Niche- Connaught Place
In the last one year, Connaught Place has become a spot for trendiest new bars and eateries. While it has been home to iconic places like Wengers Bakery, Embassy Restaurant and United Coffee House (super overrated and snobby in my opinion), it lacked new offerings that the rest of the city enjoyed. A number of bars with varied themes and cheaper booze format helped pull crowds to the capitals center. It is easily accessible from most areas and has ample parking space after office hours, which is in stark contrast to other hot spots around.
What was lacking was some filtering and finery, in terms of crowd and cuisine. Niche, a newbie yet to throw its doors open to the public, makes up for that. The menu, execution and plating of dishes, cocktails and the interiors are all in sync with the name. What betrays the name is the pricing, and I mean it all in good sense. A spot to splurge and celebrate, Niche has posh spilled all over the place and the meal would not end with a dent on the wallet with its super pricing. In terms of interiors it has aura of Prohibition era bar with leather and wood, green and brown. My choice of a lunch spot would be the center with its glass ceiling, the hiding and seeking sun makes for good entertainment.
I was invited to dine on the Bloggers Table, an event planned to showcase the best of the menu with an exhaustive two page long set menu with wine pairings for every dish. We started off with a signature cocktail- The Dillinger: Dill infused vodka with grapefruit bitters, bay leaf, citrus, cucumber and mustard flowers. Priced at Rs 400++ it was a gorgeous commencement of the brunch. However, all the crushed ice diluted the flavours a bit.
The French Onion Soup Rings, Rs 190++, is my choice of Appetizer for a drink accompaniment. Crunchy onion rings served on a bed of reduced french onion soup gives a simple bar snack a classy and tasty twist.
I am not a huge Salad person, but their Beets and Goat Cheese, Rs 175++ is a must try. With textures of Beets showcased in Roasted Cubes, Ravioli, Meringue, Crisp, Chips version with Foam of Goats Cheese, it is art on a plate not overlooking taste factor in any aspect. I was also introduced to Yellow Beets here for the first time.
Before you get on to the mains, take a bubbly break with their Gourmet Sorbet Bellini. I loved the Pineapple and Thyme sorbet with freshly poured champagne on top at Rs 195++. The Blueberry & Maple photographed beautifully so I’ve attached that picture here instead.
For mains I only got to try Hari Saag: Polentra crust fried yogurt balls, Corn bread, Jaggery Chips and White Butter Soil, Rs 355++. Their modern interpretation of Sarson ka Saad and Makai Roti. The Corn bread is the absolute winner here with its amazing texture, beautiful colour and subtle flavour.
Unfortunately the whole brunch was running a little late so I missed the other mains and desserts, but with their prices and amazing warm hospitality, I’ll be sure to drop by and try it all all out. Their range of signature cocktails at an exorbitant price of Rs 1000++ has caught my fancy and a confessed lover of mixology that I am, I’ll be sure to splurge a little on this section.
