Cafe Delhi Heights
Resto-Bar
Food: 4 | Service: 3.5 | Décor: 3.5
After gaining popularity with their first outlet in Phoenix Marketcity, Cafe Delhi Heights opened another outlet at The Pavillion on Senapati Bapat Road in early 2019. It is a Delhi-based brand with more than 20 outlets in Delhi, NCR, Mumbai and Pune.
DÉCOR
Cafe Delhi Heights is located on the second floor of The Pavillion, which also houses quite a few other restaurants and bars. The space is contemporary and chicand beautifully designed to create a fun, light-spirited vibe. The most striking design feature is the cane chandeliers hanging from the ceiling which transform the space completely. There is a mini library and a games corner which makes it an ideal cafe cum all day diner. The seating is comfortable and ranges from booth seating with LCD screens (my personal favorite) to comfortable lounge chairs and sofas.
FOOD
The first thing we saw on the menu was a whole page dedicated to Delhi’s favourite, Banta Masala Soda. After the first round we kept repeating this tangy, spicy drink. Sadly the soda was served in glasses and we would have really liked if it was served in the traditional ‘banta’ bottles.
The impressive multi-cuisine menu is inspired by the true cosmopolitan spirit of Delhi. So you have dishes from different corners of the planet, and most have a delightful Dilli style twist to them. We started with the unique Panzanella Salad which was a warm salad made from grilled vegetables and focaccia bread. The Mini Mezze consisted of falafel, marinated olives, tabouleh, crispy pita, hummus, tzatziki and pickled vegetables. The mezze was tasty and very well put-together.
There is a quirky and nostalgic feel to the menu at Cafe Delhi Heights. When we saw the desi Chinese favorite Monster Chicken Lollipops on the menu, we just couldn’t resist. The chicken was tender and succulent and the lollipops were fried and coated with a spicy sauce. The nostalgia continues with the ISBT Makhani Maggi, which pays homage to the carts serving maggi and its many variants at ISBT bus stands throughout North India. Regular maggi was cooked in a creamy makhani sauce, which resulted in a cracker of a dish. Next we tried the the Belgian Pork Belly Tikka, which was a let-down. The tandoori spice marinade did not work well with the pork belly which was overcooked, tough and chewy.
Their meal combos section is named Tiffins and Lunch Box. Our server told us the Mom’s Buttered Chicken Tikka Masala was one of the most popular dishes on the menu. The buttered chicken was mild and creamy and the butter rotis and jeera rice were the right accompaniments. We also tried one of their other signature dishes, the Famous Thai Curry and chose the Vegetable Green Curry. The use of fresh ingredients like lemon grass and kaffir lime leaves was evident in the taste and flavor of the curry.
The dessert menu is limited, and we picked the Matichoor Laddu Cheesecake. The motichoor laddu bits in the cheesecake were perfectly sweet and balanced the otherwise creamy cheesecake well.
PLUS & MINUS
The creative menu is impressive and there is plenty of options for vegetarians and non vegetarians alike. Pick their signature dishes from the Dilli Ki Jaan menu, and you won’t be disappointed. Of course some flavor combinations and classic preparations are best to be left alone. Some items on the menu might seem slightly expensive, but Cafe Delhi Heights is a great option for shoppers and movie goers looking for a comforting and tasty meal in a chic and trendy atmosphere.
Must Try Dishes: Masala Banta Soda, ISBT Makhani Maggi, Monster Chicken Lollipops, Mom’s Buttered Chicken Tikka Masala, Vegetable Green Curry
Meal for Two: Rs. 2200
Address: No.403A, Unit No. 15, Second Floor, The Pavillion, Senapati Bapat Road, Pune - 411016
Contact: 020-66420710
Timings: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Photo Courtesy: Cafe Delhi Heights
Note:
The review was originally published in Pune Times on 7 February 2020.