A Sandwich Shop By Day, A Watering Hole By Night

When you are drinking out in Delhi, no day resembles the other. From speakeasies dotting every neighbourhood to shapeshifting spaces taking over the capital, Delhi’s cocktail bar scene has seen many renovations this year. The central story now is the rise of shapeshifting venues that transform from coffee shops or cafes during the day into dimly lit cocktail destinations after sunset

I always thought that such concepts often run the risk of confusing the diner about what they aim to deliver. Do I associate you with cocktails, coffee, or both? But when I asked my restaurateur friends about this, most of them said that, rather than confusing diners, they see such spaces as a way to offer everything under one roof and to extract the most from the whopping rents they pay.

Over the past few months, I have been to many such cafes-cum-bars in Delhi and outside, but I was particularly excited when I heard that my favourite sandwich shop in the city, Dumbo Deli, transforms into The Elephant Bar after 7 pm. If you know Dumbo, you know how cosy it is (I won’t call it small). Featuring round tables and polka-dotted sofa benches placed before a counter where servers would be putting together the most delicious gourmet sandwiches, Dumbo is the last place you would imagine as a cocktail bar. But how boring would it be to fit into people’s imaginations? So the founders of the deli also founded The Elephant Bar, a 12-seater (no more than that) cocktail bar that serves nine cocktails alongside their sandwiches (of course).

Sips To Pick (Tried And Tested)

​As a journalist, it is incumbent upon me to clarify my biases before you read my opinions. I have a soft spot for Dumbo, so while many things went wrong (including the absence of sugar syrup from their bar and truffle from their kitchen), I would still say that the Elephant Bar is worth experiencing at least once, if not again. 

Why? Let me explain. 

The Dumbo Espresso Martini should be one of the reasons. While I have tried espresso martinis at many bars in Delhi, I don’t think any have given both vodka and coffee the due they deserve. This one had the right notes of coffee hitting your nose before they hit your palate. What stood out is that the vodka doesn’t take over the coffee. I liked the crunch of the beans in a couple of sips and all in all, it is a drink you must pick from their compact menu without fail. 

Look up. Yes look up.And you will find books hanging from rods. Pluck out the one with a Salvador Dali cover and try to read it (if you are not Malayali). There is a Malayali translation of a book on Salvador Dali. There is another on Frida Kahlo too. And that gives you another reason to visit. 

Next up I tried the Dumbo Grapefruit Margarita. Doesn’t come in a glass but in a glass bottle. So just like you pour as much Coke as you want, out of the can, you can do it with your drink too. It paired vodka with red wine, a combination that has been doing the rounds in quite a few cocktail menus lately. I enjoyed it but found no trace of grapefruit. 

Imagine a cocktail served with a popsicle. My co-diner who was a seasoned food writer told me that he tried it once in Mumbai, but I was a first timer at pairing sparkling wine with a raspberry popsicle. The Dumbo Popsicle Prosecco was my second favourite after the espresso martini. As you lick the popsicle, you will find it delivering the effervescence and fizzy prickle of the sparkling wine too. Overall, great presentation and a cocktail you might start associating The Elephant Bar with. Delicious! 

Finally, a drink that I couldn’t quite crush on was The “Big Crush Cocktail.” A crisp courtship of tequila, dusk-orange aperol, chocolate bitters, and a splash of prosecco. Served with a ball of ice, it was only tequila and faint notes of orange that defined the drink for me. The prosecco did nothing to lift the drink and if you are someone who doesn't prefer their drinks to be very bitter, then this isn’t a pick and definitely not on a day when the bar has run out of sugar syrup. They will offer to add more prosecco and that can save some grace to the drink but overall, I wasn't a fan. 

So, these are your reasons to visit: the espresso martini, the Malayali translation of a book on Salvador Dali, a martini served in a glass bottle allowing you to moderate your quantity, and finally the popsicle in prosecco. 

The Sandwiches 

Now to the sandwiches. One of the biggest draws into both The Elephant Bar and Dumbo. I can still not get over how delicious everything about Amalfi was. Stacked and loaded with rocket leaves, sun-dried tomatoes, lots of pesto and bocconcini, and a parma rosa spread that locked it all in. In sandwiches, half the war is won if the bread is freshly prepared and the sourdough at Dumbo is perfect. 

Bella was my second pick (I actually wanted to go in with Tuscan Truffle but owing to the absence of truffle from the kitchen, that has to be passed on to my next visit). With Burrata foam, lettuce, pistachio crema, and confit tomatoes, this one was saved by the pistachio crema but was still not better than Amalfi. Amalfi for the win, any day. 

You can also pick one of their non-vegetarian sandwiches. I was told that Florence is a ten on ten. For the sides, the Crinkle-Cut Fries are a good choice. 

At The Elephant Bar, things are done simply yet with flavour. You won’t have a 10-pager roster to choose from, but whatever you pick, you are likely to enjoy something, if not everything about it. So if sandwiches are what you are craving with the liveliness of prosecco or the most well crafted espresso martini in town, then The Elephant Bar is your spot. 

Information:

Address: 90, Ground Floor, Mehar Chand Market, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi, Delhi 110003 

Price for two: INR 2,800

Timings:  7pm onwards

Operational Days : Wednesday - Sunday