As the name itself suggests, you need to be a certain kind of personality to enjoy this space. After its success at the bursting-at-its-seams Hauz Khas Village, Social found a place for itself in South Delhi's Defence Colony market a year ago, and as is located where the once-popular Mocha was. One year down, there is a new menu and new cocktails, to give the place a leg up. While the focus here continues to be on a shared work space for those who don't necessarily have office space and are looking to be inspired, it has slowly turned into a buzzing hangout for creative kinds. The look of the space is warehouse-ish, almost industrial, and the furniture and furnishings reflect this sparse, minimal, look.
Social is teeming with very young entrepreneurs, lawyers, journalists, and has a distinct energy that is proportionate with the age of those who inhabit it. The drinks are reasonably priced and once again reflect the taste of the generation that's currently at work. Inventive, exciting and modern, the space is unpretentious and what you see on the menu is pretty much what you get.
Pears,beetroot and chevre Salad
Try The Lantern, a whisky-based cocktail has Jim Beam and smoked orange marmalade and is actu8ally served inside a white lantern, or the aromatic Schizophrenia, created using Absolut vodka, orchid, lavender. This comes wedged between a mirror, so true to its name, you see yourself sipping on a drink, no matter what angle you hold the mirror at.
Sandwitch Sliders
This is not a place for dining, but the finger food and breakfast is super. Since the first lot starts trickling in a little after 9.30, the breakfast is a big draw. While Riyaaz's (the main promoter of the space) breakfast of champions, which comprises Irish coffee, PBJ (peanut butter and jam), a steak sandwich, anda shammi and a milkshake is real value for money and remains a draw, new additions like the Don't Be Salli Par Edu, a favourite Parsi meal of straw potatoes topped with two sunny side up eggs and served with pao, fried chili and pickle is a great way to start your day.
Street Laksa Curry
The munchies section is what you should focus on with the new additions. The Salchipappas or French fries topped with Thousand Island dressing, honey mustard chicken sausage and fried egg is a great accompaniment to almost every drink. The pork belly pops served with curry leave powder and dried apple and chilly chutney is salty, sour and delicious as are the Kerala coin parathas topped with lal maas, sukka chicken and paneer. They have also added a vegetarian burger and a number of keema pao-type variations using the pao and Asian staples like the laksa and other meals in a bowl. The food is inexpensive and the flavours simple. Skip dessert though as it can be a disappointment.
The Naam Noodle Bowl
This is not posh food by any standard but if the drinking or collaborative working is your focus, you could not choose better. In keeping with its young, hipster vibe, Social also has open mike nights on alternate Thursdays, providing a space to budding comic talent (bilingual at that) from across the city. Head here if you are either young (read 18-26) or want feel young and are keen to enjoy a fun drink in a space that's not over the top.
Papaya Salad
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Kerala coin paratha
All cocktails
Meal for two
Rs 1500 plus taxes
Reservations
011-33105934
