Dirty Apron, Safdarjung Enclave Market

A quaint and cozy bistro has sprung up on the upper floor of The Piano Man in Safdarjung Enclave and it is called Dirty Apron (Delhi is surely getting better at naming its restaurants). At Dirty Apron, they serve Eurasian food and what better than European with touches of Asian for a bistro menu in a city that has a wide palate?

Dirty Apron is owned and run by Arjun Sagar Gupta, an ardent music lover, while fellow food blogger Ruchira Hoon Phillip is the food consultant. Skeeter was at The Dirty Apron in Safdarjung Enclave the other day for a bloggers’ table over lunch. Located bang opposite Deer Park, the approach to the place is easy with plenty of parking space, unlike the neighbouring madness that is Hauz Khas Village. While The Piano Man has a lovely energetic vibe and a following of its own, Dirty Apron is more of a calm and inviting place (read soothing white walls, hanging planted pots and more), just the kinds you’d want to head to after a hectic week at work or a quick lunch on weekdays. 
We started with a Pumpkin and peanut butter soup made up with roasted pumpkin puree and creamy peanut butter and served with a portion of ultra buttery and garlicky bread. All flavours complemented the other, and the rich, velvetty, decadent, nutty soup is a must try! A Beetroot, orange and feta salad was up next. Crisp greens, beets, tangy orange and creamy feta built this refreshing salad. Another salad followed – The Warm Asian Potato Salad. Perfectly roasted spuds tossed in an Asian dressing with a sprinkle of sesame seeds were lent a suitable kick from fresh red chillies. 
Stuffed Mushroom Nonya Sauce were next. Plump, crispy batter fried mushrooms tossed in Nonya or sweet sticky japanese sauce. Though Skeeter tasted this sauce for the first time, she quite liked what she ate. Mains were Coconut rice with Sambal and Okra served with crispy onions and lime. The ladies finger were tossed in a house-made Malay samabal sauce served with on a bed of coconutty rice – a different preparation of Okra, this. 
A woody and hearty wild mushroom risotto followed. There beer cocktails were appreciated by the table. Must try another time. For dessert we tried the Lemongrass and Kaffir lime scented Creme Brulee – which hit the spot and we had to ask for a second round – that good. 
Some fabulous food aside, they have a terrific terrace seating, perfect for the spring in Delhi right now. Brightly coloured walls and comfortable seating – one could spend hours at such a pretty place.
Where: B 6-7/22, 2nd Floor, Opposite Deer Park, Safdarjung Enclave Market, New Delhi
Phone: 011 33107861

Le Bistro Du Parc: A french bistro sits pretty in Delhi

The French concept of Terroir is embedded in every brick of the kitchen of Le Bistro Du Parc, a quaint bistro that sits pretty overlooking a park in Defence Colony. Skeeter has struck off another ‘to go’ place on her list by dining at this gem of a bistro. In Paris, everyone has their own favourite bistros where they hop in at ease, select from a limited menu, eat, talk, ponder, proceed. Repeat. The menu changes often and the chefs bank on the availability of fresh, seasonal produce. The basics of a bistro are home-style food, simple drinks like wine, tea and coffee and affordable prices. 
At Le Bistro Du Parc Skeets started her meal with the Organic leak and potato soup (Rs 350 ) with a blob goat cheese and few sprigs of dill. It was picture perfect, temperature perfect and tasted well, perfect! As against an Indian dish where a host of spices come together to lift the main ingredient to another level, in French food, you can get a taste of each ingredient individually.

Moving on to Skeeter’s main course and dessert together, she could not decide which of these stole the show for her. The Vegetable Tagliatelle with carrot mash and basil oil was part of a very pleasant surprise, for it was no pasta, but farm fresh, seasonal, organic, vegetables like carrot, yellow and green zucchini, peeled into strips and plated wonderfully to mimic Tagliatelle, cooked/steamed very lightly to leave the texture crunchy enough for one to bite in. The sweet scented basil oil peeped from between the vegetables to reveal itself and lend flavour to the dish.  Skeeter has never had a healthier dish at a restaurant. The portion size and the quality of this Vegetable Tagliatelle with carrot mash and basil justifies the price tag (Rs 500) absolutely. Skeeter will go back for only this one, on and on. That said, Chef Alexis Gielbaum at Le Bistro Du Parc told Skeeter that they change their menu frequently. So one is likely to go back at Le Bistro Du Parc for a fresh menu and more surprises. It is also commendable to note they have compensated vegetarians (for a limited number of dishes in the already small menu) beautifully by creating star dishes such as the one Skeets mentioned.

The Valrhona chocolate rocher (Rs 350) ended Skeeter’s meal, oh-so-lusciously that she can stay off chocolate for the next six months just thinking of this one. Go grab a bite!
Meal for two: Approx Rs. 1800.
Address: A 57, 58, 59, Moolchand Market, Defence Colony, New Delhi