I seldom go to places where WHATEVER I have, tastes good. I mean whatever. From drinks to food, everything is made with so much of thought and care, Cafe G, Crowne Plaza Gurgaon you have actually won my heart.
I was here to taste food from their ongoing Japanese Festival at Cafe G. My host of the day was Indrashis Sinha. Really sweet gentlemen who explained me all the dishes with utmost patience and a sense of humor. Our chef for the day was “Aryanto”, he prefers being called Ryan. All throughout our meal he had a huge smile on his face.
Chef Aryanto aka Ryan at Cafe G
My meal began with Soya Chap mushroom Curry sushi. The sushi was fried and with each layer there was a different flavor. First the crispness of the fried crust, then the softness of the rice mixed with the gooeyness of the sauce and finally the chunckiness of the soya. So much happening in just one bite.
Next were Shimeji Mushrooms. Having these mushrooms for the first time in my life- Oh my! oh my! oh my! These mushrooms were so juicy and were cooked so beautifully. The mushrooms seemed hard at first but when you cut them open, they were so soft and succulent. Perfect combination of two textures! Chef Ryan told me these mushrooms were specially bought with him from his last visit to China and are not easily available in Delhi.
For the mains we were served Vegetable Teppanyaki Noodles and again they tasted really good. For drinks we ordered Whiskey Sour and Dirty Martini. Cafe G knows their cocktails, both were made to an absolute perfection.
We were almost nearing the end of the meal, when Chef Ryan said if we would like to try something else or repeat something. I don’t know why I just said, “Why don’t you surprise us?!” I think those were the best words that could have ever come out of my mouth because after that the food that came out.
So what is an actual fusion food? Fusion food is when you bring out the best of two worlds and make them work together in a dish. Let me tell you one thing, Chef Ryan has MASTERED this art. Not only did these dishes compliment each other beautifully but the thought of using them together, sounds a bit vexing yet they work so well together.
The first dish was paneer tikka sushi. The though of paneer tikka with rice sounds so ordinary but somehow it worked so well together. It was accompanied with drops of mint chutney and spring onions. We had it without soy sauce and wasabi. I could not believe I was going for seconds and thirds. IT WAS THAT GOOD!!!
Paneer tikka sushi
Now the time for the show stopper. So Chef Ryan did not tell me the ingredients of this sushi, he was like “taste it and you tell me the ingredients.” He had that nasty grin on his face, so I knew at once this thing is going to be definitely something special. I put the sushi in my mouth and a very familiar taste was coming in my mouth. I was thinking-“No Astha, you are mad, how could it be what you are thinking.” But let me tell you I was not mad, Chef Ryan is a magician. It was a Dhai Bhalla Papdi Sushi. I stood up and gave the chef a standing ovation. How do you make dhai bhalla papdi work with a sushi? And trust me its one of the best things I have ever eaten in my life. It was made with absolute perfection.
Dahi Bhalla Papdi sushi
For dessert we were served silken tofu cheesecake. Another specialty of Chef Ryan. This dessert tastes exactly like a cheesecake and yet does not have the calories, a cheesecake would contain.
Silken tofu cheesecake
So, if you are visiting Cafe G, make sure you dine with Chef Ryan and don’t forget to use the magical words “Chef Ryan, please surprise me!!”
