The British Version Of Chicken "Teeka" Masala Gets A New Avatar At Arts Room

Conceptualised by Navneet and Randeep Bajaj—also the founders of Amour Bistro and Town Hall among others—Arts Room is by no means your regular restaurant. It is quite literally a realisation of the couple's love for fresh global flavours and India's burgeoning contemporary art scene, which has led to the idea of a unique dining spot—one where the art displayed influences the menu, with both changing after a limited period. All this is in addition to an extensive selection of contemporary dishes that fuse distinct techniques and global flavours.

The Star Dish

Delhiites love for chicken tikka masala is not lost on any restaurateur—even Arts Room. While the menu here highlights global flavours through and through, Chef Parth Saxena ensured the beloved dish finds its place by turning the British version on its head. The result is teeka masala on toast, which features a thoroughly toasted slice of brioche layered with tomato cream, topped with cubes of roasted chicken, pickled onion and a ring made from crispy pork skin. While the dish looks nothing like the typical fair, one bite with all the elements together lives up to the original. The bread and the pork skin add the right amount of crunch to balance out the richness of the velvety tomato cream, while the pickled onions add freshness to the bite. While it is a good appetiser for non-vegetarians, the dish is not big on meat with just a few cubes of roast chicken sprinkled on top—a few more bits could definitely change the game.

What's More?

While European culinary techniques dominate the menu, chef Saxena and his team have not shied away from pairing flavours from all over the world, and some of them are truly unexpected.

Take for example, the very nice salad, which featured Japanese-origin green, mizuna, and the spicy Indian fermented drink, kanji, as dressing for the quinoa tartare. The kanji, which chef said was brewed in-house during the winter months, add just the perfect touch of spice and acidity to mizuna's subtle peppery flavour and the quinoa. The dish is a great go-to if you want to indulge while being calorie conscious.

Another appetiser that seafood-lovers must order is the yellowtail ceviche. The dish combines fresh hamachi marinated in jeow som (a Laotian sweet and sour sauce) topped with discs of pickled red radish. Tying it together is a pour of rich coconut cream and herb oil. The dish is a great if you're looking for something light to start off your meal.

For mains, we indulged in zucchini hasselback, which was elevated by elements like chilli crisp, lentil miso, crackling spinach and cranberry walnut salsa and "nero," featuring handmade charcoal fettuccini lathered in red curry sauce and served with a fried fish filet marinaded in thetcha. While the various textures worked for the hasselback and would make for a great option for vegetarians, non-vegetarians can skip to ordering the Hot Manhattan pizzetta, which was the right ratio of cheesy, meaty and pillowy. For dessert, we ordered the tiramisu, which was assembled right in front of us and hit all the right notes with the generously used coffee liqueur. Although you can give dessert a miss if you're not big on them, don't say no to truffles oozing with Contreau and Laphroaig served at every table at the end of the meal.

Drinks Menu

The bar takes up one whole wall of the restaurant—that is how serious in-house bar veteran Kamal Kohli was about creating an impressive list of cocktails. But that's not all. Their curation is inspired and even after the world's most renowned paintings, from F.N Souza's Goan Rains to Frida Kahlo's The Two Fridas. I ordered La Guernica, inspired from Pablo Picasso's eponymous masterpiece that depicted the horrors of the Spanish Civil War. To convey the essence of the painting, Kohli took whiskey as the base spirit and paired it with Manam dark chocolate and Mexican chili. For non-drinkers, the menu also features zero proof cocktails as well.

Vibe Check

It is fairly easy to be carried away by a theme, but Arts Room strikes just the perfect balance with its contemporary interiors featuring velvet furnishing, deep colours and golden accents, and curated art pieces that don't overwhelm but intrigue.

During my visit, the space was adorned with watercolour paintings by artist Sucharita Sengupta, who drew inspiration from wildlife and forest, also giving the team ample character to create a tasting menu around. While the indoor is spacious, with enough space between tables allowing an intimate dining experience and high ceilings, there is also an outdoor that is bathed in sunlight during the day making it a great brunch spot.

A portion of the restaurant—right as you enter—also functions as a small patisserie and café, and can be a great spot for a quick evening coffee. If you want to pick up a book and spend longer time, the Arts Room has partnered up with Bahri Sons to bring you a curated selection. Overall, the space is done up to suit almost any occassion—it is perfect for a date, a family lunch or even a solo meal or brunch with your friends. In addition, the staff make you feel instantly comfortable and looked after, and chef Saxena doesn't mind stepping out of the kitchen to personally serve you or enquire if you need anything more.

Regarding accessibility, Eldeco Centre is easy to find and reach, with the Malviya Nagar metro station right in front of it.

Final Verdict

Arts Room, with its easy vibe, a unique theme and global dishes promises a good time during any time of the day. If you're in the neighbourhood and looking for a dining spot that is on the verge of fine-dining but also has a relaxed vibe or are really (and we mean *really* craving a good slice of pizza), drop in.

The Information

Where: Unit Nos- G-11F, G-11R & G-12R, Ground floor, Eldeco Centre, Shivalik, Malviya Nagar,, New Delhi, Delhi 110017

Price for two: