Farzi Cafe — Restaurant in Gurugram District

16.02.2019

Perhaps some of you may have experienced this existential crisis as often as I do while considering my food picks. The starters remain non-controversially standard, but I can endlessly mull over on the futility of piling up calories while choosing the mains.

But then I am a heart thinker. And the gruelling business of being alive is always a good reason to celebrate... is my usual “self talk”..!

So when my gut tells me to go all in on the haleem, it feels right. It also becomes unimportant that I have tasted about 6/7 starters and a few mains already. This dish in particular sounds and looks disarmingly modest anyway, and convinced, I fork a mouthful...

and hello, what did I just eat?

A Grand hit. Of Umami. Its time for me to pay more attention.

You will regret it if you order this to share. The mains become the main thing. Easily!

#FarziCafe is neither new nor white-hot.

And yet despite such “insufficiencies”, this restaurant is abuzz with loyal regulars structuring weekends around a dinner here. Why? Because Farzi absolutely is one of the most self-assured and poised eatery with a “no messing” brilliance written all over the place.

We were invited to pull back the curtains on the new menu at Farzi Cafe, with an eclectic queuing of some fabulous, foodarazzi friendly dishes and this abode of modernistic cooking pulled it off very well.

Rocky Mohan and Zorawar Kalra, the curators of the evening, deserve a thunderous applause for remaining faithful to the winning ways of what they both individually stand for.. rich conversations, palpable charm and brill hospitality.

Here’s #WhatIAte :

Amuse Bouche : one sweet dollop of goodness! Fresh! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Edamame and Aloo Samosa Pinwheel Chaat: Earthy and comforting all at once. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Collage canteen masala aloo sandwich : Its simplicity is belied by the palpable pleasure delivered when the textures and flavours come together. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thai curry Paneer Tikka with sambal Mayo: Go for it, just for the Mayo. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Guntur Chilli Chicken with coconut flakes : another snack that squares up well. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tellicherry Pepper Chicken Tikka: Warm, rich and soft in parts and satisfyingly crunchy in others. Loved it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Amritsari Fish Taco: There is an instant sense of identity with this one, so I quite enjoy the thumb-lengths of privileges that are beyond the ordinary. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Avocado Bowl : The whole thing.. so much joy. 🔝

Dal Chawal Arancini : Nothing beats the comforting sight and smell of Dal Chawal, all “rolled into one”, literally! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mushroom Do Pyaaza with Mirch ka parantha : this falls into a spectrum where it could become boring, but it’s not! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Haleem Risotto with Mutton pickle: my road to Damascus. It makes me want to consider investing in real estate across the street. 🔝

Fish Pulimunchi/ onion ghee Pulao: Outstanding ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tandoori NewZealand Lamb Chops : It is, quite literally, a beast! 🔝

Doing something genuinely nice for the restless in us is tricky. Where everyone around is so cutting edge it must be difficult to retain one’s reassuring appeal. Farzi has been doing its thing for a while, and successfully so.

It’s 17 of them, and growing. That’s what’s super notable...

Farzi Cafe

Cyber Hub has a lot of food joints but Farzi cafe definitely catches your eye because they serve food in an eye catchy way, full points for presentation and elevated taste in all of the otherwise classic/traditional dishes. They have a good indoor vibe with a great playlist so one can enjoy their food and drinks.

Drinks : Coffee House - Coffee based gin drink was so good, the bartender had some tricks up his sleeves for sure. Tricky Tiki - Fruit flavoured Cocktail served on a tribal face orange glass, kudos on the presentation.

Veg (Starters) : Sweet Potato Chaat Chutney Foam Crispy Wafer - A classic street side chaat item served in a fancy restaurant this was mouth watering the potato chaat was very flavourful, the Indian spices made for one hell of an item. Tanga Soya Chaap Crispy Noodles - A bowl of soya chaap which was had a punch, full of strong flavours, it was super spicy and absolutely delightful. Paneer Tikka Keeper’s Raita - Soft pieces of paneer cooked in a great marination it was the classic Indian Starter we would love. Tandoori Broccoli, cream fresh - You may not expect much for this dish but if you love Broccoli then this dish would blow your mind and if otherwise you are not in the mood for Paneer then pick this malai wali Broccolli and enjoy the delicious dish.

Non Veg (Starters) : Rock Prawns Thecha Pepper & Peanuts - The dish was presented so well you couldn't wait to dive in. The aroma of the prawns and spices was inviting. The prawns were fresh, cooked and marinated well. So flavourful my favourite from all the starters.

Souffle Mutton Seekh - Again, the presentation of this dish was marvellous it was so very appealing but the Mutton seekh was not upto expectations, the mutton seemed a bit dry, couple that with the already dry souffle, the entire dish tasted dry but the flavours were there.

Chicken Candy Gondhoraj Sauce - The chicken inside was soft with a crunchy covering. Chicken served as candy? What else would you want?! Perfect chicken starter imo. But the best part of the dish was the sauce served with it, was very tasty.

Main Course : Exotic Mushroom Gassi and Ajwaini Laccha Paratha - The gravy was rich and creamy and the mushrooms were cooked perfectly loved it with the Indian bread served on the side.

(Non Veg) Chicken Cairiyal Garlic Naan - The chicken was soft, well cooked, the meat was literally melting off the bones, complimented the gravy well, was delicious.

Amouse Bouce for palate cleansing, loved the Imly Candies that they served post the Main Course and before we could dig into the Desserts.

Desserts : Yuzu Malai, Pistachio Crumbs - Ah this dessert was mind blowing. Yuzu flavour was rather subtle and very palatable and the pistachio crumbs were perfect to cut out the overlapping flavours, well balanced dessert. Coconut & Jaggery Payasam - If you love coconut flavour then order this blindly it is a South Indian delight for sure.

The interior is quite simple but very classy and service was quick despite most of the Tables being occupied and the staff was...

Wow...is the most apat expression to begin the review for this place, Almost every dish has a wow factor. Having visited Farzi cafes in Bangalore and Mumbai I really wasnt expecting they would be able to surprise me here in Gurgaon but they did and how. This place is all about Innovations in food and presentation. If you understand what flavours in a dish are and want to experience a rollercoaster ride in this culinary amusement world....this is a place to venture in.

Service: The service cannot get better and is nothing short of 5 star even though the place gets crowded. The staff is prompt and knows each and every dish very well. Subhod who served us along with the chef himself taking our orders ensured they explained each dish with the zeal its made.

Ambience:

Very elegantly done with an old and rustic feel. This place generally gets crowded with the IT crowd looking to unwind with colleagues so table booking is recommended even on weekdays. The DJ spins great english and occasional Hindi tracks. The volume is just right for one to have a conversation. So the field is well set for one to indulge in the culinary experience.

Cocktails:

Chuski Margarita: Margarita couldnt be better with amazing flavours of raw mango. To make you taste the flavours they present it with iced gola...couldnt get better.

Chai Pani: vodka and Kahlua based cocktail with tea infused in it. Tea connoisseur's must try.

Food:

You are swept off your feet even before you start your meal with the welcome dish...we were served a unique version of Misti Doi.

Soup: Cream Corn Chowder Bhutta wild greens. Amazing flavours and a must try.

Starters: Mushroom Falafel Donner. A must try for veggie lovers.

Chicken tikka cigars: Innovatively presented yet the flavours are amazingly induced.

Tandoori soy chops cheese and nut fudge: Another must try for veggie lovers and a local favourite.

Tahini cured country wings with tomato garlic chutney: Mildly flavoured and good for people who prefer less spice and pungent flavours.

Mains:

Murg korma Biryani with peanut salan: chicken biryani very well flavoured with whole Indian spicies. Not oily and over flavoured....just the way it should be. The salan adds an extra touch of spiciness and can be added as per requirement.

Desserts:

With so much food we really had to push ourselves for desserts but so glad we did.

Ras malai tres leches: A unique Rasmalai which is with Gajar Halwa and dipped in Safforn milk.

Parle G cheese cake: This one makes you rather nostalgic when you look at the Parle G biscuits and the cheese cake sandwiched between them. Rabri is the sauce its dipped in and leads to explosion...