A place becomes special in your heart when you have beautiful memories attached to it. Regular readers of this travel & food blog would know that Lodi – The Garden Restaurant is one of my favourites. I have written its review earlier and have also called it one of the most romantic restaurants in Delhi.
A couple engrossed in conversations, a foreigner enjoying his beer, some people engaged in casual corporate discussions — that’s the usual crowd I see at the restaurant on a weekday afternoon. It is perfect for all occasions. Weekend evenings are more eventful with a stand-up comedy show or some event in the background. Winter evenings is when the magic quotient of the place comes to life.
While winter is far away, the restaurant has been celebrating monsoons. I am here on a day when the weather is having a major mood swing; it can’t decide whether to be slightly pleasant or utterly humid. Mostly muggy, it is one of those (rare) days when you feel like having light/healthy food. That’s not at all a problem at Lodi since it has myriads of wholesome options to choose from.
On my most recent visit to the restaurant, I got a taste of the mango special menu and some of the new items added to the menu. Here’s a review of the dishes I savoured at Lodi:
Mango Virgin Mojito seemed to be just what the doctor ordered on that humid afternoon: light and refreshing.
Yellow Lentil Soup: A new addition to the menu, this Mediterranean delicacy is a rare find. Flavoursome, healthy, it comes with fried ginger garnishing. What’s delightful were the accompanying toasts — bread loaf cut into half with sides cut out. Homemade flavour to the core! Perfect for the weather. (Rs 365)
Homemade flavour: Bead Toasts with a healthy soup
Sea Shell Pasta: I like shrimps. I like pasta. What’s there not to like when both are combined! Plus, the goodness of homemade mustard mayo and a little crunchiness with fresh cucumber. I found it quite delicious. (Rs 495)
Greek Style Salad: Now, this came as a recommendation and I agreed since healthy meal was on the agenda. I am rarely surprised by salads and hence avoid ordering them. This time was no different. With a whole lot of veggies in it, it is surely a healthy option but no wonderful surprises here. (Rs 395)
Pan Fried Tofu: It’s difficult for an ardent paneer (cottage cheese) fan to like tofu. Making an exception, I thought of giving tofu a chance since we’re talking health. The flavour of peanut butter sauce did the trick. It’s an enjoyable dish with crispy veggies on the side. (Rs 665)
Wholesome and toothsome!
Grilled Chicken with Mango chutney: A part of the Mango Fiesta menu, this was my favourite dish of the day. Succulent chicken with spicy unripe mango sauce, it was a delicacy. Since it was a part of the special menu, you may not get the chutney otherwise but do try the grilled chicken.
Grilled chicken with spicy mango chutney
Rosemary Thyme Quinoa: Okay, I disliked it when I had quinoa (pronounced keen-waah) for the first time at Sanskriti Vedic Retreat in Rishikesh. I did not try it last time my mother ordered it here in Lodi. But since it was a day of many firsts (tofu, salad etc), I had to give it a try. A superfood, it is loaded with protein and fiber. Can’t get healthier! It is crunchy as well as fluffy. Tastes great with veggies. (Rs 295)
Quinoa is a good replacement for rice
Not so healthy but delicious desserts!: The reward of eating a healthy meal should be sweet, literally! Sure, it defeats the purpose if you’re watching weight but a little indulgence never hurts. Homemade fig ice cream is a favourite. This time I tried Almond Bread Pudding with warm toffee sauce and fig ice cream (Rs 395). Need I elaborate? The name tells you how delicious it is. Triple layer Mango & chocolate souffle (Rs 395) and eggless chocolate truffle (Rs 365) were equally toothsome. Read more
