At Babelon, it's the tales of virtually active walls with sculptures and shimmering hookahs that weave the magic

At Babelon, it's the tales of virtually active walls with sculptures and shimmering hookahs that weave the magic

There are various names for this sophisticated style of smoking. Call it hookah, narghile, hubble-bubble water pipeu00a0-- this old tradition has enthralled many modern hearts.

Today, from Paris to LA, New York to Africa, Iran to India hookah lounges are a rage. Naturally, New Friends Colony can't be far behind. For residents zipping in and around the city in search of hookah, the newly opened restaurant Babelon, promises to be just the right place where you can relax, dig into delicious fare and soak in some fruit-flavoured hookahs.

Owners Manu Seth and Sunny Singh Kanwar decided to venture after they saw the need in the market for a sophisticated place for couples to chill out with the hookah, good food and the right ambience.

Settle for sheeshas
You will have to climb the narrow lift to reach Babelon, which is a double-storey joint with fine dining for the families and basement for sheesha lovers. As we went down the stairs (watch your step as they are a bit risky), we loosened up on the low sitting which was surrounded by candles floating in water. The roshandaan with hookahs placed on it, dim colourful lighting, wooden flooring are contemporary and clean, lending the place a minimal, mesmeric charm.

The city's hookah lovers will find choices at this joint. Apart from staid flavours like green apple, orange, cherry and mint, the joint stocks a few exotic and eccentric options like blueberry and pan masala. We tried the mixed variety hookah: a smooth blend of apple, mint, orange and grapes and liked it. Their liquor license is yet tou00a0 arrive so it's a disappointing on that front if you are looking for something alcoholic to drink.

Go for golgappas
The menu comprised of a multi cuisine fare: Indian, Oriental, Italian, Labanese and Spanish. The menu was extensive and both vegetarians and non-vegetarians will find what they desire. For starters, we opted for a mix of both. The mini potato rolls had a mouth melting mixture of potato and cheese, which will melt in your mouth.
u00a0
The paneer tikka doesn't have that trademark tang; instead, the spices are subtle and fragrant. While the mushroom ufffdclairs were a good option as they were very crunchy. For those with chatpata tastebuds, they have a variety of golgappas on their list -- you can opt for energy golgappas, rum tamarind golgappas, apple gin golgappas, or the vodka coco jal, which is fresh coconut water with mint, lemon and vodka served chilled in tender coconut.

In the non vegetarian version we tried the traditional chicken wings and pathar ke kebab that were served on a hot brick platter with three dips (the papaya dip is a must try here) and were accompanied by roomali roti which were rolled for easy bites. The manager claims that their Brick Stone Grill concept is unique where they serve food on hot bricks. We suggest you wash it down with refreshing guava blast -- guava juice mixed with coriander and Tabasco or passion punch (pineapple juice, with peach flavour, sweet n sour) amongst many others.

The flavour deal
For the main course we ordered tandoori chicken makhani with lacha butter naan -- matching over the top Punjabi style. The Hyderabadi mutton biryani with raita too had juicy pieces of mutton and was a delight. If Indian is something you're tired of, try their Italian. In vegetarian, we picked the fussili with a mix of white and red sauce.

Their dessert list includes frozen chocolate dip fruits bowl, blueberry muffin or the cinnamon rolls amongst others. We wrapped the main course with a big disappointment as most of the names in dessert section weren't available. Hmmm. Time to pull up your socks guys.u00a0

Where: 15, Community Centre, New Friends Colony
Timings: Noon to 11.30 pm
Ring: 46106871
Meal for two: Rs 2,000 + taxes