Berco's

Location: 2nd Floor, MGF Metropolitan Mall, Saket, New Delhi

When it comes to food, I maintain a platonic relationship with Chinese cuisine, thus making it customary to partake it “at least” twice a week (constrained by my monthly allowance, sigh!).Thus, when my roommate lost a wager, I saw it as an opportunity to try the brand which has been synonymous to the Indian Chinese in Delhi and has been “THE FOOD” for a lot of people. Berco’s has existed for a long time, expanding the outlet to various locations and usually gets its business more from repeat customers which shows the power of their food.

The centre of attraction has always been food here. People from various walks are visible in this restaurant, ranging from school kids to the college kids, a bag packer to a business man with his wife, office goers to a shopaholic with a lot of shopping bags. No matter what time you go to Berco’s, you will never have the feeling of being alienated. This place is packed almost anytime. At lunch time be ready to wait for a good 20-30 min. fortunately we managed to find a spot without much ado.

We ordered for Chicken dim sums, Mongolian Prawns and Chicken Path Thai Noodles with Fruit Beer and Mojito Mint (the beverages were a bit substandard).

Food, as I said is the main attraction here. They have got the taste right which matches to our Indian palate. Most of the dishes are spicy and have an option of being spicier on request. The serving quantity is good and you can rely on the same quality even if you visit them 100 times. Their lunch combos are a hit for the office goers who don’t want to waste any time deciding what to eat. Ambience is beautiful and very peaceful with light music. You feel settled with their courteous and nice hospitality. The service is quick and pleasurable. The prices are reasonable in comparison to other restaurants of same standards. The menu is agreeably designed and the food shots are very good and tempting.

I would love to dine at Berco’s again and I’m most certain that this place will never fail to please me.

Overall Rating: 3.5 /5

Ambience: 3.5/5

Food: 3.8/5

Service: 3.5/5

Price: 3.5/5

Picture courtesy: Google Images

Tamura

LOCATION: 21, Community Center, New Friends Colony, New Delhi

My first experiment (hopefully not last) with Japanese cuisine was variegated, thus preventing me from being critical or judgmental. Honestly, I did not like the food but then if you don’t have a developed palate for this particular cuisine, you’ll most likely end up being condemnatory.

To an admirer, this place is a luxury. The nice low seating, closed doors, bamboo decor and well-dressed waiters, makes this place magnificent. This place is a quintessential Japanese restaurant and you can hear Japanese being spoken in various 'cubicles' which is refreshing. The authenticity of the place can be derived by the people who visit. I bet, whenever you go to Tamura, you will definitely find some locals (not desi’s, but Japanese). As you enter the restaurant the first thing you’ll notice is the sunken seating arrangement and in order to be seated you “have” to take off your shoes. Their menu is pretty extensive. If you need help with the menu, they are more than glad to explain it to you and even help you to take a decision.

My uncle, like me, worships food and is appreciator of this restaurant. He remarks that sushi is definitely not their forte but does not deny that their nigiri and maki being rather good. During several visits to NFC he got opportunity to try their crispy prawn tempura, pork, yakitori and rice. He recounts the food to be simple but flavorsome. He opines that the quality of their wasabi, pickled ginger and soya is outstanding, and does make a difference to derails the taste of tempura and sushi. He asserts that the food is pretty good, very Japanese and heartwarming. In conclusion he avers that their Sushi was good but Izikaya was better, Udon noodle bowl was exquisite and nothing can beat their Teriyaki chicken.

I wont suggest you anything in particular and bias your opinion but would rather push you to go there and decide on yourself (as the same will be followed by me in future). Nevertheless, it’s a good place to get a change of taste and enjoy authentic Japanese food, in a welcoming atmosphere.

Cafe Turtle

LOCATION: Shop 23, 1st & 2nd Floor, Khan Market, New Delhi

“Happy Place” is familiarized with the notion of a place that, in short, just makes us happy. Sometimes, you just need to break to a place you love, a place to get away from everything. Place which is for smiles, explicitly for our smile. A place where perturbation of Law School, sirens, deadlines, "Mommmmmmmyyyy" all evanescence. Where you can just sit and be content with where you are in that moment and not wanting to leave for many moments to come.

This small, not so stuffy cafe is my Happy Place.

Amidst, adjusting in law school, being in co-ed environment for the first time, figuring out that will the decision of leaving NIFT and joining Jamia be in my best interest and first encounter with “Dilli ki Sardi”, I inadvertently found this place. Vividly remembering my first step, it was love at first bite. The first floor of the cafe is a bookstore owned by my phuphu’s friend, thus entitling me to a discount of 20% :D. The second floor is where the café is situated. The ambience of this place is captivating. The place is an ideal spot for book lovers, thinkers and people who love to introspect. No words can describe the warmth, which it inculcates in your mind and soul.

There is nothing I dislike about this place, the food (vegetarian :/ ) is amazing, the décor is simple with green being the dominant colour. The staff lets you have your “me” time and is friendly, they understand that this is the kind of place where people like to sit with a cup coffee and a book and they give them peace they deserve.

I highly recommend the readers to try their coffee and cakes. Their afters are similar to the comfort cakes and puddings which your mother makes; not over the top sweet and fancy but are still PERFECT.

So, if you ever have the chance of shopping at Khan Market or just want inner peace, visit this place. I assure you you’ll fall in love with this café as I did.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Ambience: 5/5

Food: 4/5

Service: 5/5

Price: 4/5 (Pricy because of Khan Market)

 Picture courtesy: Google Images