Metro secrets - Delhi
EAT
The place: Ivy
Where: New Friends Colony, Lotus Commercial Tower
Why it’s hot: It probably has the best single malt collection in the city. Check out the lavish European menu and try the steaks and lobsters.
Must try: Alaskan Salmon Cutlets, Grilled Jumbo Prawns
Cost: Rs 3,000 for two
Open: 12 noon-1 a.m.
Contact: 011-41627744
Business Class
The place: Embassy Restaurant
Where: D Block, Connaught Place
Why it’s hot: As regulars will tell you, this place has continued to delight connoisseurs over time. Vegetarians can enjoy some lovely pindi chana, an old favourite here. Non-vegetarians can check out the Fish Amritsari and Chicken Pakodas—not to mention the Embassy special pudding.
Must try: Dal Meat, Embassy Pudding
Cost: Rs 1,500 for two
Open: 12 noon-11 p.m.
Contact: 011-23416434/7480
Economy Class
The place: Aap Ki Khatir
Where: Nizamuddin
Why it’s hot: Foodies will tell you that this is the place to stop for some fantastic kebabs at affordable prices. Check out the Kakori Kebab rolls and the spicy, soft-as-sin Burra Kebabs.
Must try: Mutton Tikka Kebab
Cost: Rs 300 for two
Open: 6 p.m.-11 p.m.
Contact: 91-9810764449
STEP OUT
Short trip
The place: Pataudi Palace
Where: Pataudi
Why it’s a must visit: Pataudi Palace is an oasis in the lush countryside of Gurgaon. It’s a perfect place to spend a few relaxed hours in the lap of nature and heritage and is situated just 60 km (one and a half hours) from Delhi. This beautiful white palace was built by Nawab Ibrahim Ali Khan and currently is home to famous cricketer Tiger Pataudi. The stunning verandahs frame the skies with a breathtaking view of rose and cypress gardens.
How to get there: Take the NH8 from Manesar toll gate and then turn left
Entry fee: Free
Shorter trip
The place: Asola Wildlife Sanctuary
Where: Close to Tughlaqabad fort
Why it’s a must visit: This is a lovely trip to go on. It’s almost within city limits as well. If you are heading off into dense thickets, it will pay to have a guide. The walk starts at the Conservation Education Centre and veers off to the black buck enclosure, one of India’s most heavily protected species of deer. Nilgai, jackals and spotted deer can also be seen here.
How to get there: Drive past Shooting Range Road and head towards Tughlaqabad Fort
CHECK OUT
Where: Off Hailey Road near Connaught Place
Why you must see it: This beautiful thousand-year-old stepwell, with the towers of Connaught Place in the background, will impress you. As you go down the steps to each of the five floors, you sink back in time, until all that seems real are the towering walls and the massive neem tree that shades it.
Entry fee: Free
Open: Sunrise to sunset
The place: Hauz Khas
Where: Hauz Khas Village, South Delhi
Why you must see it: This 13th century monument is a large tank excavated by Allaudin Khilji. The tank was later re-excavated by Firoz Shah Tughlaq. The chambers around the tank have a historic significance as the tomb of Firoz Shah Tughlaq is located here.
Entry fee: Free
Open: Visit before sundown
WALK
Why you should take this walk: Discover Old Delhi. Walk past the Gurudwara Sis Ganj to Naugarha, a collection of nine temples, and have the Old Delhi breakfast of berwi-aloo. Next, walk up to the old and famous jalebiwala at the corner of Dariba— famous for its association with Jawaharlal Nehru. Carry on till the sign Ghantewala beckons you to stop. The shop, a favourite of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has been selling sweets from the time the sun was setting on the Mughals. So, where does this journey end? Turn to the right from Fatehpuri Masjid and the street is home to two Chandni Chowk institutions: Giani’s Daulat ki Chaat (sweetened milk froth cooled overnight) and lassi served in an antique brass vessel at Makhan Lal Tikka Ram’s 100-year-old stall. The last time we went there for lassi, the owner had just come back from the highly regarded textiles fair in Dusseldorf, Germany. Chandni Chowk’s reputation has travelled wherever food lovers outnumber food snobs.
SURF
The place: Nai Sarak
Where: Near Chawri Bazar in Old Delhi
Why it’s a must visit: It’s without doubt, Delhi’s biggest wholesale and retail market for textbooks. But that shouldn’t deter the bookworms, as the street also has a treasure trove of biographies, fiction and motivational and self-help books. There is literally something for everyone here. Many shops offer a 20 per cent discount on best selling works.
Timings: 11.30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Open: All days, except Sunday
My favourite bookstore
William Dalrymple, writer and historian. “I love to browse through books at The Bookshop in Jor Bagh, more so because it’s owned by a man who loves books. K.D. Singh, the owner is an affable man who knows his books. Of course, the coffee he makes for me is an added incentive.”
SHOP
The place: Shahpur Jat Village
Where: One of Delhi’s largest villages, the up-market Shahpur Jat houses many designer boutiques. Whether you want carpets or curios or the latest styles in stilettos, you’re sure to find them here. The coolest thing is that most of what you buy here will not be as expensive as other designer outlets.
Open: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
