Addoni's — Restaurant in Delhi

Snuggled on a quaint, tree-lined street in the city's center, Willow & Thyme Bistro presents a warm, sophisticated dining experience that's as considerate as it is delectable. Having heard enthusiastic word-of-mouth from friends and read rave reviews online, I finally got the chance to try it out last weekend—and while it wasn't exactly a five-star affair, it came frighteningly close.

From the time we entered, the mood was cozy and inviting. Soft lighting, brick walls, and mellow jazz music set a comfortable yet sophisticated tone. We were seated immediately by the hostess and placed by the front window, where we could observe the evening light ebb over the neighborhood—a gentle but appreciated touch to the general atmosphere.

Our server, Marcus, was attentive and informed without being intrusive. He made good, considered recommendations and appeared to be truly excited about the menu, which is seasonal and emphasizes local ingredients. The wine list was large and well-chosen, with a combination of international and regional wines. We had a bottle of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, which complemented most of our meal nicely.

We began by ordering the gorgonzola and caramelized pear crostini and the house pâté. Both were presented with flair and tasted with a contrast of bold and delicate flavors. The crostini especially stood out: the sweet pear, tangy cheese, and crispy bread were an appealing combination that left us anticipating the next course.

For our entrees, I ordered the pan-seared halibut with lemon beurre blanc, and my companion had the braised short ribs with truffle mashed potatoes. The halibut was cooked to perfection—flaky, moist, and lightly seasoned so that the fish's freshness could take center stage. The beurre blanc was rich and tangy, adding to but never dominating the dish. The short ribs were just as pleasing: rich, tender, and full of depth of flavor. The accompanying vegetables, though fresh and well-prepared, felt like more of an afterthought and didn’t quite match the creativity of the proteins.

We finished with the lavender crème brûlée and a shared espresso. The dessert was a highlight: subtly floral with a crisp, caramelized top and silky custard beneath. It was the kind of dish that feels both comforting and elevated, a fitting end to a well-executed meal.

Now, regarding the little subtleties that reduced this from five-star to four-star. First, although the food was superb throughout, the between-course pacing was a bit uneven. Our appetizers were delivered quickly enough, but there was a bit of a gap before the entrées were delivered. Not a significant problem, but it broke the rhythm of the evening just enough to notice.

Secondly, although Marcus was a great server, we heard another table beside us mention slow service and their experience did not appear nearly as smooth. Perhaps they were short-staffed that evening, but consistency is what counts for a restaurant at this cost.

Overall, Willow & Thyme Bistro is an outstanding dining experience with only a few small areas for refinement. The food is fresh, well-prepared, and creative without being snobbish. The atmosphere is beautiful, and the service—at least at our table—was warm and professional. I wouldn't think twice about going back, and I'd recommend it heartily to anyone seeking a special evening out without going into full fine-dining formality.

With just a little more attention to pacing and consistency between tables, this could be a five-star spot. For now, it's a solid four stars—and on my shortlist of favorite local...

Addoni's – A Place Where You Don’t Just Dine, You Belong

Some places serve food. Others serve experiences. And then there's Addoni's—a space where every meal is a homecoming. Nestled on Sri Aurobindo Marg, this isn't just another restaurant; it's a celebration of flavors, stories, and shared moments. From the moment I stepped in, I felt less like a diner and more like a guest at a long-lost family gathering.

At Addoni's, every seat is a place at the family table. The Addoni family has traveled the world, gathering recipes that have touched their hearts—dishes rich with history, flavors that tell tales, and plates that hold the warmth of togetherness. Their menu is more than a list of meals; it's a tapestry of experiences woven together with love and meant to be shared.

Flavors That Transport You

I started my evening with Curried Chicken & Coconut Gyoza—a beautiful fusion of flavors with the warmth of curry and the subtle sweetness of coconut. The dumpling was delicate yet packed with flavor, setting the perfect tone for what was to come.

Next up was the Agua Chile Pani Puri—a vibrant, playful dish that reimagined a street food favorite. The crisp puris were filled with guacamole and a zesty jalapeño agua chile, bursting with freshness. I added tequila to mine, and let’s just say, that was a decision I did not regret!

For mains, I indulged in two exquisite dishes:

Old Delhi Nihari Lamb – The slow-cooked lamb shanks were fall-off-the-bone tender, infused with a secret Purani Dilli spice mix. Served with saffron bread, this dish was pure nostalgia on a plate, a tribute to the rich culinary heritage of Old Delhi.

Adana Kebab – Sumac and saffron-spiced ground lamb kebabs, served with wood-fired manakeesh, charred lemon, and dill tzatziki. The flavors were bold, smoky, and perfectly balanced.

Ending on a Sweet Note

Pastry Chef Samarthraj Shettyy outdid himself with the desserts. I couldn’t pick a favorite between these two masterpieces:

Hazelnut & Dark Chocolate Torte – A decadent mix of 70% single-origin dark chocolate, hazelnut praline, salted caramel, and hazelnut gelato. Rich, indulgent, and absolutely unforgettable.

Bailey’s & Strawberry Tiramisu – This wasn’t just any tiramisu. The mascarpone mousse, Bailey’s espresso-soaked savoiardi, fresh strawberries, and aerated chocolate made every bite a dream.

The Long Bar – Where the Night Unfolds Of course, no evening is complete without a round (or two) of drinks. Harminder Singh ensured our glasses were never empty, curating cocktails that were as much about the experience as the taste. The Long Bar at Addoni’s is where cocktails flow effortlessly, laughter hums through the air, and every sip feels like a quiet celebration.

A Dining Experience to Remember

A heartfelt thank you to Culinary Director Megha Kohli and Head Chef Rithick Sanyal, who took impeccable care of our table. Their passion for food and hospitality shines through every dish.

At Addoni’s, food is more than nourishment; it’s a language of togetherness. A bridge between past and present, between strangers and loved ones. Here, you don’t just dine—you belong.

So, who’s joining me for the next round at...

Addoni’s - Aurobindo Marg . It’s rather unfortunate when an establishment is beautifully made , the ambience inviting the food delectable- however the people (staff) running the place have no clue about how to deliver let alone a memorable experience but even a passable experience .

When throughout the evening they goof up your order , drinks take far longer than necessary (inspite of giving them leeway and margin it being a weekend night) , the waiters pass you by pretend they didn’t hear you , umpteen reminders need to be given for them to replenish your drinks .

Complaints to the jr manager and the restaurant manager had no effect …

Normally even if service charge is included and the staff has been kind enough to have made an effort to make the evening special I leave a generous tip over the service charge - the service , the calibre of the people here was so poor that I for one asked them to remove the service charge , completely contrary to how I normally am .

The situation is exaggerated when instead of being humble and polite about their inefficiency they respond with arrogance . Normally when one goes to a restaurant good service is a norm however this establishment is making it out to be a favour that one should seek before going or while one is there .. I guess the reason why some outlets do outstandingly well and others not so much is that the successful ones have the right mix - ambience service and food . To me where I find they lack the most is redressal of a grievance - as a business every business at one time or another err’s in my opinion how they redress the situation sets them apart from the avoidable ones to the ones one flocks too… and this is definitely avoidable !!!

I hope someone from the establishment is here to read this and hopefully address these issues - cause the place the decor the ambience the location is all great however their staff needs to be trained in...