Delectable tango of Latin American fare

Delhi has slowly been gaining the reputation of being a foodie’s delight. Amidst the numerous malls and lavish markets that dot the landscape, a medley of food courts is a given. And traversing these plush shopping joints the need to nibble is often a result of the enchanting ambience of a place. At Select Citywalk, it’s no big news for a new restaurant or QSRs (Quick Service Restaurants) to set up shop at regular intervals. But for people who visit the place, during weekends especially, find it hard to find a cosy nook to chill out with family and friends.

The month old fine-dining restaurant Zaga, at the first floor of the MGF Metropolitan Mall in the three-mall multiplex, is your cosy corner. A quiet and serene place under the sky. Colourful tables shaded by large umbrellas are installed to shield from searing sun and rain and delicious Latin-American cuisine, ranging from authentic fare from Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Cuba and more. A place where you can give your tastebuds a well deserved treat!

The music in the background complements the food served, seducing one to eat more and jive. The energy levels get a boost as the soups, again an assorted menu of the various countries and states of Latin-American origin, arrive.

Crillo de Polo is an Argentinean classic. A cream-based soup with fresh tomatoes, cucumber, onion and coriander, straight from Buenos Aires, it is a hit, especially with those who prefer ‘health foods’, for its creamy peppery taste. The Mexican Empanadas served with the typical salsa sauce, are half-moon shaped appetisers, filled with a choice of mixtures of mushrooms, chicken or pork. The coating is heavy and the inside is a spicy and coarse mash of chicken with chopped veggies. Proceeding to the Pizzas which is separate from the main course, the Amalfi pizza is larger than a medium-sized pizza with loads of dried prawns, ricotta, chilli, roma tomatoes with mint leaves. One bite will
work the saliva in your mouth and you will wish for a ‘pizza marathon’. 

In the main course go for the Australian Rack of Lamb and Grilled Mahi Mahi, both served with Peruvian Cilantro rice. The Australian Rack of Lamb is lamb steaks (three) with the choice of sauces like ranchero, rojo, mojo, red chimichurri, mole and orange barbeque! One should go for the red chimichurri, which is a spicy blend. The lamb is ‘well done’, moist and melts in the mouth, living up to its reputation. However, not many may have the taste for the Grilled Mahi Mahi. The Mahi Mahi fish is grilled with a mild mango salsa, and the gravy is sweet and salty with tender mango and veggies chopped in the right size. It will definitely engage you in a foodie debate about the new cuisine you are trying here.

Chef Ajay Mukherjee deserves kudos for the innovative desserts he introduced, all of them are just perfect and make the choice difficult. The best to pick would be the Orange-scented Dulce De Leche Crepes, Churros with Chocolate sauce and the Chocolate Kahlua Mousse. The first one is a crepe filled with a mildly cold crème with small tenderised pieces of orange and mango, which you bite into as the crème melts inside. Churros are a must try at any Latin-American restaurant to judge its authenticity, the perfectly deep fried dish will not make you feel guilty as it is soft and not too sweet.

The Kahlua is a Brazilian drink, mixed with the hard chocolate mousse and served in a funnel glass. It tastes bitter than the usual bitter in other restaurants because of Kahlua. The strong smell that emanates from the mousse will get a thumbs up from those
who have a penchant for sensational desserts.

A meal for two at Zaga, without drinks, will cost less than Rs 2,000. Though located at the far corner of the multiplex, Chef Ajay’s talent will not be hidden from Delhiites for long!