Co Authored by Amogh Tiwari
Eat, drink, play. The Hungry Monkey truly lives up to it’s motto. Spread across a sprawling 3 floors in the quite neighbourhood of Safdarjung enclave, this place offers a truly memorable view of the deer park right across the street.
Managing partner Abhishek Patnaik and Head Chef Noah Barnes of Olive bistro fame join us on a culinary journey on a hot delhi afternoon.
There are elements of curiosity spread all over the restaurant starting with the tungsten filament bulbs moving to the dripping wax candles and finishing with small coins, bolts and screw’s hammered into the concrete floor and the huge wooden bar. The bottom floor takes care of your hunger with soft music and some expertly made food by Noah. The floor above quenches your thirst with their barman mixing up a stupendously wide array of smoked cocktails all thanks to the recipes of their mixologist. The terrace above gives the chance to catch up on the beauties of nature. Watch the sun go down, check out the plays of the deer over a smoke with your closest buddies.
The cocktails strike a chord with your palate. The Hickory smoked Manhattan (INR 625) and the smoked Old Fashioned(INR 575) send a shiver down your spine. Built with solid amounts of alcohol, the smooth taste of the expensive whisky along with the perfectly smoked elements will make you coming back for more. The smoke continues to arise from the Manhattan till the last sip and the Hickory cuts across the taste the taste of the Jim Bean while the dash of orange does the same to the Old Fashioned. Their white spirit based cocktails are not far off. The Newton’s Apple(INR 625) is a sweet vodka based concoction while the Fog Light(INR 625) is as much a visual treat as much as it is gustatory. The lavender flavour smoke cascading on top of your drink is a marvel to behold.
The Fog Light
The Old Fashioned
The Prosciutto wrapped goat cheese (INR 525) has a perfect cheewy texture with the slightly tangy goat cheese filled inside. The crispy roquette leaves and the olive oil impart another two textures making this dish one of the better cold dishes I have had in recent times.
We follow that up with a Potted Chicken Liver Pâté(INR 375). Served up on a crispy Melba toast, the earthiness of the liver combined with the slightly sweet onion prune confit plays havoc on your gustatory system.
The Spicy Pork Chorizo Burger (INR 595)is an ode to Noah’s hometown. A soft slider prepared in house filled with pork cooked in an explosive and spicy chorizo sauce topped with some potato chips.The Bomb(INR 575) is a gargantuan burger built on a juicy tenderloin patty, the slight smell of Gorgonzola, a bit of sweetness from the onion jam and a slightly spiced home made Mayo. You eyes will automatically close as your brain slowly understands the meaning of heaven.
The Squid Ink Linguini with Lobster Butter Aglio Olio(INR 695) impresses with the simple down to earth tastes of Italy. The saltiness from the mussel combined with the olive oil just glazing over the simple pasta.
The Expresso Pan Fried Chicken Breast(INR 595) is an eccentric combination. Tender chicken breast served with a coffee sauce and a bacon mash worth ordering bowls of. Go figure.
Too much of the non vegetarian stuff? Chef Noah serves up a roasted beetroot tartare with mascapone cheese combines the sweetness of the beetroot with the slight tanginess of the mascapone.
The Cold Spinach Gomae(INR 325) combines the healthy spinach with the earthy sesame seeds to liven things up.
But his piece de resistance is the 3 in 1 vegetables. Beetroots, sweet potato and zucchini combined in a mind boggling tasty curry.
We end our meal with a white chocolate parfait (INR 475). Soft white sweet chocolate layered on top with a bitter Kehlua and an almond and vanilla filo pastry cigar to dip into the white chocolate and munch your way to glory.
Some real black chocolate?? Try the Soft Centred Chocolate Chili Pudding (INR 295). Break into a gooey pudding with eccentric tastes of chilli and marshmallows inside.
The Hungry Monkey serves one of the best Californian grub in delhi. Combine that with some head spinning cocktails and an ambiance that you will make you go gaga, Abhishek surely has a winner on his hands.
P.S: You got to try their Flying Brunch Menu.
