Ever loved a place in an instant even before experiencing it? If not, Delhi Club House will be a first for you. This newly-opened restaurant in Sangam Courtyard is proudly owned by MarutSikka of Keya fame and just like all his other offerings, it exceeds expectations. The cuisine on offer is a commonly practiced (maybe even safe) combination of North Indian and Chinese. However, the reason for the choice of cuisines is mentioned in their menu and makes for an interesting read: since the idea behind this restaurant is to recreate the dining out experience of the days of the British Raj, the menu comprises of hand-picked dishes- belonging to the most popular colonial clubs across the country- that were relished by the Britishers and the affluent Indians. It isn’t just the menu that gives you a taste of that era; the interiors as well take you back in time. With the chairs, tables, window panes, and even the bar- all dark wood, the classic vintage look is created. As you enter through the red curtains into an airy room with simple, classy furniture, dim lighting and a soothing ambience, you can feel the old-world charm but also can’t help imagine the evening ahead to be pleasant.
We were greeted at DCH with a warm welcome and politely escorted to our seats. First, we ordered the cocktails that didn’t just sound interesting but tasted delicious too. From the classic Whiskey Sour to the more trending martinis, their drinks are absolutely high on flavour. Don’t stop at alcohol as the food here is equally tasty. On our server’s recommendation, we ordered the Masala cheddar toast, Yam galouti kebab, and Prawn cutlet. All the appetisers (yes, we ate more), made their way to our list of ‘always order dishes’ but the succulent Galouti kebab stole the show. Even though our stomachs shouted out ‘no’, we listened to our greedy hearts and went on to carefully study the entrees. We rightly called for the Amritsarichanakulcha, which led us to unknowingly lick our fingers, and the Prawn masala with corn rice, which had just the right amount of spice and a subtle yet remarkable flavour. They say, ‘There is a separate stomach for dessert’, but in our case that space had been taken up by the savouries. So with a heavy heart, we skipped dessert. If it matters, the Old fashion fruit cream would have been our pick as it would be interesting to try out their version of this age-old dessert.
Their music collection deserves a special mention as it kept us swaying through the night. It could be too contemporary for one’s liking, but to be fair, they play the lesser heard versions of the popular tunes. The staff gives you the right amount of space and at the same time ensures you are taken care of. Not to forget, the bar has been magnificently designed and rightly occupies the centre of the restaurant. At Delhi Club house, conversation and drinks just keep flowing. Before you know it, the magical evening ends but with the promise of a repetition the next time you visit. Lastly, we are sorry to paint such a rosy picture, but we aren’t to blame- the experience was such.
