The most expensive meal ticket in town

 |  January 13, 2009
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This is fine dining at its best. Delhi’s rich and famous are making money like never before and dropping several thousand rupees on a single meal.

Well-travelled and discerning, diners are opting for foreign favourites—sushi to caviar—with a slew of high-end restaurants pulling out all the stops for them.

For the last few years, Forbes magazine has been listing up the most expensive restaurants. Five of the top 10 in India are from Delhi.

While far behind the most luxe in the world—the Aragawa in Tokyo charges Rs 16,000 for a steak—they are comparable to other international restaurants.

If the Kobe mignon costs Rs 7,500 at the Orient Express, diners cough up 30 per cent less for a similar dish at New York’s chic Tao and Rs 8,000 for pigeon with foie gras at London’s Gordon Ramsay.

One important footnote: if you fancy a flutter on the food front, the wallet wallop is well worth the experience.

ORIENT EXPRESS, TAJ PALACE

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This 25-year-old restaurant is modelled on the train that travelled through Europe.

A near replica, it recreates a world that perhaps even Europe has forgotten—regulars have monogrammed napkins; women diners are handed pashmina shawls to keep warm while men are offered spectacles to read the menu.

For the shamelessly rich, there is Beluga caviar at Rs 9,500 for 30g and Kobe steak (flown in from Japan) for Rs 7,500.

Must Try: Escalope of duck foie gras

Ring: 26110202

DUM PUKHT, ITC MAURYA SHERATON

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Dum Pukht serves centuries-old Awadhi cuisine, steamed to retain flavours. The prize dishes are the Jhinga Dum Nisha and Raane-Dumpukht (both Rs 1,900).

The Chateau Petrus Grand Vin de Pomerol 1996 is an eye-popping Rs 99,000 and 30 ml of The Lady Burn whisky costs Rs 4,500.

Must Try: Dudiya Kabab, Murgh Chandi Tikka and Guchhi pulao

Ring: 2611 2233.

TRAVERTINO, THE OBEROI

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The sleek and modern decor is suitably low-key for the suave set. Ingredients are mostly sourced from Italy.

If you feel generous, order the grilled tenderloin or pan-seared seabass (both Rs 1,975). Wash it down with Sori’s Lorenzo langhe at Rs 25,000.

Dip some crusty Italian bread in the extra virgin olive oil on vinegar, and come out smiling.

Must Try: Calamarte with lobster

Ring: 2436 3030



SAKURA, THE METROPOLITAN

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Discreet and understated, India’s first Japanese eatery, Sakura, is a real high-street classic.

And that’s well reflected in its Kaiseki cuisine— traditional seven-to-nine course Japanese meal—prepared by celebrated chef, Nariyoshi Nakamura, with dry fish and meat flown in from Japan.

The Wagyu Steak costs Rs 4,500 and the Sushi Moriawase Rs 1,900. Sip on Kikumasamune Taru sake for Rs 1,650 to wash down your fears about the bill.

Must Try: Nigiri Sushi Kaiseki and Unajyu

Ring: 42500200



SAN GIMIGNANO, THE IMPERIAL

Inspired by the medieval town of San Gimignano in Tuscany, the eatery keeps its authenticity by importing balsamic vinegar, cheese, pasta and olive oil.

Must Try: The restaurant is known for its Italian wines, especially the Vernaccia de San Gimignano.

Ring: 23341234.

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