ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Address: 11, Santushti Shopping Complex, Race Course Road, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
Time: 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,400
Cuisines: Italian, Continental, Cafe, Salad
Facilities: Outdoor Seating, No Alcohol Available
Diggin, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi: DECOR
One can simply not fault this restaurant on its look. It stands where Basil & Thyme used to be, and while the space is the same, it is the casual, informal way it has been done up which is very attractive. The outside courtyard has been covered with a temporary roofing and is a great option in good weather: all these years, it had never been used. The service too is prompt and proactive thanks to the girls from the North East that run the service here. The restaurant claims to take its last order at 10 pm, yet the signage outside Santushti Complex unequivocally says that timings are till 9.30 pm! Diggin has an older branch opposite Gargi College where I have had some stunning experiences, so I visited the new branch with sky-high expectations.
Diggin, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi: FOOD
Ever since I heard about their mascarpone risotto (Rs. 435), I have been mesmerised. I visualised a pure white, delicately flavored preparation of Arborio rice that had pearls of rice coated with mascarpone. The truth was a bit different. The risotto was pink with chilli powder and smelled of dried herbs that had been sprinkled, uncooked over the risotto. There was far more chilli than mascarpone in the rice. It was way too spicy for my palate and the restaurant graciously took it back and did not bill me for it, although I had not brought it to anyone’s notice: it was the initiative of the young lady who served me. Even the cheesy jalapeno poppers (Rs. 235) did not live up to their name: there was no flavor of jalapeno in the round balls coated with breadcrumbs and deep-fried till the mozzarella was gooey and flowing inside. A hint of jalapeno rather than chilli would have been welcome and a hint of a sharper cheese would have cut the oiliness successfully. Even the accompanying mayo was flavored with red chilli powder. It was the same with my Margarita pizza (Rs. 375): the crust was as crisp as a biscuit and the cheese was pleasantly elastic but without a trace of acid: even the tomato base lacked sourness. The cold coffee (Rs. 85), tasteless as it was, turned out to be a welcome relief!
Diggin, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi: PLUS AND MINUS
I wanted to try a grill but courage failed me.
