The latest outlet’s peculiarly fun interiors will draw you in, while the European inspired menu will make you stay. Smoke House Deli in Gurugram is a well-crafted gastronomical experience you just can’t miss!
Image: Courtesy Smoke House Deli.
We are always on the lookout for next-door delicatessens serving up comfort food in a cool, casual ambience. And now that the latest outpost of Smoke House Deli has found pride of place at Gurugram’s new tailored work and entertainment complex, M3M International Financial Center, we’re all for it.
Extremely hospitable staff and an artfully imaginative menu comprising wholesome food and crafted cocktails have together been working well for the Impresario Handmade Restaurants’ iconic brand for over a decade now. Aligned with Smoke House Deli’s signature design ethos, the décor at the Gurugram outlet combines floor-to-ceiling glass windows, towering arches, hand-drawn illustrations on calming white walls, checked upholstered seating, and lots of indoor greens. Bang in the middle of it all is the swanky bar adding a wonderful shot of whimsy to the room.
“Apart from our commitment to use local fresh produce, we also keep an eye out for new local ingredients and new techniques. Our provenance team constantly endeavours to get better ingredients and produce,” said Shamsul Wahid, Group Executive Chef, Impresario Handmade Restaurants, on Smoke House Deli’s ever-evolving menu.
Gurugram’s Smoke House Deli and its tryst with taste
We popped in for a leisurely brunch on a lazy Wednesday, and the place seemed to be already coming to grips with the art of serving a packed house. The warm staff knew the elaborate menu, which is always a sign of a promised good time.
To kickstart our organic, wholesome epicurean journey at the deli, we first sampled Smoked Chicken Salad that came topped with citrus caper berries, orange carpels, and lots of greens. The orange vodka emulsion added the perfect amount of tanginess to the salad’s delicious smoky flavours.
The Spit Roasted Corn, Avocado, and Baby Spinach Salad is a great alternative for the herbivorous clan, as it is made well with the deliciousness of kalamata olives, red onions, cherry tomatoes, grilled zucchinis, feta crumble, and a minty dressing. Summery and filling, just how we like it!
For appetizers, blindly opt for Lemongrass Pesto Chicken Skewers — the chicken arrives perfectly grilled and the pesto dressing is as fresh as it gets. Leave enough room for the Grilled Corn and Quinoa Cakes, which are crispy, thinly crusted patties of sweet potatoes served with mildly spiced, smoked mayo dip. Although these come under the ‘small plates’ section, the portions are quite generous.
To wash it all down, the bartender whisked up a zingy number of Classic G&T with Beefeater gin, elderflower, and refreshing cucumber water. Adorably Old Fashioned was a bit too bitter for our taste, but you’ll enjoy each sip if you are into sharp and strong drinks with lingering flavours. Do try their Mulled Wine, which is perfectly infused with spices and comes off as a warm hug on nippy winter evenings.
Moving swiftly on to the main course, we found that the Chili Lemon Basa was the ultimate comfort food. The spicy fillet is covered in Japanese-style panko crumbs and then grilled to perfection, with a lemon-orange dressing atop, and served hot on a bed of mildly-flavoured risotto and grilled vegetables. Keep in mind that one serving is enough to serve and satisfy the hunger pangs of two! We finished with a flavourful slice of Classic Philadelphia Cheesecake with delicious blueberry compote. Bliss!
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Max: 5 stars)
Food: 4/5 | Drinks: 3.5/5 | Service: 4/5 | Interiors: 4.5/5 | Vibe: 4/5
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