5 Reasons Why Indian Accent Should Be On Your Bucket List!
Every year, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list highlights the top fine dining restaurants across the globe, and this year’s top ticket has gone to Italy’s Osteria Francescana. Widely considered the Oscars of fine dining, the 2016 awards event took place in New York on June 13. Surprisingly (or perhaps not-so-surprisingly), there’s only one Indian restaurant that has made it to the hallowed list. The honour goes to Indian Accent, run by star chef Manish Mehrotra, which ranks at No. 87 (while the list is called 50 Best, it actually lists 100 highly acclaimed restaurants), making it one of the very best restaurants in the country.
Located inside The Manor in New Delhi, the posh restaurant serves up some seriously contemporary Indian fare that’s got the city’s elite hankering for more. Here’s why we think Indian Accent should make it to your bucket list of restaurants to eat at atleast once in your lifetime.
1. Its Award-Winning Chef Manish Mehrotra
Manish Mehrotra started his career as a trainee with the Taj Group of Hotels and was hired by Old World Hospitality — which operates Indian Accent — to create its trailblazing menu of fusion cooking and contemporary Indian cuisine in 2009. Widely hailed as one of the best chefs in India, his signature style is making international food with a uniquely Indian accent. Right from the Khandvi Ravioli with Khakra Crisp to the Duck Khurchan Cornetto with Golden Garlic Raita and Chilli Chutney, or a dessert of Fresh Tandoori Figs with Desi Daru Reduction and Daulat Ki Chaat, every dish on his menu is intricate, unusual, and beautifully executed.
Earlier this year at the Jaipur Lit Fest, Indian Accent’s wildly innovative menu was released in the form of a cookbook that’s literally flown off the shelves. Now everyone can try out Chef Mehrotra’s delicious delicacies at home. To buy the book for yourself, write to cookbook@indianaccent.com.
2. It’s The Most Expensive Restaurant in Delhi
The prices of the dishes at this highly lauded restaurant are sky high, but it is worth it when you look at the quality of the service and the food that they create. Fancy eating dal for Rs 650? Bear in mind that it will never quite be the regular dal you eat at home or a typical fine dining restaurant. Expect a burst of flavours and ideas that provide serious bang for your buck, every single time.
3. You Have To Make Reservations Way In Advance
This is not the sort of restaurant you call ahead and book a table for a party of 5. If you want to enjoy some of Chef Mehrotra’s delectable offerings, you have to reserve a spot MONTHS in advance. The waiting list is that long!
4. The Menu Promises To Leave Your Tastebuds Tingling
Chef Mehrotra has shown some brilliant culinary skills while creating the menu. The sound of the dishes may leave you wondering but that is exactly what makes this experimental place so genius. Indian food for the 21st century, is what they claim and boy do they deliver on that promise. From the Pulled Pork Phulka Taco, Besan Ladoo Tart, Goat Cheese Khandvi, Roomali Roti Pancakes — there’s nothing that they can’t give a fresh new spin to and leave your tastebuds tingling.
What’s more, the restaurant also has a private Chef’s Table menu, where the Chef de Cuisine himself will treat you to a personalised, eight-course menu that’s as lavish as the regular fare.
5. There’s A Reason Why It Has Won So Many Awards
Apart from making it to The World’s 50 Best Restaurants of 2016 list, Indian Accent has also been awarded The San Pellegrino Best Restaurant in India by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 for the second consecutive year. Once again, it is the only Indian restaurant to make the cut, effortlessly placing India on the global culinary map. It has also been rated as the No. 1 restaurant in India by TripAdvisor for 2014 and 2015, and deemed the Best Modern Indian Restaurant by the Times Food & Nightlife Awards 2013. For his part, Mehrotra has been inducted into the prestigious Order of Escoffier Disciples, and has won American Express’s Best Chef in India award, as well as NDTV’s reality show Foodistan.
In March this year, Indian Accent also opened a New York outpost at the Le Meridian Hotel to give a global audience a taste of its inventive Indian cuisine. No points for guessing that it has bowled over its patrons there too!
Indian Accent, The Manor, 77 Friends Colony (West), New Delhi 110065
