Great food, great plating

Delhi’s pluck restaurant is a must visit if you are looking for something interesting. here’s why

Pluck restaurant at Pullman, New Delhi Aerocity, has a pretty decent repertoire of modern Indian and contemporary European dishes. I am here to taste the new dishes introduced by the restaurant. The menu has some exciting dishes, the USP being freshly plucked greens from the in-house 5,000 sq ft garden where house vegetables and herbs are grown.

I am met by Chef Shyam Dhar Rai — the new Chef of Pluck, along with Chef Ajay Anand — Director of Culinary, Pullman & Novotel. Pluck has pleasant European inspired interiors with muted colours, which is beautifully reflected in the first dish they present — an indulgent and delicious Lobster Bisque with Chantilly cream and lobster butter (R1,000). The soup is a sum of various parts, each served separately, and has to be assembled as per personal fancy. I am helped by Shyam, whose suggestions I follow to put my soup together — which is like a party on a plate.

Next arrives the salad course. The Amaranth with turmeric poached apples, feta, pomegranate and yuzu lime dressing (R700) has myriad textures and a fresh taste. The starter course has a somewhat unorthodox pairing which works well. The dish of pan roasted scallops with caramelised cauliflower, pressed crispy rice, honey and truffle dressing (R850) is most enjoyable. Who would have thought cauli and scallops could tango? They do, and do so happily.

After the high of the first three courses, the main course struggles to match the impact. The vegetarian option of five grain, peas and carrot with ricotta filled zucchini, ragi grapefruit salad (R800) is interesting without being scintillating. Dukkah Spiced Chicken with sesame garlic mash, prunes, straw mushroom and pepper jus (R900) is regrettably overcooked and dry. The shining star of the main course options is Spicy Miso Salmon with Wakame gnocchi, tri-colour quinoa, shrimp and nori leather (R1,500) is perfectly cooked and very tasty. The Indian curry leaf Podi dusted braised lamb with barley pulao, masala pan jus (R1,200) is again a fascinating combo with the barley pulao binding the whole dish together.

Desserts are delicious too. Pain Perdu (traditional French toast with caramel ice cream; R600) is comforting, Mont Blanc (chestnut and cream, mushroom meringue; R600) is delicately delicious and Pliable Chocolate with Mandarin Sorbet (R600) is every chocoholic’s fantasy.

Last but not the least, the plating of Chef Shyam and his team is amongst the best I have seen. While it is easy to plate a European course well, the visualisation of the Indian dishes is truly impressive.

So if you want to indulge yourself and do not mind splurging a bit, head to Pluck and pamper your palate.
Ratings (Out of 5)
Food: 4.0 | Ambience: 4.0 | Service: 4.0 | Value: 4.0 | Overall: 4.0
Meal for two: R3000 | Alcohol: Yes | Credit Card: Yes | Wheel chair friendly: Yes
Address: Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, Asset 2, Hospitality District, Aerocity, New Delhi Tel: 011 33105567