Dhruvika Bhanot takes a trip to Khan Market and ends up in Andrea’s Bar and Brasserie, which is like a little piece of Paris and London amid the capital, with an assorted line of dishes combined with efficient service
Before I begin with my unappetising rendezvous with mushroom wontons, let me tell you how I found myself in the lap of a Parisian environment when I entered Andrea’s Bar and Brasserie. Clearly infused with European culture, the restaurant has a flair for London as well. It embodies the feeling of escaping the crisp wind on an evening in Covent Garden. It is warm, luxurious and cannot help but uplift the spirit. And while I would have loved to sit on one of the corner tables by the white windows, which deluded me into thinking I would see London streets if I looked out, the table we were shown was just as comfortable.
Though I had read through the menu multiple times, it might as well have been a Shakespeare sonnet (it was elaboratively beautiful), I was struck by the paintings by Keinichi Hoshine and John J Audubon decorating the walls. If my eyes found themselves fixated at them while I drank Summer is Back no one’s wiser. I could wax poetry about how elegant the interior is, the contrast between the white walls and the vibrant furniture. Another thing which reminded me of London was the proximity of the ceiling pieces to the table. The chance of your head actually colliding with it is negligible but it mirrored the aesthetic of London rooms, cozy and hospitable.
I can continue about the restaurant but as I was impatient to try the delectable dishes, I am as restless to satisfy the food with a verdict. As a prefix to our fancy dinner, I ordered Summer is Back Italian Basil, which as the name suggests is summer in a drink. A lone piece of orange floated atop and the first sip echoed my memories of childhood, it was zesty, fresh and everything summer. The other drink I entertained was less than perfect, Kiwi virgin mojito. Though devoid of any taste of kiwi, it would make a respectable mojito.
The menu, passionately crafted by chef Mohit Jaggi, was extensive in every sense, not only a number of palatable dishes but also diverse. It was reflective of the restaurateur, Andrea Pauro’s global food influences.
I skipped the salad and have no regrets because our amazing server, Lalit, brought Mushroom wontons to the table. I never judge dumplings at the first glance, a lesson learnt from a meal at a Chinese restaurant in Hawaii but I wish had. But before I got to dig my chopsticks in one of them, Arrabbiata Pasta came to the rescue. Though I am not a fan of the pastas, my first thought was — Italy in a plate. Garnished with chilli spices, it didn’t taper towards spicy but maintained a rather balanced taste. Although arrabbiata sauce is known as an ‘angry’ sauce and even if spicy food is a nemesis, this is an absolute must try.
Because I loved the pasta, I felt audacious and tried the Wontons. The filling was delicately wrapped in tender dough but nothing prepared me for the first bite. I like mushrooms, I’ll even be brave to say I love them but my taste buds unapologetically disagreed. They were juicy but I wouldn’t call them flavourful. The aftertaste was grateful drowned by Summer is Back.
Asian style chicken is one of the best one can have. Having had a taste of Asian chicken from Set’z, Hawaii and Singapore, I had high expectations and to say General Tso’s chicken soared through the roof is an understatement. The chicken, paired with rice, put an end to my dumpling woes. A perfect mix of sweet and spicy, tender but also crispy at the places, it might as well have been the dish of the night. Three servings of General Tso’s and it was happy meal.
My dinner would be incomplete without pizza, therefore, Exotic roasted vegetable pizza was the go-to choice. The thin crust sopped the toppings of black olives, jalapenos, broccoli, bell pepper, zucchini and sun-dried tomatoes. Savoury and flavoursome, without a doubt. Jalapenos are always a welcome presence on pizza, it adds a kick to the dish.
The indulgent dinner was concluded by perfection of a dessert — the Chocolate Dome — one of the most famous desserts of ABB. The delicious chocolate melted beautifully and inside the magical dome were generous chunks of chocolate cake and nuts for garnish. It’s a staple, one cannot come here and not experience the richness of the chocolate and the mild saltiness of the nuts.
With the exception of the dish that shall not be named, I was enamoured by the place. Another notable thing was the splendid playlist that played throughout the evening. Relishing food as Dean Martin’s Kiss played in the background? Could not have been better. It was like a little piece of Paris-London amidst Delhi, with an even more assorted line of dishes combined with efficient service. One can never have a ‘last time’ at the restaurant, I am sure Anton Ego would agree.