Refreshingly Indian

Monsoon by Café Lota rediscovers Indian food beyond stereotype with a food menu that presents ‘Indian food with a twist’, says Vishwas Makhija, Co-founder Monsoon at Café Lota, Worldmark 1, R4, Aerocity, New Delhi.

Lipla Negi

Anyone who has been to India or has read about the country surely has a fair idea of how dynamic and diverse its food offerings are. Food is ingrained in the country’s history, culture, topography and day-to-day life. And yet this image of India food, over the years, has got constricted to spicy curries. Monsoon by Café Lota rediscovers Indian food beyond this stereotype with a food menu that presents “Indian food with a twist,” says Vishwas Makhija, Co-founder Monsoon at Café Lota, Worldmark 1, R4, Aerocity, New Delhi.

From the quaint beach towns of South India to the sun-glazed villages in the Himalayan region, the multi-regional & multi-cultural menu brings recipes that have been part of Indian kitchens for decades now. While all the ingredients are locally sourced, the spices are hand pounded to follow recipes that have been passed down from generations. “We have focussed on special delicacies that Indian households proudly reserve for their guests or reveal at only special occasions like big festivals,” explains co-founder Rajesh Ojha. To suit the evolving palate of the global traveller, the upscale café has infused more nutritional ingredients to these age-old recipes. For instance, buckwheat pancakes, odd vegetable kebabs (made with seasonal veggies like beetroot, mushroom, pumpkin, etc) and chocolate torte on a crispy millet base.

Exuding the tranquillity and stillness of monsoon season, the décor charms with calming hues of blue, old-school louvered windows, understated yellow stucco walls, warm wood seating, and hand-painted murals of scenes from a life close to nature.  “We have travelled extensively around the globe but the beauty of India during monsoon is uniquely refreshing and something that we had never seen anywhere else in the world. Our space is as much a visual break from the urban black and white, as it is mental,” share Makhija.

A dining experience at Monsoon by Café Lota is singularly unique and refreshing for two reasons – the hospitality and the research that has gone behind each dish till it reaches your plate. From vegetarian bestsellers such as Buckwheat Pancakes and assorted Beetroot, Pumpkin, and Kala Chana Kebabs, to non-vegetarian favourite’s such as the Prawn Pepper Stir Fry and Sesame Chicken, there is a soul food for every diner here. “To add to any diner’s delight, we also have a carefully curated cocktail menu with concoctions that you have probably never sipped on before,” says Makhija.

Aerocity is the global business hub for domestic professionals and international business traveller, and over the years, this restaurant has become a popular stop-over for soul-soothing food and conversations. “We also curate special tasting menus for big groups – international as well as domestic travellers,” states Makhija. Himalayan trout, sesame chicken, lemon ginger chicken and chocolate torte are some of the most popular dishes among travellers.