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Laidback Diwali Lunching
The weeks leading up to Diwali can be exhausting! We shop, attend card parties, go to various Melas, distribute gifts among family members, and decorate our homes. This hectic activity merits Diwali day being simply enjoyed with family. Once the puja’s were over, I only wanted some comfort food and a long nap! The Yellow Brick Road at the Vivanta by Taj- Ambassador was the perfect place for that.
The Ambassador Hotel (as it was previously known) is an iconic 5-star property located in the heart of Delhi (Sujan Singh Park). Growing up, the restaurants here were always a popular choice for family outings. Their coffee shop in particular, which has retained its branding, name and ethos, was always a favourite. Many young people still frequent it for late-night, post-party meals! With the advent of numerous fantastic eateries, I hadn’t visited this old-timer for years.
On Diwali, many stand-alone restaurants were closed for business, so a 5-star was a logical choice for lunch. The place was empty so we received the exclusive attention of the staff. After initial confusion it was made clear that alcohol was being served. The four of us ordered two soups, three main courses, a fresh lime soda and three beers. All things considered, the bill was good value for money.
The soups we chose were the Canja Da Galina (a flavourful Portuguese broth of rice and chicken with fresh coriander), and the Paloc (cumin and tomato flavoured Hungarian lamb soup with beans, potatoes and sour cream). It’s rare to find such interesting dishes from the world cuisine genre in Delhi. The Canja De Galina was the perfect remedy for my horrible allergies, as it’s a light yet filling broth of chicken soup. The Paloc was spicy and flavorful.
Canja Da Galina Soup
Our main courses were more standard fare with the vegetarian Vivanta Club Sandwich (cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and coleslaw); the Croissant-wich (freshly baked large croissant filled with chicken salad); and the Spaghetti Carbonara (bacon, egg, cream and parmesan). The club sandwich was creamy and tasty, as was the Spaghetti. The Croissant-wich was a filling and rather yummy concoction. We ordered Bira’s to accompany the meal.
The ambience is American diner-esque with its cheery yellow walls and liberal use of unpolished wood. Over the years, they have consistently maintained a look that is now gaining popularity with other restaurants. There is a pretty outdoor section with a little pond and lots of potted plants. We chose to sit outside as the weather was quite accommodating. The service was friendly, though the main course dishes took quite long to be served.
Pretty Ambiance
I believe you can’t go wrong with your order here. It may not be the best gourmet meal in town, but it offers very satisfying food at a very satisfying price point!
Price per head (including drinks): INR 1600/-
Restaurant Rating: 4/5 stars
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