New Restaurants that I loved this year (and ones I had never been to)

SoBo20 (Mumbai) was the opening of the year for me. Elevated Creole cuisine feels fresh and new for India but it still hits the spot in terms of comfort and familiarity.

Amar Khamar (Kolkata) was the most soulful new place I’ve been to. This is an evolutionary leap for Bengali food, more rooted in rural Bengal than the likes of Oh Calcutta and 6 Ballygunge.

Or maybe the most soulful new place was Ikk Panjab (Delhi and Chandigarh). It was definitely the best Punjabi meal of my life and (like Amar Khamar with Bengali food), it feels like an evolutionary leap forward for Punjabi food.

Pendulo (Delhi) has the potential to be great. Reminds me of early Inja. Mexican food influenced by Indian produce and techniques is a real thing.

JSan (Goa). It’s not boasting if you can walk the talk. Vishesh Jawarani said he would make the best ramen in India and he’s definitely in the conversation.

Mesa by Lodhi. I love brave young chefs following their passion and Sandeep Namboodiry has incredible talent, creativity and conviction.

Espressos Any Day (Gurgaon) has the best food of any cafe in India. The fried chicken Sando is a sensation.

I know Olive, Delhi has been around a while, but Dhruv Oberoi is a superstar. Super clean, highly technical, creative (without being pretentious) food.

Telugu Medium (Hyderabad) is my comfort food. Maybe I was Telugu in another life because that dal pappu is just a whole other level of love.

Bad Boy Pizza (Mumbai). I know I’m an investor. But this is the most innovative pizza offering in decades. And it’s bloody tasty!

Ottimo, ITC Grand Chola, Chennai. This is the best Italian food you can get in India along with Americano.

Other places I really liked and recommend:

Kaméi, Delhi. This feels like a sexier version of Yautcha or Koko.
Latoya, Delhi. Solid food. Even better service.
Terai, Hyderabad. Proof that Hyderbad is evolving beyond comfort classics.
Yan yan, Bangalore. Best new Chinese restaurant in the city in a decade.
New Chinese menu at Wabi Sabi, Banglore. It’s not a Chinese restaurant. But the most original Chinese menu I’ve seen in India since China House. If it wasn’t just a part of the restaurant’s menu, it would be in the tiger above.
Indian Durbar, Bangalore. Actual Punjabi food in Bangalore.
Zuru Zuru, Delhi. That cold litchi ramen is just perfect for Delhi summers.
Una Hacienda, Bangalore. A lovely space with very good food and drinks.
Japonico, Gurgaon. Proper high end Japanese food.

Where I want to eat, but haven’t yet:

What I’m most excited about in the new year:

Manish Mehrotra’s new place in Sunder Nursery
I hear Prateek Sadhu and Akshay Tripathi have something super exciting coming up!

Ps: I don’t know if I can classify the new Le Cirque at Leela Chanakyapuri as a new restaurant but it’s pretty damn spectacular!

Blah"sphemy"