Uptown utopia

A brilliant band from the Philippines, bright buffets and round the clock service make an evening at the New Town Cafu00c3u00a9 better than the finest mall meal

Tasteful tummy's envy, eater's prideu00a0that'd make a good punch line for the New Town Cafe (NTC), tucked in a corner of Noida that houses the pretty Park Plaza. The hotel's in-house diner (and not the 'cafe' as it calls itself) may be spread across the whole lobby in terms of expanse, but that isn't the only thing that makes it larger than life. Here's our account of one night @ the NTC.u00a0

Food

Their breakfast options range from the Sunrise Skilletu00a0fried eggs on hash with mu00c3u00a9lange of ham, peppers and grilled onions topped with cheese and paprika, to the signature New Town Stacku00a0fluffy pancakes or French toast or waffles served with maple syrup and fruit skewer at Rs 245 each, apart from desi dishes like idlis and aloo paranthas. Team it with a Health Shake (Rs 155)u00a0a smooth blend of low fat yoghurt, skimmed milk and wheat germ flavoured with your choice of fresh fruit, and you're raring to go.

An a la carte supper isn't disappointing either. We began with Cream of Mushroom Soup (Rs 165), Antipasti platter (Rs 225) and the classic Caesar salad (295), all of which deserve a pat for freshness. In main course, we recommend the succulent Herb Crusted Norwegian Salmon (Rs 745) and Wild Mushroom Risotto (Rs 325), though butter-free freaks should stay away from the latter. Chief chef Vikas loves to cook the Chhoti Murgi Makkhan Wali (Rs 375), just in case your carnivorous instincts don't drift you towards the neatly arranged Grilled Australian Lamb Chops (Rs 745).

Wish you could nibble into more? There's always the rich yet healthy buffet around, with flavours that vary from Indian to Italian to Oriental and Lebanese. Exotic salads, assorted fruits and small pick-up servings of pastries are added baits. And, hardcore herbivores can get extra happy. "The special part of our help-yourself spread is that the number of vegetarian dishes is much more our expat guests always wondered what's special about Indian vegetarianism, so we decided to put all of it up for trial," beams a proud Vikas, as he boasts of the rare wood fried pizza oven that bakes the original crispy crust.

Desserts

A serving each of the Bitter Chocolate & Hazelnut Brownie and Tiramisu (both Rs 175) go a long way to say their saccharine indulgences are worth the dough.

Drinks

If a glass of Indian wine at Rs 299 isn't good enough for you, go for their imported sparklers that feel finer with every roll of the tongue. The Apple Mojito (Rs 175), too, gets a go ahead from us. And of course, there's the general stock of liquors and spirits for that happy high.u00a0

Ambience

First things firstu00a0the fact that NTC remains open till the wee hours comes as a welcome change in an otherwise nightlife starved Noida. The 166-seater space has a classy, chilled out vibe, as young musicians from the Philippines belt out soulful Boyzone numbers near the bar-lounge area. Twenty-five and 50-year-olds bond over business banter, and occasionally, a baby's cry drowns the guitar. The place is suited for allu00a0families, dates and executives. Large photographs and ceiling sculptures add contemporary charm. The menu could do with some basic spelling corrections, but the overall experience makes that pardonable.

New Town Cafe

Where: Park Plaza, Block C,
Sector 55, Noida
Timings: 7 am to 1 am
Ring: 0120-4678888
Meal for two: Rs 2,000