Into the European Dream

Boho and tasteful decor, airy and breathable spaces and warm interiors are what best define Bougie &mdash the newest entrant in Delhi&rsquos upscale culinary scene. Already highly popular amidst the crowds, Priyank Sukhija and the team's outpost has been making noise since its opening. We walked in one very busy Sunday afternoon to experience what it was all about.  

Tasting Notes
Bringing clean, organic and rustic eating to every plate at Bougie is Chef Priyam Chatterjee, the first Indian to be awarded France&rsquos Ordre du Merite Agricole. The menu is largely Mediterranean European, with a selection of an all-day breakfast menu and a lunch and dinner menu. 

Boho and tasteful decor, airy upscale culinary scene. Already highly popular amidst and breathable spaces and warm interiors are what best define Bougie &mdash the newest entrant in Delhi&rsquos the crowds, Priyank Sukhija and the team's outpost has been making noise since its opening. We walked in one very busy Sunday afternoon to experience what it was all about.  

We started with the Courgette Fritas and Jalapeno Aioli and the Le Bougie Fried Chicken Tenders. Both the appetisers came with unique flavours, with a crunchy outer crust and a tender filling, based on a sauce created in-house and stirred the right notes for a fulfilling afternoon. We also opted for a side of truffle fries that came with a generous amount of dressing. 

Next in line was the Veg Love Burger that came with a juicy and crispy shredded beetroot patty, along with an element that one would probably not think of having in a burger &mdash peanuts. And it&rsquos safe to say they did no harm. 

The highlight of the afternoon, however, was the Grande Nonna Margherita pizza. This classic Italian pizza is a delight for lovers of quintessential and evergreen food. The specialty about each dish here is that it comes with organically sourced greens in some form. If you&rsquore looking to try something different give the Bougie signature roast chicken, which has been prepared in-house for three days, and the Tuna Tartar. 

We&rsquod go back for
If there&rsquos one thing that&rsquos pulling us back to the place, it&rsquos the signature cocktails. The craft of mixology here has been well taken care of, with mixes complementing the overall food and aura of the place. The overall vibe of the place is different from the usual fine dining. 

What also stands out is the bohemian decor and the warm play of natural light, combining the elements of earth - reflected in the tree barks, driftwood, rope, and handcrafted wooden furniture fire - depicted in the lava-like patterns of their bar countertops water - best seen in the swirling seashell designs of the bar and the makeshift rafts on the ceiling and air - reflected through the terrace and the cool terrazzo mosaic flooring running throughout the outlet. However, the servers were sometimes confused and there was micro-mismanagement that ultimately led to the service being delayed.

Did you know
Both the menu and the decor at Bougie has been inspired from around the world. The first instance is that of the drapes around the Mughal-era arch windows that have been handwoven by the artisans of Delhi. The next are the pieces of wood that have been upcycled to create unique pieces around the outlet. Additionally, the outpost is also home to African totem poles, Greek wall textures, and south European tribal carpets.

Details
Where 2nd Floor, Ambawatta One, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi
Pocket Pinch Rs2000 for two