Sevilla is one of the most romantic restaurants in NCR, and known for its food and wine collection. It is the outdoor, candlelit setting and live music though, that creates a perfect mood for romance. As it so happens, I have never been to this restaurant. So I am here today to rectify this one significant flaw in my eating out repertoire.
It is a warm evening when we reach Savilla through the walk way adjacent to the hotel. We are greeted by the restaurant manager Ashwani Kaushik who leads us into the torch lit restaurant complex. We have a choice of the Cabana outside or air-conditioned environs inside. With the warm and humid weather outside, we choose comfort over beauty and decide to sit inside.
Soon after we are seated, we are served some of the restaurant’s classic Sangria, which is beautifully made, getting us excited about the food to follow. We are also served an amuse bouche of goat cheese rolled inside watermelon along with watermelon juice. The stage is now set for the tapas courses. Ashwani has decided to serve a vast array of delicious appetizers in small plates. He also recommends a Spanish Chardonnay (2010) to go with it, and it truly is an excellent wine.
The serving of tapas is designed to encourage conversation because people are not so focused upon eating an entire meal that is set before them. And with small plates periodically appearing on the table and its contents disappearing into our tummies, we are enveloped by a mellow, gracious mood and appreciate life around us. We start with the healthier version of Gambas con Chorizo (Rs 495) or pan roasted prawns and string chorizo with garlic, chili and fresh thyme. Unlike what I have seen in the bars at Europe, the prawns and chorizo are not immersed in olive oil. The Spanish Josper oven is a recent acquisition by the restaurant, and you can think of it as a horizontal tandoor where one can regulate the temperature. Cordero (Rs 595) is Josper oven grilled New Zealand lamb chops served with honey aioli. The oven helps the chops capture a great smoky taste.
The vegetarian Patatas Bravas (Rs 395; deep fried potato cylinders smothered in a spicy hot sauce) are a better looking interpretation of the popular dish where normally cubes are served. Montados (Rs 395) are vegetarian crostinis with four different toppings – artichoke romana, marinated peppers, tomato and cheese, and eggplant caviar. Datiles con Tocino ‘Como Hace Todo el Mundo’ (Rs 495) has Manchego cheese stuffed dates wrapped in crispy bacon and served with apple remoulade. It is an interesting dish though a bit too sweet for my liking.
The starters are where the deliciousness quotient goes up significantly and keeps going further up with every dish. Sea Scallops (Rs 1395) on thyme fondant, roasted shallots purée, noilly prat (vermouth) sauce and micro greens are awesome. The Foie Gras (Rs 1495) terrine with fig jam, black truffle, pan seared with roasted plum salsa and red wine gastrique is to die for. My palate sings when I eat it, and I can’t help but sigh with pleasure. Paella Valenciana (Rs 1595) is classic paella from Valencia region consisting of string chorizo, seafood and chicken, and is made proficiently.
Sous Chef Ranjit Singh Rawat continues to dish out great food with the main course too. Pan Seared Black Cod (Rs 1995) with charred red onion smoked bacon & mushroom persillade, mousselline potato & red wine jus is melt in mouth perfect. Pizza Salamino Piccante (Rs 1495) is essentially pepperoni pizza, which has been perfectly baked in a mango wood fired stone oven. It is one of the best pizzas I have had anywhere in India.
Wagyu (as per Wikipedia) refers to meat from a breed of cattle, which is genetically predisposed to intense marbling and to producing a high percentage of oleaginous unsaturated fat. This meat is known for its quality, and demands a high price. It is also known by various other names, including Kobe. Here what we are served is charcoal grilled Wagyu (Rs 3995) with sage gnocchi, sweet paprika and onion marmalade with burgundy sauce. The dish is so beautiful, it literally brings tears of joy to my eyes. A crispy first bite into Wagyu leads to a perfectly yielding meat with an unforgettable taste.
With very little space left for dessert one is contemplating skipping the dessert course, but Ashwani recommends we do try a couple of them . Dark chocolate fondant (Rs 795) is an indulgent soft centered dark chocolate fondant served with banana jelly, chocolate soil, raspberry reduction, banana gelato. And how can one leave a Spanish restaurant without having their Classic Spanish Churros (Rs 795)? How can one go wrong with a churro flavoured with cinnamon powder and dusted with Iranian pistachios served with warm chocolate sauce? It is a perfect end to a most memorable meal.
Sevilla serves some amazing food. The ingredients are all imported hence authentic, and what impresses me most is that such a fantastic meal is served by a 100% Indian cooking staff. It is high on my list for any special day, especially so in the winters!
Ratings (Out of 5)
Food: 4.5 | Ambience: 4.5 | Service: 4.5 | Overall: 4.5
Meal for two: Rs.6000 | Alcohol: Yes | Credit Card: Yes | Wheel chair friendly: Yes | Address: Claridges Hotel, 12 Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi 110001| Tel 011 4133 5133
Ratings (Out of 5)
Food: 4.5 | Ambience: 4.5 | Service: 4.5 | Overall: 4.5
Meal for two: Rs.6000 | Alcohol: Yes | Credit Card: Yes | Wheel chair friendly: Yes | Address: Claridges Hotel, 12 Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi 110001| Tel 011 4133 5133
