09 March,2011 07:46 AM IST | | Rocky Thongam
That someone took some risk and messed around with desi cuisine. This place does it and for good
If you were to personify, Green Park market in south Delhi, with its rows of ritzy coffee shops and pizzerias, will win hands down the White Swan's part in Darren Aronofsky's 2010 psychological thriller.
Green Park Extension market would be its darker alter ego -- the Black Swan. And a few upcoming restaurants in the market, among the cluster of banks and auto repair shops are seductively adding sensuality into it. Case in point, It's About Us -- a restaurant which takes pride in its USP 'reinventing Indian cuisine' -- is not only adding zing to the area but contributing towards culinary creativity too.u00a0
Fusion is the word
What would be cooking without a little risk? So they have an Uttapam Lasagne and an Upma and Punjabi rice. There are Naan Pizzas and a Gajjar Halwa Tart. Surprisingly, they seem to work, the patrons who have tried them like them. So, I walked into the place yesterday and ordered their veg and non-veg tandoori platters, which a friend had recommended. My personal report card -- the mutton tikka was surprisingly succulent without losing its smoky edge, something which I didn't expect. The chicken one was like any other I had washed down in the past few days; in fact I can count at least three meat shops around the vicinity which sell better tikka. The Fish Tikka again was disappointing.
If the meat separates too fast after I dig in my fork, I have freshness paranoia, and my mind starts dwelling over issues like frozen or thawed. Did the flesh bounce back when the chef touched it? Did the eyes bulge, were the gills bright pink?
However, the Vermicelli crusted prawns with mustard raita were 'yummylicious'. If I wasn't worried about my expanding waistline (See honey! Are you reading this? I'm indeed worried!) I would have polished them off. The best ones on the veg platter (Smoked paneer, Tandoori mushrooms and Tandoori aloo filled with cheese) were the Tandoori mushrooms, I wish they were a little crisper.
Big daddy
The decor is simple and soothing. The cushions are tacky but the tables here are wide enough, giving you complete freedom to leave your manners aside and move your arms around digging into other people's plates (only if those accompany you and ignore your ghastly behaviour). The portions are equally big (recommended to those who enjoy coming out of restaurants with the illusion of having robbed a joint off its pants). It also boasts of an extensive wine list from different countries.
The Chooza Makhani and Roasted spice-crusted New-Zealand lamb rack (in korma sauce and stir-fried spinach) is what I enjoyed here. And I loved the idea that it was cooked the desi way but without using turmeric. But the must-have here comes in the end -- the Chikoo ice cream and the Rose Petal Kulfi. Great discoveries and I'm happy I was recommended to try them.
At: Green Park Extension Marketu00a0
Timings: 12.30 to 11.30 pm
Ring: 41619000
Meal for two: Rs 1,200 + taxes
