Intro

The business of selling food is one that is perhaps one that will always profit - that we can be sure of, and given the flooding of our newspaper and magazine stands and media frenzy around us, we can also be sure of the fact that virtually anything will get coverage.

So why am I writing about restaurants and why now? Apart from the fact that I am a self-confessed foodie and a great cook if I may say so myself, in fact just a trip to the butcher’s or grocery store is a treat in itself for me, I have realized a few major developments in and around myself. I feel compelled to share my observations about the establishments that pride in serving a cooked meal to their customers, who apart from those who have no other choice, are spending a great deal of time and money for.

One of the major changes I have noticed in the past couple of years in Delhi or should I say NCR is that there is a much wider choice available for diners than Pandara road, as well as the fact that customers are willing to pay very well for a dinner. In fact, a 2000 rupee plate of sushi or a 10000 rupee bottle of wine is easily sold here, rather you would have people falling over themselves for a 5000 rupee plate buffet at the latest restaurant. So, what is the change one may ask? Haven’t there always been restaurants and great chefs and hasn’t it always been both about the art and the commerce of gastronomy? So, why is India stating to import barrels of the world’s average or less than average wines at over a 100% duty and busy consuming it? It is because, dining out is never so much about the food or the place, it is about entertainment and it is that you pay a price for. When you get good table service to go with that you feel you got box seats to the event. So freedom of expression aside, I decided to start sharing my observations that I feel needed to be heard.

I have travelled well, from the west coast of North America to the east coast of Australia, and eaten well. In my articles I will be commenting and sharing my observations about my personal experience of dining at such restaurants. Of course the three most important aspects of eating out, or even a take away - the food, the quality of service, the ambience and then the WOW factor which may be one of the fore-mentioned or something completely different. I have only two biases – I greatly favour consistency and hinder discrimination. No disrespect to the vegetarians or vegans, but I feel pure vegetarian restaurants are discriminating against us carnivores. So apologies in advance to Sagar Ratna and Rajdhani that, despite their busy and bustling outlets, just had their final mention in my articles.
I look forward to keep trying out more and more restaurants and writing about it to each of my readers and your valuable feedback about my articles in the coming weeks. Bon Appétit!