masala house
Far away from the Hustle and Bustle of CP and Defence Colony Lies Sunder Nagar Market.
A Small U shaped Market that one used to visit earlier for Clothes Shopping @City Look, Having Desi Khana at nathu’s and was and is the Favourite spot of Many Foreigners who come and buy Souvenirs to take back home.
More or less the Market is same.
City look has gone, Nathu’s is there in new Avatar and The Small kiosk Kamal’s still serves great Food.
The Souvenir Shops have Artefacts have some that have been lying there for many years and some Fast moving ones are in the Showcase. I notice some have Sign Boards that seemed to be very old, just like the stuff they sell.
This time I was there in this quaint market for a Dinner at Masala House.
Have been hearing good stuff about this Indian Restaurant for many months, but somehow mauka nahi laga.
It changed yesterday.
As I took a short flight of stairs I could feel the Old world charm, though the place is new. But there is something about Wood and its colour that it makes everything around very comforting.
A I slipped into a Orange Chair, i could not help but appreciate the wine glass for water. I Love places that give attention to finer details.
Then looked around and thought to explore the 2 Floors.
Somehow I loved the Round Table that was illuminated by a circular Light, however it could seat only 6 and we were 12. Shall come back and sit here next time. Wapas aane ke Bahane chahiye hote hai. And masala house gave me many.
The Sitting, The Bar is Simple, but the Bathroom was not. They have Unisex bathroom and very spacious one. Spacious enough to place a huge RED chair in one corner. Yes, i know RED caught your attention as it did mine 🙂
Second floor was more spacious as it does not have a Bar, but they do have Podium for Live Performances that happen often.
Also on the 2nd Floor they had 2 Wine Racks and their Wine List would for sure impress many Wine connoisseurs.
Back to First Floor I had some time and went through the menu. While doing so I Noted down a few dishes in my diary that sounded Unique or very tempting. Wanted to try some of those for sure.
In a few minutes friends came over and the starters started reaching our table.
Kathal Varqui: The First one was a bite sized Basket with some Cooked Kathal in between. The presentation was great and so was the taste. Many Vegetarians as well as Non vegetarians seek the taste of Mutton from kathal and this one did justice, fully.
Aspragus Paddu: The Next dish that came was a burst of many flavours encased in the simple Puddu. One has to add that each dish was a twist from the Normal ones, but the simplicity of the main taste was not lost in Fusion.
Murgh Luqmi: Now my yearning for Non veg Dishes had started and One of the dishes that came was what i had marked in the Diary. “Murgh Luqmi” was pulled Chicken Pieces wrapped in a Filo pastry and baked. It was on expected Lines. Good.
Silbatte ki Shaami was what came next. Ab Shaami Kebab ka texture plays a big role in its Experience. And Today most of the players use Machinery to mince mutton rather than Pounding it or using a Mortar and pestle that ensures the Authentic texture and flavours.
Anarkali Tikki– Aah….. The First time I had a beetroot tikki was at “Made in Punjab” in Dec 2015 and uske baad have seen it evolved and spread to many places and now everyone has its own version. Good Novelty wise and Taste wise too. And Masala House did full justice to this Dish.
Must had one thing that the Waiters were well informed of the dish and the smile behind serving was palpable.
Dora kebab : Allow me to rate this as Top 10 Dishes you need to try in Delhi. The Masalas, The Herbs, The Style, The Taste, the Aftertaste, everything was TOP notch. I can go back to Masala House just for this. Even the Skewers/Kaathis are wooden just like they are supposed to be. Must order once you are there
One thing I need to add is that every dish at Masala House is well presented, but the dim light does in the restaurant does not do justice to it. Kuch log bas will take a bite. Since we were taking proper pics n bright Light, we could see and appreciate the beauty in each dish.
Dal Makhni,/Butter Chicken – These are 2 basic dishes and some how Chefs take these very dishes lightly and kill the experience. But not at Masala House. They beat many “Top rated best places to have Butter Chicken/Dal Makhni by a huge Margin.
The other Veg Dishes were appreciated by my friend, however I was too engrossed in my Dal Makhni/Butter Chicken that I just took a bite from Veg Main Course like Palak Moti.
Arre Haan, the Butter Chicken is called MogeWala Tamatari Kukad. Don’t know the Moga connect, but Butter Chicken was seriously good.
Was time to have desserts and rush back, but then a Chur CHur Naan Platter landed on our plate. Took a bite and Mooh se Mashallah Shabd nikal gaya. Bahut hi swadisht
Dessert mein I had Gajar Halwa Kunafa, Badam aur Khajoor ka Halwa.
Badam aur Khajoor ka Halwa to kamaal hi tha…… it was not those watery badam halwas, but a Firm one and each bit asked me to take one more and I kept obliging.
Gajar ka Halwa Kunafa had a great texture that you shall see in The Family of Baklavas. Was too Sweet for me, but can’t help it as the best of Baklavas I have had are over sweet,
So, Masala House should be your place to be for your next Family Dinner.
Meal for 2 without Drinks should cost you around 2000 with taxes.
Do not forget to Book in advance.
Do not forget to Order Dora kebab, Dal makhni, Butter Chicken, Chur Chur Naan and Badaur aur Khajoor ka Halwa.
Use Gourmet passport to get Buy One Get One (BOGO) on Main Course Dishes.