ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Address: A-12, Inner Circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi India
Time: 12 Midnight to 1 AM, 12:30 PM to 12 Midnight
Meals for two: Rs. 1,800
Cuisines: Mexican
Facilities: Full Bar Available, Smoking Area, Table booking recommended, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options, Live Music, Live Sports Screening, Live Entertainment, Board Games
Rodeo Cantina & Kitchen, Connaught Place, New Delhi Mexican Restaurant: Decor
The heavy, cluttered look of yesteryear is gone, along with the dark wood that symbolised Delhi’s oldest (and only, for the longest time) Mexican eatery. It was a reflection of customers’ tastes in the 1980s and ‘90s when chillies and rajma characterised Mexican food for most of us! Today, the white walls with daubs of intense colour is a complete change, along with clean lines and bright lights. Even the music is contemporary Mexican, much to the delight of the occasional Mexican tourist who wanders in. Service is attentive, yet not unduly so: you are given your space but the young
fellows on the job have an eye on your table without breathing down your neck. The amazing part about the food is that the meatless dishes are among the tastiest on this menu. After enjoying a melange of flavors, ingredients and textures, did I realize that I had not ordered a single meat preparation! Did I feel shortchanged? Not in the least!
Rodeo Cantina & Kitchen, Connaught Place, New Delhi Mexican Restaurant: Food
Do start with guacamole artisanal (Rs. 550/1,000 for 2/4 people) with Haas avocados and tortilla chips in which the flavour of the corn comes through clearly. Guacamole platter (Rs. 775 for 3 kinds) and salsa platter (Rs. 475 for 5 kinds) go out on each and every table, whether they have come to drink or eat! The guacamole has not been Indianised in the least: the freshness of the tomatoes, the tartness of the lime juice and the sheer quality of the avocados as well as the contrasting textures is what makes this dip so irresistible. Potato skins (Rs. 350) are hearty and filling, with a smidgeon of tomatoes, onions, cilantro and chilli for a pleasant Mexican touch. My favorite was the tortilla soup (Rs. 300/375 with chicken). Ever so slightly thick, it was made with tomato paste and chillies, to which sour cream and avocado were added to the broth. Tortilla strips become softened in the hot soup and add yet another dimension. In general, choose meats over seafood here: chicken, lamb etc are popular and hence, fresh.
Rodeo Cantina & Kitchen, Connaught Place, New Delhi Mexican Restaurant: Plus & Minus
The layout is deceptively simple, but the part I like best is the one by the windows; the bar stools are the most popular spot. Rodeo is a bar, a hangout place and a restaurant, depending on your choice.
