The first impression of an eatery says a lot. But it is the second and the latter discoveries you make which make dining interesting
The first impression of an eatery says a lot. But it is the second and the latter discoveries you make which make dining interesting
There are many Khans I can relate Khan Market to. The way it stands today, I won't be surprised if somebody told me it was named after Shah Rukh or Aamir or even Saif for that matter. Khan Abdul Ghaffer Khan, the man remembered in history text books as Frontier Gandhi, rarely comes to our mind today. If the man was alive, I wonder how he would react to an expensive retail high street named after him. 
Back to Karol Bagh
It was mulling over this thought that I entered Toro, a two-month-old restrobar in the market. Strangely, I have a feeling Khan Sahab would have approved of the austerity. For a joint which dares to spring up in Khan Market, the d ufffdcor gives a sense of sloth. The furniture could have been a little sharper. Even the cushions could do with some smarting up. When was the last time I saw something similar? Has to be in one of those shops in Lajpat Nagar. If a guy from Karol Bagh or Punjabi Bagh drives all the way up to Khan Market to impress his girlfriend, I would bloody well hope the chappie gets a chance to do that and not feel like he is back in Karol Bagh.
Revelation time
But if you can ignore what I just said and concentrate on the food, you are in for a surprise. I was informed the menu was prepared by a Spanish gentleman. Specifically who, I didn't get to know. So you find mostly what restaurants have come to call Mediterranean cuisine. And of course Oriental, to keep it safe. I ordered a Pomegranate Refresher for my parched throat. It turned out to be pomegranate muddled with apple juice, sugar served in a chilled tall glass.
Top it up with a little soda and it does make you forget your hectic life and transport you somewhere else for a few seconds(of course, for a few seconds, so plan ahead what you wanna fantasise). Being a little adventurous (the place is yet to get its liquor license) I had Berries, Pineapple with Watermelon Frappe (pineapple blended with strawberries, cranberry, watermelon and lime), not bad but not as titillating as the Pomegranate Refresher.
To balance this and to honour the Oriental menu I chose Chicken Taipie as an appetiser to chomp on. It was deep fried chicken (don't go with your dietician) in Thai herbs. If your fork is doing more work and conversation is low you know it's worth your money so the deep fried chicken is definitely worth trying.
And if you are feeling a little guilty about the deep fried stuff, order an Insalata Capriciousa. This salad has cherry tomatoes, artichoke and shaved Parmesan toppings and vinegar seasoning and olive oil. Healthy and light on the stomach for a summer lunch. Add some bacons if you are a non vegetarian and voila! A quick and easy way to lose those pounds. The Pollo alla mare Monte is what I tried for the main course. The braised chicken with tiger prawns, mushrooms and olives in wine sauce (Marsala wine) was an unexpected
surprise entry. The mashed potatoes were amazingly pleasant to dig in. A simple thing but to get it prefect I'm sure the chef has a granny who passed on the secret.
I wouldn't go to Toro again if I was very finicky about how a place looks, but how a place makes you feel is again very subjective. I had a very good time digging into the dishes the place had to offer. Now it is up to you to take up the gamble. Happy dining!
At: 29, Khan Market
Timings: 11 am to midnight
Ring: 43105777
Meal for two: Rs 1,200 + taxes
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
