restaurant Archives - FashionForRoyals

Must-Visit Restaurants in Delhi

Delhi has amazing restaurants to make your dates perfect. Here are some must-visit restaurants in Delhi to make the date with bae memorable.

A date night is a way to strengthen your bond with your partner. It needs to be special and the best night of the week. Be it your first date or the fifth, you’ll always remember and cherish those lovely moments. Whether an evening in CP or mornings at Lodhi Gardens, Delhi is best for everything. It is the heart and the soul for the people who reside here. It has some amazing restaurants to make your dates perfect. Let’s get inside and see some of the must-visit restaurants in Delhi where you can go with your bae and spend an amazing night. Find more restaurant reviews here.

Olive Bar and Kitchen

Olive Bar and Kitchen is a Mediterranean restaurant and a good choice to spend some quality time. The all-white ambience with a Banyan tree in between is so significant and appealing, that one is intrigued to visit this place at least once. With extraordinary outdoors and beautiful indoor setting, this is a soothing and calming place to be with your partner. The eclectic music and amazing food makes the experience worthwhile and memorable.

Location – Mehrauli

The Sky High Restaurant

Looking for a good rooftop place for romantic date night? Then, Sky High is the place for you. A perfect place to take your partner on a date. A beautiful rooftop restaurant with delectable food and drinks located in South Delhi. The serene open surroundings and soulful live music make for an ideal date night setting. Their extensive range of multi-cuisines and drinks will leave you spoilt for choice. The ambience is the main attraction of this place and that’s what makes it so popular for a date.

Location – Ansal Plaza Mall, Hudco Place

Diablo

A classy, romantic and luxurious place to make your date night a night to remember. Both outdoor & indoor settings of Diablo are equally fabulous and the lush greenery around the place acts as a cherry on the cake. Everything at this place, from the furniture to cutlery is very tastefully selected and blends perfectly with its theme. The scrumptious food combined with slow music takes things to a whole new level.

Location – Mehrauli

Jamun

Jamun is a cosy, little restaurant named after the fruit Java Plum. The touch of mauve & purple in the ambience not only justifies the name, but also makes it lively and vibrant. It is a very warm & welcoming place and has a vintage vibe to it. Famous for its delicious regional Indian food, it is ideal for a date, family dinner or a get together with friends. The pretty decor & yummy food of this place makes a romantic date even more special.

Location – Lodhi Colony

Qla

Qla is a contemporary European restaurant that feels like a dream. The ambience of this restaurant is so relaxing and calming, which makes it perfect for a romantic date with bae. Minimal decor, trees, perfect lighting and open space gives it an exquisite touch. They have a wide variety of European & fusion dishes and are known for their interesting cocktails. The best thing about Qla is that you can enjoy a beautiful view of Qutub Minar from their rooftop area.

Location – Mehrauli

So, these are some restaurants in Delhi that you can checkout for your next date.

A Brilliant Breakfast Brunch at The Ivy, Birmingham

The Ivy, Birmingham opened its doors to food fanatics in April 2018 and has been delighting diners with its delicious fare ever since. Elegant, enticing, and exciting, the Ivy promises you a memorable dining experience, and in my opinion, it delivers far more than is expected.

I had been wanting to visit The Ivy Birmingham for a while, when last month, I was finally able to make it to Temple Row in the City Center where it’s located. We’d heard great reviews about the place and were looking forward to our first brunch meal here.

When we entered the restaurant, our first impression was of plush sophistication. Hues of orange and green are dominant in the décor, with beautiful Art Deco glass, muted lights, and interesting artwork adorning the walls. The 3-floors of The Ivy Birmingham are as much a tribute to great artistry as they are to gastronomy. Simply sitting in the pleasant ambiance was very invigorating; the sumptuous food, a big, big bonus.

We started our meal with a coffee since that’s the elixir that gets me up and going every day. My cappuccino was rich and satisfying, with the Ivy logo floating on the froth. We then moved on to the interesting offerings of the brunch menu which are served till 11.30 am Mon-Fri, and till 11 am on the weekend.

Here’s what we ordered: two juices, Beet It and Green Juice, one portion of Avocado, tomato, and sesame, which comes with poached hen’s eggs on toasted granary with sesame dressing and also the breakfast classic Eggs Benedict.

Beet It was a flavorsome concoction of beetroot, apple, lemon & ginger, while Green Juice had avocado, mint, celery, spinach, apple, and parsley. The juices were super-healthy and very refreshing, and if I’d had any more space left, I would’ve tried a few more juices from their enticing selection of fresh beverages.

The Avocado preparation had chopped avocado topped with roast plum tomatoes, a poached hen’s eggs and sesame dressing. The combination was complimentary and the preparation light, which made it a perfect brunch dish.

The Eggs Benedict came with pulled honey roast ham on toasted English muffins, two poached hen’s eggs with hollandaise sauce, and some watercress. I love this preparation since the eggs were cooked to perfection and the hollandaise sauce was flavoured just right.

To sum up the experience, I’d say it was fabulous beyond words. The selection of food at The Ivy Birmingham is a flawless balance of British classics and world cuisine. The ambiance and décor are spectacular, to say the least. The open, wide-spaced seating makes it a great place to host parties or enjoy a night out with friends or family. The staff is courteous and well-informed of the menu’s specifics. All these positives make me want to visit again, sometime soon.

I’ll probably head to The Ivy Birmingham again for another brunch with friends, or maybe even on date night!

Visit Indico Street Kitchen for their Vibrant Decor & Great Indian Food

I’ve been living in England for many years now, and I am always on the lookout for good Indian restaurants. This is because what I miss most about India is the wide array of delicious foods you can find in every nook and corner there. If you, too, are searching for a restaurant that, one, serves Indian cuisine and two, does a brilliant job of it, do visit the Indico Street Kitchen in Solihull.
I’ve eaten here many times and can’t seem to stop myself from coming back again and again. The preparations are lovely, the ambience fantastic, and this is all that is required to keep me hooked!

The first thing you notice when you enter Indico Street Kitchen is it’s vibrant décor and Bollywood music. The walls are lined with traditional artwork and India movie motifs which make for a quirky, fascinating ambience. Each table and seating area is unique and on less crowded days, you can pick and choose the corner that makes for the best pictures and selfies.

I personally love the colourful umbrellas hanging from the ceiling – they add to the eclectic charm of the décor.

One section has café-style seats as well, in case you prefer to be in more familiar surroundings though. For me, the combination of bright colours, Indian pop songs, and an extremely welcoming staff is very nostalgic. I’m instantly reminded of my home in India, and this fond reminiscence that Indico invokes is truly special.

As far as the food goes, you can expect it to be an aromatic, flavourful, and decadent as preparations from the streets of India are. The menu comprises of various kinds of street foods, tandoor items, and of course, rich curries. As someone who has eaten and enjoyed such food on an almost daily basis for most of my life, it takes just one bite to determine if a dish does justice to the Indian tag.

And Indico is one of the few places where no dish has disappointed me yet! On my last visit, I had a long three-course meal and it was just about perfect. I ordered a Mango Martini with Popadom and Chutney to munch on. For starters, we had Gol Gappa Bombs and Punjabi Samosa Chaat – both dishes were innovative re-workings of traditional Indian snack foods. For the main course, we picked Indian party specials – Dal Makhani and Paneer Makhanwala – with hot, crispy tandoori rotis. The curries were deliciously rich and the crunch from the roti, the perfect combination.

The meal concluded with two popular Indian desserts – Gulab Jamun and Ras Malai – they were every bit as delectable as I wished them to be.

All in all, to me, eating at Indico Street Kitchen is always a pleasant experience. They have different themes they follow on some days and my favourite is the Curry Night hosted on all Mondays. Here you get a free drink or 2+1 on cocktails with every curry. Often there are other promotions going on instead which make the dining experience a little bit less heavy on the pocket.

All this together makes Indico Street Kitchen one of the top places to eat Indian food in all of UK. If you haven’t been here yet, make sure to head to Indico soon; your effort will not be wasted for sure!

Harvey Nichols and Mailbox Experience in Birmingham

The next you find yourself in Birmingham, I highly recommend that you visit The Mailbox. To call the Mailbox a ‘shopping centre’ or a ‘neighbourhood mall’ is an absolute understatement. The Mailbox is a destination in its own right, combining world-class lifestyle, shopping, hospitality, culinary and entertainment experiences under one roof. Not only does it offer something that everyone can look forward to; it is also situated by the canals of the city centre – a fantastic location which is bustling with activity and energy in the evening. Other shopping and business districts such as Grand Central, New Street, High Street, Corporation Street and Brindleyplace are all close-by, less than a ten-minute walk away, so you can really make a day out of it.

The entire experience is made even more seamless by The Mailbox application for mobile phones, which enables users to gain access to exclusive discounts, restaurant reservations and pre-orders. Better yet, the more that you engage with the application, the more personalised your experience at The Mailbox becomes. What more does a girl need?

One of my favourite stores at The Mailbox is undoubtedly Harvey Nichols, which feels like a destination within a destination. In true Harvey Nichols style, the store at The Mailbox offers a luxury shopping experience that is difficult to replicate. Not only does it showcase some of the best brands in fashion, beauty, food and wine (some of which are exclusive to this particular store); it also amps up the retail experience with thoughtful touches across the space, such as the beauty rooms where one can take a break and indulge in a relaxing treatment, and the expert Style Concierge team who can help you find and style some of the season’s hottest trends in fashion and beauty.

If you’re a foodie, you should definitely make time to explore the wonders that you can find at the Harvey Nichols Food Market, which houses a specially-selected collection of fine foods. Stock up on everything from delectable chocolates for the holiday season to healthy treats for January, and from difficult-to-find ingredients to wines from across the world. It is truly an adventure!

And when you get tired of the shopping and the munchies kick in, you can take a seat at the in-store restaurant and treat yourself to some delicious food from a menu that has been specially curated by the Michel-star chef Glynn Purnell. The first thing that stands out about the restaurant is the atmosphere – it feels premium yet homely and upscale yet approachable, with modern décor and a cosy feel that is difficult to achieve in such a high-end, stylish setting. And of course, the food is absolutely on point as well, featuring fresh ingredients (many of which are sourced locally) that give rise to exquisitely fresh flavours. Whether you want to stop by for an afternoon tea with some scones, or have a full-fledged meal with close friends or family, the restaurant is the cherry on top when it comes to the Harvey Nichols at The Mailbox experience – you don’t want to miss out on this!

Mykonos Food Scene – Restaurant Recommendations

If you are planning to travel to Mykonos then look no further as this post will help you with some of the best and unique restaurants in Mykonos on your travels.

Food has and would always be a major deciding factor while zeroing down on a travel destination. For many of us, there is no better way to experience a place than exploring various places to eat. While I cannot stop gushing about the quirky places to eat, there were a couple of them that stood out and are must try:

Kuzina: The beach facing restaurant in the Mykonos Ammos hotel is not only known for the beautiful Aegean Sea views but lip smacking food, especially the sushi (the sushi chef is a master at making yummy sushi). The ambiance is perfect for a romantic dinner date complete with Greek soft music, drinks, and friendly staff. If you are staying at the Ammos hotel, you can even go ahead and try their big breakfast spreads and lunch menus.

Sic, coffee bar: This brand-new coffee shop is located at the heart of the island called the town square. The café located amidst the white washed architecture is perfect to stop for a caffeine shot and small nibbles. The café, being newly constructed is a refreshing welcome for all of us wanting to take a break from walking around the town.

Sunset Bar: Always dreamt of sitting back with a glass of a cool cocktail and watching the sun go down in the horizon? Well, it need not be a dream anymore, because the Sunset bar, located in little Venice is perfect to sit back, relax with a refreshing drink and watch the sunset. You can also get a great view of the town itself, so all in all a great place to chill and unwind after a hard day. Just make sure, you get there in time to watch the sun set.

Veranda Bar: Again, a lovely bar in Little Venice, perfectly situated to watch the sunset and windmills. It is best to take the water edge seats to have good views of the windmill and sunset. Not to mention, their refreshing range of cocktails especially ‘the third windmill’ is a must try. If in doubt about the choice of cocktails, simply ask one of their friendly staff members to help you out.

Vinos: A cozy little place located in the heart of the Mykonos town is a great outdoor place to unwind for a drink and yummy food. They have an extensive selection of Greek wines that pair up wonderfully well with the freshly prepared foods like salads, cheese, and curated meats. If you are too confused about the wines, simply ask one of the ever so friendly staff members for a recommendation. So, sit back and have a guaranteed lovely evening.

D’Angelo Mykonos: There is always an Italian restaurant gem in every city and Mykonos is not an exception. The Italian style bistro is situated en route to the Windmills and is a pleasant outdoor restaurant. They have a wide range of authentic pizzas and pasta, with a wide array of options to satisfy even a vegetarian like me. The wine and food are clear winners here. This is one place we would not mind returning to.

While the list of places to eat are never ending and we need multiple trips to Mykonos to cover them all, but overall the island has surprised us with multiple options to choose from, thereby satisfying every mood and palate. But most importantly the ambience, pretty views, and friendliness of the staff added a cherry to the cake.

Pirlo’s Desert Lounge, Birmingham Review

We all love sweet endings and even more when we can smile and go ummm…Well this is not just the case for movies but also desserts. Whether it is a slice of cake or a big ice cream sundae.

Let’s face it, we all have our weak moments when it comes to those sweet somethings. And Pirlo’s Dessert bar is such a place where you can completely lose it. Their 1^st Birthday celebration was nothing short of yumminess. It was a day filled with yummy sundaes, waffles, pancakes, cakes and everything under the ‘dessert sun’

The place welcomes you with a warm aroma of freshly baked waffles, which are a must try. If you are Nutella or chocolate freak, then go for the Royal Rocher waffle which is topped with hazelnuts and a generous scoop of Ferrero Rocher gelato.

Next up is our super huge Ice cream sundaes. Choose from a traditional Nutella sundaes or some lovely tropical fruity sundae topped with fresh fruits and vanilla ice cream scoops. Fondue is a lovely lift me up, packed with mushy marshmallows or fruits dipped in warm chocolate sauces. If you are looking for some Italian love, pick from their long list of funky gelato flavours like bubblegum, biscotti, Honeycomb etc. We bet you would be spoilt for choice.

All this dessert making you feel thirsty? Fret not because they also have a wide selection of afternoon teas or cool mocktails to wash down that sweetness. You can team them up with some tangy lemon curd cake, blueberry cheesecake, traditional English fruit scones or even savoury sandwiches. Apart from the all-time favourites, they have a Pirlos special (drum roll please) which includes a fancy passion fruit crème Brulee and a mixed berry pavlova.

If you are looking for something healthier and have dietary restrictions, this is the best place because they have a separate vegan and gluten free menu too! Your favourite brownies, cakes and even waffles can now be enjoyed guilt free by your friends and family alike because they take large party orders.

Wait there is more! If you cannot find something interesting on the menu, go ahead and create your own customised crepe, waffle, cake or a sundae. Now that is what we call personalization and customization at it’s best. Pirlos is truly a Dessert factory dishing out some amazing desserts and most importantly they do it with a smile.

Hotel Du Vin, York – Yorkshire Hotel Review and Travel Diary

One would think that staying at manor houses and mansions was only possible in a setting of an Agatha Christie’s book; Mysterious Affair at Styles. But I was in for a breath-taking surprise when I was invited to the Hotel Du Vin York to visit their property that was tucked away in the Mount Area, very close to the city centre of Yorkshire.

We reached the property around 2 p.m.; as soon as I entered the hotel building, it gave me a feeling of an old world charm of high ceilings that is typical of the classical 19th-century architecture and some contemporary soothing decor of leather upholstery. After checking in, we wandered out to the quaint village outlet for shopping and then to the Christmas market to simply absorb all the Christmas cheer.

We came back to our extremely spacious rooms which had sprawling custom made beds, complete with hand-sprung mattresses, soft Egyptian cotton duvets and fluffy pillows that were inviting meyou to roll all over them like a kid simply! But, there was more room to explore in the room.

The room had an open plan tub, big enough to sleep in and comfortable enough to have your meal in. There was an option of a monsoon shower as well, for those of us who do not like to wallow in a bubble bath. To my utter delight, the little toiletries were from the house of Ren, which only use 100% plant and mineral derived actives. After a relaxing bath, I snugged into one of their soft Egyptian cotton bath robes that are as fluffy as cotton candy and if in mood for a quick snack or drink, I could just head over to the mini bar which is stocked with different liquor brands and yummy snacks. The best part is that the room has a unique decor, which makes me look forward to the whole experience so different to the bigger hotel chains where the décor in the rooms is sometimes too impersonal to make one feel relaxed or at home.
Later in the evening, we headed over to their in-house bar for a drink, to relax. For dinner, we headed to their Bistro which had a very earthy warm decor of dark wooden floors, restored fireplaces, paintings and soft lighting making it a perfect setting for a relaxing evening. Now comes my favourite part of food and drinks.
I was very impressed with their selection of wines, and we were recommended a perfect wine to go with your meal. To my surprise, the a-la carte was equally delightful for a vegetarian like me and a non-vegetarian like my husband. My husband ordered some seafood which had combined the taste of some freshly caught fish cooked slowly with some of their homemade mayonnaise, shallot vinegar sauces and condiments. Vegetarians like me did not have to fret because they had fresh green Super food kale salads, Tomato Consommé for starters and baked sweet corn and courgette cakes in the main course. All their food was cooked in a beautiful French home-style cooking enhanced with some traditional British flavours. Coupled with beautiful presentation and perfect wine, the meal was most satisfying for all the senses.
Next day, was beautiful in every aspect.Starting with breakfast which was simply out of the world. I was felt spoilt for choice with a wide range of fresh yummy goodies laid out on the country table that included freshly squeezed juices in cute small bottles, quirky mini jars of natural yoghurt porridges, baked pastries, and homemade granolas. After digging into some continental bits, we ordered the traditional cooked breakfast and a serving of poached eggs and avocado. As they say, breakfast should be fit for a King and it was fit for so many Kings!

We checked out of the hotel and headed out to the city of York to enjoy the rest of the beautiful day that included a visit to the York Minister which is Northern Europe’s largest Gothic Cathedral, a medieval castle that took us back to the Roman and Viking era, the old railway museum and last but not the least some little street shopping that always comes in handy to make us merry with Christmas round the corner.

Even though we stayed only for one night, we were blown away by the old manor charm coupled with modern luxuries and the outstanding service that Du Vin had to offer. If you are looking for a comfort, style and a bit of old school romance head to Du Vin York, I am sure you would not be disappointed.

Robata Bar & Grill – Resorts Worlds- High Tea Experience

Recently I indulged in the High Tea Experience at Robata Bar and Grill at Resorts World, Birmingham. It is a fusion Asian themed restaurant with a breathtaking view of the Pendigo Lake. With high ceilings and full-length glass windows with a lake view, the minimalistic décor is cozy and elegant with a serene and calm ambience which goes well with the cuisine and experience they have tried to create. What’s different about this place is the great fusion menu of European, Australian and Pan-Asian delicacies which compliments the unique and delicate beverage options. I went for the high tea experience with my husband as a date. The food, the atmosphere, and the ambience made it a memorable experience which I wanted to share with you all.The high tea comes at the cost of £19.50 for the non-alcoholic option and £24.50 with cocktails per person. They also have champagne and other options available. The menu is extensive and has a right balance of sweet and savory bites with a Pan Asian twist to the delicacies.

FIRST WAVE – Served with Ginger and Lemon Iced Tea

• Robata Grilled Chicken Yakatori Tender pieces of chicken thigh in a fragrant soy marinade
• Prawn and Tofu Ball Minced king prawn and tofu with chilli and ginger in a panko bread crumb coating
• Duck Long Bao Shredded Cantonese duck leg with hoisin wrapped in a soft steamed bun

SECOND WAVE – Served with your choice of Nespresso coffee or Newby of London tea

• Avocado Maki Roll Traditional soft rice wrapped in nori and filled with avocado and wasabi
• Squid Ink Tapioca Cracker with Beetroot Cured Salmon and Grapefruit Crisp tapioca cracker with beetroot cured salmon and grapefruit gel
• Yuzu and Lime Curd Tartlet Graham cracker tart filled with sweet yuzu lemon and lime curd
• Hazelnut and Chocolate Delice A rich hazelnut and chocolate layered mousse cake glazed with fine chocolate
• Spiced Strawberry Trifle Layered trifle with compressed intense strawberries and spiced biscuit crumb
• Orange Scone with Orange Curd Orange blossom scone with orange curd

I am a vegetarian so the first wave options which are offered for the high-tea could not be consumed by me. But when I told them about this, the staff brought out a special alternative first wave options for me and they were heavenly. They also do make special alternatives for people who may be allergic to certain types of food items. So don’t be disappointed if you can’t have a few options on the menu.

We enjoyed the high tea experience at this venue. Out of the tantalizing spread of delicious food and beverages, I really enjoyed the ginger and lemon ice tea. It was divine, refreshing and flavorsome. I also loved their dimsums and cocktails. From the second wave of sugary treats I enjoyed the Hazelnut and Chocolate Delice and Yuzu and Lemon Curd Tarlet. They were rich, succulent and, unlike any other dessert I’ve ever had. Since the second wave of the course is filled with sugary goodness, the Nespresso coffee, and the Newby tea are perfect accompaniments. The coffee is a bit strong and bitter which balances out the sweetness from the desserts. The tea is light, refreshing and flavorful since it has loose tea leafs which is just wonderful. And the best part about the whole experience is the fresh, handcrafted food.

Overall it was an evening well spent. I loved the atmosphere and the attentiveness of the staff. I also liked that fact that this is not like a standard English high tea experience with sandwiches and pastries in the menu. What makes this experience unique is the fusion of Asian food into the high tea. Even if you are not a tea person, there are numerous other options you can choose from.I highly recommend the high tea at Robata Bar & Grill. It’s a must try experience even if you have tried high tea before, as it’s very different from the others.

Have you ever had a unique high tea experience? Let me know in the comments below.

House Leamington – Opening Night & Restaurant Review

House Leamington, a new restaurant located at the premium location of Leamington Parade Road, is all set to tempt the palate of food lovers with its amazing food and drinks. The restaurant which was inaugurated on 12^thNovember 2016 has the theme of “Home away from home”as one could guess from its name. The quirky interiors give it a wonderful ambience while the classic food and drinks bring it closer to heart. Let’s know more about this new place, which is sure to be the talk of the town! Space wise, House Leamington deserves to be called lavish, as it offers three bars along with four additional sitting areas that serve diverse needs. The sitting area comprises of a restaurant link sitting, an open terrace for smoke lovers and a roof-top garden where guests can enjoy lit fire during winter nights. Another one is a secret room for private get-together and parties so that guests can have a nice time on their own. While the outdoor sitting works for people who prefer open air, the indoors are great for groups and parties. House Leamington is an awesome place for children too.

Next is the menu, which is as appealing to the palate as the décbar or is for the eye. House Leamington serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and coffee. It offers an exquisite twist to classic food, making it a must-try for avid food enthusiasts. Whether it is food or drinks, there are amazing and wholesome options to tempt the taste buds and keep the stomach happy. What more, there is a special menu for the little ones too.

I would rate House Leamington as a place for one and the all, perfect for a night out with friends, whether you are a college-goer looking for some excitement or a food lover who wants to spend a lovely evening enjoying sumptuous food and splendid drinks along with a meaningful conversation with friends. Being a foodie that I am, I would definitely love to try out the breakfast menu sometime soon.

Happy Dining!!!