, the GK one is the grown up brother of the previous occupant with three floors thriving with energy. The first two floors of the latter are spacious enough, but it#39;s their terrace that we (and everyone else) seems to prefer. Picture gray cemented walls, red brick flooring, an open bar and massive barrels used as tables — everything that makes it a fun hangout throughout the week. The Gurgaon outpost churns out a very drinkable wheat and dark variant, while GK makes up for a lack of fresh brews with Bira 91 and Erdinger on tap. The cocktail menu is much more humble than that of Striker#39;s in Vasant Kunj, so don’t expect anything special and stick with your preferred poison. The kitchen cooks up a mix of global and Indian staples. We opted for their Tex-Mex Platter with plenty of deep fried delicious snacks that are great drinking buddies. Thursdays are Sufi Nights and Saturdays see some very heavy and loud Bollywood hits. On either night, we suggest you get there early for a good spot.
Critic reviews are anonymous and all bills are paid by them.
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Sandy's Cocktails Kitchen
Sandy originally started out behind the bar before putting his skills to good use and setting up the city’s first bartending company, so it makes sense that his first venture would have a mile long cocktail list. From martinis to signature concoctions and in-house takes on classics — they know their libations and that’s what you should go here for. The space itself has a warm and inviting disposition with a lovely garden seating that’s quite coveted. The adjoining floor has big bay windows so you can see outside, while the basement level is the performance area hosting live music on most nights with hummable blues and soulful jazz on the roster. And listening to the singer belt out a melancholic hit is exactly when you should order their One In Hand Is Better Than Two In The Bar. No, that’s not a song, but rather a potent amber hued mix of vodka, Chambord and amaretto that’s best sipped neat and at leisure. Though our rescue wagon (read: favourite) of the night was the Hot Apple Toddy — an off the menu classic they were happy to brew for us! Having always maintained that the perfect Martini is hard to find, we also ordered Bond’s Vesper — gin, vodka, lilet blanc — and while the goodies were all there, it missed the mark by a very small margin. Pair all that booze with some hearty grub of which the Chicken Shish Taouk, Truffle Jalapeno Cheese Balls and Cantonese Prawn Spring Rolls are good picks. Go here when you’re up for a little adventure — both with your drinks and your choice of music.
Happy Hours: 4pm-8pm
Critic reviews are anonymous and all bills are paid by them.
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Jokey Or Nothing
Behroopiya Entertainers is presenting a Hinglish comedy show with four ace stand-up comedy artists – Aakash Gupta, Gaurav Gupta, Amit Sharma and Srijan Kaushik. While two of them are married, two are unmarried but there is one thing common to all of them – that they are unhappy. So be ready for a lot of ranting and joking about girlfriends and wives interspersed with funny anecdotes.
Ticket prices: Rs 350
Tickets available on BookMyShow
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