The Delhi food especially the street food is any food enthusiast’s first love. As we took our places at Latitude at Taj Vivanta Hotel, Gurgaon, we were assured ‘a mysteriousfood journey’ from Chandni Chownk to Huda City Centre.
Of course like any other voyage we were initially briefed about what the whole experience is going to be like. Senior Sous Chef – Ramit Kohli, popularly acknowledged by us as RK, assists us with the concept. While conversing with RK we got to know that the menu for ‘Yellow Metro Line’ was conceptualised after a lot of brain storming on it and meticulous research went into it to identify and select the popular food of the metro stations that fall from Chandni Chowk to Huda City Centre. To begin with we were served with the Delhites favourite ‘Bante Wali Bottle, even though it was to come later as per the journey designed.
To get started with Chandni Chowk we were served, ‘Dahi Bhalle and Papri Chaat’. What we really liked about that was the presentation as they were served in the small authentic ‘khullars’ that immediately got us on our toes to click the pictures. Talking about how our palates reacted to the flavours that we were looking for? We really liked the papdi chaat which had the right crisp and size. Now, we were ardently looking forward to our grub from next station, Connaught Place. Subsequently came, ‘vegetarian and non-vegetarian bread rolls’. As kids, CP 
bread rolls and Keventer milk had always been one of our reasons for a trip to CP. Bread roll stuffed with minced chicken had a zesty flavour and pretty much melted in the mouth. The veg bread rolls though as per the menu were suppose to be stuffed with mozzarella cheese but what we tasted was the one with potato filling which was actually a letdown. Along with this we got sweet lassi, again a good presentation, topped with nuts and saffron gave it a nice colour.
Waiting with a little eagerness to what could be the next speciality from INA, we get a platter of ‘Tangdi Kebab, Dhabae De malai Tikka and Seekh Kebab’. Well, malai tikka weren’t as soft and the seekh had no distinct flavour associated with seekh kebab.
Though the staff was ardently trying to be at their best but goof ups do happen. One of the fellow blogger was served non-veg dishes though she had mentioned about being a vegetarian and it can be serious in our society where food and religion go hand in hand.
Moving further down the next station was Hauz Khas speciality and teenagers’ love, Momos. ‘Veg steamed momos served with hot garlic sauce. The sauce was great but momos failed to leave the mark.
And finally arrives the main course, vegetarians were served with MG road famed ‘Muttar Kulchae’ and we non-vegetarians with ‘Mutton Keema and Tawa Parantha’. Great texture but I wish mutton keema had tad less salt to it so that we could relish the flavours.
Giving it a pass, we eagerly waited for our dessert which was from our final destination, Huda City Centre. Therefore, as we were told, the team from Latitude wanted to serve their speciality so we got to experience ‘Vivanta Lemon Grass ice-cream with Dragon Fruit’. As we took the first bite we liked the vanilla flavour but lemongrass flavour was conspicuous by its absence.
Street food is not the easiest of things to bring together in a star hotel and I can only appreciate the thoughts and efforts behind it. It may not be the true reflection of the street food but I can safely take my visiting guests without the fear of Delhi belly.
Rating (Out of 5):
Food: 2.5 | Service: 2.5 | Ambience: 3.5 | Overall: 2.5
Credit Card: Yes | Meal for two: Rs 2000 | Alcohol: Yes
Address: Latitude, Taj Vivanta, Plot No-1, Sector 44, Near HUDA city metro station, Gurgaon | Phone Number: 0124-6671234
– Shivani Gupta
