The American–Mexican cuisine and an acoustically-treated venue that brings together original music, performing arts and contemporary cuisine, is the not–so-new Depot 29. Nestling in a small shopping complex in Humayunpur, since August 2014, the foodie joint serves an exciting mix of cosmopolitan café-style foods.
Interestingly, the place is populated by a variety of ‘Bars’. Bars for different kinds of food and named after them like -- Guacamole, Quesadillas, Tacos, Burgers and Waffles. These do not offer quantitative specials, but most of the recipes qualify for a signature specials miscellany. Each bar has a new recipe creating a kind of medley within a certain theme.
The casual chill and grill ambience may give an impression that you’ve had enough of this kind of thing, but not quite as you will discover once you are firmly ensconced inside. Three storeys tall, the cafe offers a delectable platter with food, music and other gigs thrown in. On a Wednesday and Sunday there are gigs, film screenings, talks
or discussions happening in the Ground Floor.
Most of the gigs are original and the bands shortlisted by Depot’s music curator. The ambience ‘rocking’! On the food front, the Rs 610 - Lamb burger with Habanera Sauce and pickled onion is a must have. Most often one would find it hard to appreciate a gourmet burger.
Especially, if you don’t like the smell of blue cheese and parmesan, but Depot 29 seems to have tweaked the tastes in a delightful manner. The burger’s image is imposing with a 4.5 inch patty and height nearly the same.
But looking at the price, size and the image of the burgers one would find it hard not to compare them to the ones in Hard Rock Cafe and Fork You. However, here the flavours are more suited to Indian tastes. The standard accompaniments are french fries or onion rings.
The steaks are a little less than medium rare and not extremely juicy, but if you try the Guacamole Trio by the side you won’t feel that anything is amiss. The Guacamole Trio are three of the avocado-based dips better known to be served with Mexican dishes. The trio comprises the ‘Classic Guacamole’ with cilantro, tomatoes, onions and lime juice; the ‘Pomegranates and toasted pine nuts guacamole’ and not the least the ‘Mango and Basil’. Order this with the Nachos or French Fries to start with, but the trio is large enough to sustain you through all the mains.
The most memorable ones are the Habanera marinated prawns, wrapped in bacon and pan grilled (four pieces in one plate) and the Pulled Pork and refried beans.
The pork in ‘Habanera marinated prawns’ comes as salami strips, smoked, braised and drenched in Habanera and barbecue sauce. The prawns are succulent and plump, filling the mouth with their juicy goodness . Before you know you’d have wolfed down the full thing as one morsel, (wishing you could have saved the last bite just to keep the taste lingering in your mouth). All the dishes are served with salad on the side.
If you are still not done with the Guacamole Trio, the ‘Pulled Pork and refried beans Taco’ with the same would taste heavenly. A few dollops of veggies and different concocted sauces perk up the finely stripped pork strips, cheese grits, wrapped in the corn and wheat tortilla. It is a stellar example of a taco one rarely finds in Delhi.
Snappy and reviving are also their conceptualised beverages like Monicatini, Ginger Fizz and Bompom.
Round off the meal with waffles rather than brownies for dessert. The waffles are simple, without fancy frills and sweet served with your choice of ice cream and chocolate sauce. Go for it!
FAQs
-Meal for two: Rs 2,000
- Location: B-6, Humayunpur, Safdarjung Enclave
- Nearest Metro Station: Green Park
-Timings: 12 noon-1 am