If you&rsquore a regular purveyor of the food scene in Delhi-NCR, you might be hard-pressed to find a place that is both calm and creative. Houz Cafe Bar, smack in the middle of the bustling world of Gurugram, is a little oasis of peace which will make you want to spend an evening in world-tipple and lazy conversations. On offer is a great selection of dishes that draw inspiration from Pan Asian, Persian, Continental and European cuisines.
Spread across two floors, Houz&rsquos tasteful interiors add to the experience, with full length glass walls that allow plenty of sunlight to filter in when we sit down for lunch. One can&rsquot help but notice a beautiful bar that lights up under the installation of lights suspended from a ceiling garden, and nature enters the space from all corners in the form of quirky potted plants and earthy tones across the floor.
We started with the Lemon Moroccan Chicken Salad, which more than did right by us. The Moroccan spices sang on our palate, and the addition of almonds in a mix of broccoli, cucumber and bell peppers made it no ordinary combination. Chef Bishwajit Halder whips up delights, many of which are completely untouched in their origin, while some express a modern interpretation that has come to represent the cafe.
Next, we dived into Greek cuisine, of which I haven&rsquot always been a fan but the Tiropita, with its flaky and crunchy exterior wrapping its spinach filling, served with a side of homemade hummus and cilantro pesto, more than lived up to its name. The chipotle pasta and Korean chicken strips were also delectable, but what subtly stole the limelight was Italian cheese and jalapeno croquette, oozing flavours which combined seamlessly with the blueberry dip on the side.
A delicious beverage section on the menu will also cheer you up, as it did us, when Rajbir, the in-house mixologist churned out his signature cocktail &mdash Orchard&rsquos Bramble, made with gin and a refreshing combination of passionfruit, pineapple and kaffir lime. But for those who like to keep their spirits straight, mocktails are aplenty as well.
The Information
Where 128,106 Tower-4, Worldmark, Sector 65, Gurugram
Timings 12 noon - 11pm
Meal for two Rs 1,500
Call them 91 7042 881 883