Though the space is limited, the minimalistic layout with the contemporary furnishings definitely makes for a pretty picture. It also gets you wondering how much this pretty picture would cost you. Impressed nonetheless, you make it to the counter and ask for the menu, and that is where the skeptic in you swells again. The menu again has ‘Khan’ roughly cut out with a marker, which yet again gets one comparing the two. The food variety offered is the same as any kebab outlet without many choices, including your usual paneer, chicken and mutton tikkas, rolls and kebabs. The price list doesn’t seem too offensive for the deal though, ranging from Rs. 75-90. They also make an attempt to make their menu more interesting with the inclusion of the Warqi and Mughlai Paratha, and Firni (Rs.30) and Shahi Tukra (Rs.40) for dessert. The biryanis are also complemented with shorba and burhani raita. All this coupled with the ambience does make for good value for money and you don’t mind another visit. So is it as good as the established little big Chowrangee Lane next door? Probably not for the average college kid. But at the end of the day Chacha is not a bad place to splurge your pocket money.

My rating: 3/5

What: QDs…love @first bite!

Where: Momo Street, Kamla Nagar, Delhi 11007

There are many things about college life that one would like to reminisce in his or her ripe old age, and probably one of those precious things that will definitely come to mind would be tandoori momos.

Located bang in the centre of Momo Street, Kamla Nagar, QDs has the warmth of a café, juxtaposed with the uber chic crowd that defines this place. With a relaxed ambience, it sets the tone for a good, well deserved luncheon. QDs is different from the other eateries lining this street; wall paper depicting fine food, popular cult musicians, and eclectic quotes, it makes for an interesting cultural point, in the true University sense. Its small, but we don’t mind.

More importantly, the food. It is delightful, to say the least. The crux of their menu though are the the very famous tandoori momos. Tandoori, as we all know is anything cooked in a tandoor, which gives it the very characteristic and intrinsic flavor. These are the usual momos cooked in a tandoor just before serving. And the result, ah, we like it! There is just something special which the tandoor does to these simple steamed dumplings, and coupled with garlic sauce, they soon fall into that category of irresistible treats. And now, try saying no to that! Impossible isn’t it?

For Rs 60 a plate for the veg tandoori momos, it’s a winner.”Veg” tandoori momos, yeah. This is perhaps every wannabe-carnivore-but-not-quite there personality’s delight. And of course, the chicken momos for a mere 10 extra rupees a plate is a sure fire success too.QDs serves both Chinese and Indian cuisines, but we recommend the former over the latter. And tandoori momos, more than anything else! This is the one and only place where you get them, and infact it seems QDs came up with this unique gastronomic invention following north campus’s infatuation with momos. Only this time it ain’t infatuation anymore, its love at first bite, literally!

Hard Rock Café. I could club the three words into one: “AWESOME”.

I have had the pleasure of visiting HRC Mumbai and Pune and was always impressed by the vastness, décor and sheer class of the phenomenon known as HRC Mumbai. Even Pune managed to impress me with its beautiful location and great style. Amazing drinks, delectable snacks and the best service in the business meant that one did not mind the gaping hole in one’s pocket at the end of the night. However this previously unblemished image of HRC changed Memorabilia and garish RED lighting made it seem more like a discothèque than HRC. Suddenly the drinks at 350-450 a glass come across as exorbitant, my Long Island Iced Tea was I suspect only Benadryll cough syrup mixed with coke, the Mojito tasted Virgin, the Burger –HRC’s Signature dish- was absolutely unpalatable! I like to believe that HRC Mumbai can accommodate the entire Mumbai and still make the band fully visible from every nook and cranny, unlike Delhi where the main section of seating is in a corner from where the stage is not even visible. As for the service- intrusive, irritating, and unaccommodating are probably words that best describe it. Bombay team’s Wasim and Tariq need to impart better training at Delhi. The high point of HRC Delhi was the panels engraved with various Band names in the washroom. All in all HRC Delhi left me disappointed and it ruined the overall impression I had of the brand

I shall attempt to make an express trip to Mumbai HRC in order to make my HRC memories “AWESOME” again.

-Aditi Malhotra

“I think it’s a great place. I like the ambience and the crowd, and the food is decently priced. A must try.”- Shweta Jain

“The music is the best best part. It is the only place where I enjoy jiving!”- Titiksha Fernandes

“It really isn’t what I expected. The music is too loud to have a normal conversation which isn’t true of Hard Rock Café’s abroad”- Mehvash Arslan

This festive season we’ll talk about the not-so-well known Holi delicacies and where they are conveniently available, without the hassles of licenses, if you know what I mean: P

1. Aloo Papads!

To misquote Keats, if Holi comes, can aloo papads be far behind? This is the time our mothers get all too busy with frying potato wafers. They are the standard chips with a desi twist!

Where to find them: your kitchen or your neighbor’s kitchen.

2. Bhang laddoos

Now this is a bit of a tradition in the Hindu college hostel, Holi is never complete without    smearing color on each other’s face; albeit after one has taken a bite of these laddoos.

Where to find them- your friendly neighborhood paan wala

3. Bhang golgappas

Although a new discovery, these are catching up with the young and sprightly, all too soon!

Where to find them- select street vendors

4. Shikanji

Made from squeezing out raw mangoes, this soothing juice is another big hit with one and all. It’s revitalizing and refreshingly good for the system as well.

Where to find it- any juice shop

           Hungry kya? Instead of going for the same pizza or noodles redirect your steps to Chandni Chowk for a completely different gastronomic experience. And remember, you’re treading the same path that the likes of Cyrus Broacha and Sheila Dikshit did !

At a walking distance from the metro station, in a maze of criss-crossing dingy little lanes lies the famous Paranthe vaali gali. But don’t let appearances fool you. The place may not be very scenic, but it has a long list of the quirkiest possible paranthas ever – karele, tomato, lemon and even chilly paranthas!

The delicious scents accost you as soon as you tunnel your way into the gali through the mass of people and honking rickshaws. The seating accommodations consist of a rickety bench and table but the food more than makes up for it. Bite into the delectable kele-ka-parantha to experience culinary bliss. The stuffing of soft juicy banana pieces, raisins and cashews fills your mouth with a sweet tang that stays on even after you’ve devoured the last morsel. That is, unless you choose to wash it down with a brimming glass of creamy lassi.

Prices range from Rs20 to 50 per parantha (including some 3 different types of chutney) and Rs 25 for a tall steel glass of lassi.

The place attracts a huge variety of people. College students, aunties and uncles, kids, foreigners… the list of visitors is just as long and diverse as the menu. The only negative bit about it is the rather lousy ambience. But apart from that, Paranthe vaali gali is certainly worth a visit!

1. St.Stephen’s College

You would be ostracized in true stephanian tradition if you called it a “canteen”, for “cafeteria” is what it is called and so shall it remain till eternity! With a very regal, old coffee house charm to it, the cafeteria offers a fair mix of non-veg and vegetarian dishes.

Must try- scrambled eggs with toast and mince cutlets. Wash it down with a glass of refreshing nimbu paani from the bhaiyya sitting just outside the cafeteria.

Also try the subtle fried rice with chole, it does wonders for people with poor digestive systems!

Verdict-worth a visit, although a little overpriced.

2. Sri Venkateswara College

The open air feel of this canteen is probably the best thing about it. There is quite an array of south Indian fare here, with the assortment of dosas being most popular.

Must try- masala dosa

Verdict-Decent food, though they can improve on the hygiene conditions. They could also do with a little more variety in their north Indian section.

3. Hans Raj College

The variety of food might leave one zapped, but what is even better here is the value for money. One can safely say that one has had his/her fill for a mere Rs 6! A samosa costs just Rs 3 and a cup of tea only Rs 3.

Must try- Chowmein, samosa, fruit juice.

Verdict-The amount of food served is inversely proportional to its price, this canteen is student friendly and has agreeable variety. They need to work on their hygiene and service though.

4. Lady Shri Ram College

The cafeteria as it is known, offers an assortment of snacks as well as meals. This one scores well on hygiene and ambience.

Must try- seekh rumali roll

Verdict- high quality food, with the prices slightly on the upper side.

5. Hindu College

This reminds one of the typical college canteens as seen in the movies, representing organized chaos and energy. It is well lit, spacious and orderly.

Must try- Rajma chawal, chole bhature, ice cream shakes.

Verdict- Value for money stuff. Also, the diversity of food to choose from makes this canteen a definite stop over.

NOODLES
Location: 30 UB, Jawahar Nagar, Kamla Nagar, New Delhi-110007
Landmark: next to Momo King

What do you do when you spontaneously decide to bunk the morning lecture and grab a quick bite to enliven your spirits instead? Grab your chopsticks folks, and head straight to Noodles! Keeping in mind the traditional taste of north campus food, we knew Chinese was a safe bet!

Conveniently tucked in the service lane behind Bungalow Road , Noodles is an upbeat Chinese restaurant specializing in Thai and sea food along with its Chinese cuisine. Inspite of occupying a prime space in the Momo Street of north campus, Noodles is probably one of the lesser-known Chinese outlets. Enter, and you are bombarded with the zesty aroma of noodles and Manchurian , so characteristic of Chinese fare. The jazz music in the background plays its part in arousing the gastronomic senses and Voila! You are ready for a foodie adventure of the Chinese kind!

Noodles’ specialties include crispy dry lamb chilly and braised lamb mushroom, but there’s ample scope for vegetarians too-we suggest you give the vegetable Manchurian and chilly paneer, a shot. They are absolutely mind blowing. The paneer chunks are amazingly tender and oh-so-soft that you are left craving for more. The Manchurian has all the right ingredients in the exact amounts, which give a very authentic Chinese zing to it. The ambience is bright, the atmosphere peppy.

It indeed does wonders for business, attracting a mixed crowd of college students as well as families, looking to satiate their taste buds. The only drawback was that the service turned out to be pretty lousy .They took almost twenty five minutes for a plate of vegetable fried wontons, which were certainly not worth the wait . But that’s where it ends.

All in all a total value for money eatery: A meal for two would comfortably come under Rs.150 or less. If its brunch or some lazy in-betweens you are looking for, Noodles is definitely the place to be as snacks for three can be easily accommodated within Rs.175.

Go indulge the glutton in you!