For Manmohan Singh, Delhi was more than the bustling seat of power, it was a city where he found joy in books, food and family.

The former prime minister, who passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on Thursday at the age of 92, cherished moments of detachment from his demanding work, indulging in quiet escapes to bookshops and iconic eateries with his loved ones.

In her memoir, titled "Strictly Personal", Singh's daughter Daman Singh provides a rare glimpse into these outings, calling them "thrilling excursions".

"Our most thrilling excursions were to bookshops: Ramakrishna and Sons in Kashmere Gate, and Galgotia and New Book Depot in Connaught Place. Let loose among the tantalising shelves, we would stumble out in a drunken daze, clutching our purchases," she writes.

The family would often spend hours at these bookstores.

However, it was the culinary journeys that truly captured Singh's delight

in the city.

In her memoir, Singh's daughter recalls that "every couple of months, we went out to eat at preordained locations: Krishna Sweets in Kamla Nagar for south Indian food, the Tandoor in Daryaganj for Mughlai, Fujiya on Malcha Marg for Chinese, and Bengali Market for chaat".

"Manmohan Singh used to visit our restaurant often in those days," recalls Manpreet Singh, the owner of Fujiya.

"He particularly enjoyed hot and sour soup and spring rolls. The kids loved American chopsuey. They also used to send someone to pick up food for home delivery. The last takeaway was about three years ago and their last visit was in 2007," Manpreet Singh said.

At Krishna Sweets, the family savoured dosas and idlis while Bengali Market's papri chaat and golgappas added a burst of flavour to their outings.

The Tandoor's rich Mughlai dishes were another staple in their rotation, highlighting Singh's appreciation for Delhi's diverse cuisine.