Short Read(For those on the go)
1911 Bar at The Imperial, Janpath is a walk through the emergence of Delhi as the capital of India. With stunning art decor and royal resplendent surroundings, it is a place to sit down over a single malt or their classic Chak De Phatte and some beautiful conversation.
Long Read
A walk down history lane is always memorable. Now most of us had always had an aversion to the subject, thanks to the lacklustre history teachers most of us suffered under. But when you have a woman in your life who is a history graduate, you better start taking it seriously. The Imperial Hotel is a glimpse into the history of Delhi and pre-Independence era. With nearly 4500 artefacts in the hotel, their specialized art tour ending with a brunch is as good as a walk through the museum.
We start off our lesson with a drink and a meal at 1911 Restaurant and Bar. Named after the year that Delhi became the capital of undivided India, 1911 is a throwback to the days of the Raj. With Soft Montana leather chairs, period portraiture, stained glass roof, wood panelling and a horseshoe shaped Bar which is capped off by an inverted boat, the 1911 Bar is a place to wind over an evening of conversation over an aged single malt.
Any review of the barman’s genius starts with a Fresh Lime Soda. The perfect balance of salt, sweet and tart is what gives you an insight into his capabilities. A perfectly balanced Old Fashioned follows along with their signature cocktails, Chak De Phatte. A twist of the classic Long Island Iced Tea, with five white spirits, Sprite and Blue Curascao as mixers. A heady concoction served in a large Rum Ball glass instead of a tall glass.
Let’s get to the food now. A big platter of Bruschetta is a must try out. Crispy in-house baguette drizzled with some olive oil, dressing and Parmesan cheese. The dressings are of four different types including asparagus, artichoke, olive teppenade and onion balsamic coulis. Simple yet crisp Italian flavours which leave a distinct flavour on your palate. Seafood lovers can rejoice with a plateful of crispy fried Calamari. Using panko crumb from Japan means that the perfect golden colour and texture can be achieved with less time for frying thus keeping the squid essentially succulent. There is also a salad and fries along with aioli to complement the flavours. People who prefer Indian flavours with their alcohol, can try out the Kathi Roll. One of the essential things that Chef Alok Verma does is that he keeps the ingredients down to a minimum. With chicken and onion pickled with mustard oil, this Kathi Roll is reminiscent of the streets of Kolkata.
So, next time you’re planning to have a luxurious history lesson along with your drinks, check into the 1911 Bar at The Imperial, Janpath
