11 April,2011 08:46 AM IST | | Promita Mukherjee
From exotic teas to delectable dimsums, Chynna Gold at Hilton Janakpuri has a lot to offer
It took me quite some time to decide whether I should just pass this on. But once I got over the mindblock of travelling all the way to Janakpuri for a Chinese meal (as you can figure out, I stay in 'the' south), things fell into place like zip, zap, zoom.
I must admit, I was not keen on going to Janakpuri (like really, whoever goes there for a decent meal, any meal for that matter). However, once I got over the area - not really the best location for a star-rated property - the Hilton property here was actually quite nice.
I was ushered to their Chinese restaurant, Chynna Gold, located on the first floor, alongside their Italianu00a0 restaurant and overlooking the huge lobby area. The restaurant is divided into three parts. Once you enter there is the general seating area, walk in past giant statues and you reach the fancy tea room and then there is the private dining area meant for parties etc.
Tea time stories
While I was sceptical about the location, it was good to find the restaurant pretty much full on a weekday night. Families kept trickling in and out. I was told since there aren't too many options in Janakpuri, a lot of localites prefer visiting the restaurants here. I liked the fact that the tables here were arranged so that there is enough arm and leg space for anyone to move around. While the general dining area isn't huge, it is comfortable with soft music playing. They have a wide selection of teas which I was very keen to try out. So the entire trolley-full of tea was brought along. They have a separate tea menu so you can drink tea mixed with 24 carat gold (Immortal Moment tea) or try what emperors drink. Then there is tea mixed with chocolate. They all take different times to be prepared and the waiters make tea right there on the table with a cool hour glass keeping time. Neat, I thought.
Getting 'filthy'
For those who love their alcohol, the restaurant serves everything from single malts to liqueurs and cognacs, throwing in the gins and vodkas for good measure. There is also a wide selection of cocktails. I tried Filthy martini with gin, olive and jalapenos and quite liked it. But enough of liquids, I finally thought and decided to move on to something more solid.
It's more solid
First up on my order was the Assorted steamed dim sum basket which had prawn, scallop and chicken dumplings. The prawn and scallop dumplings were good but there was nothing unusual about the chicken dumplings. For appetizers, I went for Beijing duck wrap, perfect with some Bailey's Irish cream. The duck was cooked well and tasted good too.u00a0 For main course, I played it safe and went for some decently made Spiced lamb fried rice with some Sichuan pepper prawns. The portions were good and I was already feeling stuffed. But not before I tried the dessert, Fried ice cream. A disappointing end.
At: Hilton new delhi, Janakpuri district centre complex
Timings: 12.30 pm to 2.45 pm, 7 pm to 11.45 pm
Ring: 41234123
Meal for two: Rs 2,000 + taxes
