Californian cuisine, well-planned interiors and quirky title — The Hungry Monkey has everything to entice foodies, says Shrabasti Mallik
If one goes by the titles of most recently opened eateries in Delhi, one would conclude that anything quirky works to draw attention. Then of course there is food. While conventional is definitely passe, there is an interesting mix from across the world that’s doing wonders. The Hungry Monkey fortunately has both — a quirky title and global favourites. The newly-opened place at Safdarjung Enclave is being talked about for some unique and innovative dishes. Take for example, chicken breasts with espresso sauce, bang bang chicken rolls and grilled Greek feta melt.
As you step into the three storey restaurant, you will not miss the New York style loft ambience and bare brick walls. We could not help but wonder what the tagline ‘Eat Drink Play’ meant. The ground floor — with its faint, old school meets new age feel, numerous elements like encyclopedias stacked on shelves, a vintage hour glass and Edison light bulbs — is the place where people have their food, Eat. “The floor above is The Hungry Monkey Cocktail Bar, hence Drink. We serve our signature cocktails, the old-fashioned and the Manhattan, classic as well as smoked,” informed the owner Abhishek Patnaik. last is ‘play’. It’s an open terrace which overlooks the green foliage of the entire Deer Park. Furnished with wooden sitting arrangements and large canopy umbrellas, this is an ideal place to host a small party.
As we sat in a quaint corner, we were served a bun topped with oregano seasoning. Head chef Noah Barnes brought to the table roasted beetroot tartare with mascarpone cheese, mint leaves and roasted pine nuts. That was followed by Hungry Monkey’s special cold spinach gomae with baby spinach and roasted sesame in soy dressing, a preparation that will even impress the meat lovers.
“My friends and I decided to create a place where people can come, have a quiet time and enjoy a different range of food. There are a lot of cold preparations which many people have not heard of. What we have now is the summer menu and we have kept the food light because when the temperature is soaring outside, the last thing anyone would want is hot food,” said Abhishek.
They are currently working on a winter menu. The menu focuses on a global palate, through a surprising fusion of flavours, combined with fresh produce from organic farms.
We tried the espresso pan fried chicken breast served with balsamic grilled vegetables and bacon mash with coffee sauce, a dish that Noah claims is one of the highlights of the menu.
Those who love to experiment with their food can try Asian honey and soy braised pork ribs served with kimchi (on the side). While smoked salmon sarpaccio is a succulent fusion of flavours, baked fillet of sole cooked with lemon and rosemary, on a bed of saffron couscous and lemon butter cream is bound to tickle the taste buds of fish lovers.
We ended the meal with white chocolate parfait with almond and vanilla filo pastry cigar. Regular food and drink apart, one can also have a cool Sunday brunch here. Inspired by popular sitcom Sex and The City’s concept of a girls night out, The Hungry Monkey has turned Wednesdays into ladies Night.