The Rajdhani Express was entering Nizamuddin(Delhi) during the beginning early 2001, as it crossed the Nizamuddin Pool(bridge), the pungent smell almost led to an unconscious death. Being in the AC compartment turned out lucky for me.
This initial impression of the ’’Rajdhani’’ of India had started raising doubts about my ’’relocation to Delhi’’ decision. I had this ideal picture of Delhi where all the roads were as clean and empty as they were misguided in movies like Chasme Baddoor.
Was supposed to join a large MNC which had promised me an exciting nature of work with an onsite opportunity involved(main reason for an IT guy).;-)
After waiting at the outer signal(and being compelled to THAT smell) for another 15-20 minutes, the train stopped at NZM Station. Got down at Nizamuddin and was sort of relieved after realising that I no more had to take that smell.

Just like anybody else, had experienced more Downs rather Ups in the initial months of my stay in the ’’Rajdhani’’, first with the onsite travel no more existing and then a maintenance project. ;-(.
Anyways, after realising what lies ahead for me while in Delhi, started exploring Delhi. I just gave a thought ’’There should be something in this more-than-thousand-year-old city catering to the employment of over 8 states in North India’’.

So the search began.. and What best way for a bachelor to explore a new place than visiting places of food?
So here goes my list of Top Five Eating places in ’’Rajdhani’’. These are purely based on public’s demand for the food at these places and their unique tastes.

1)Karachi Sweets Shop(?) near Ganga Ram hospital signals.
Many like me from the other part of the country always wondered how much sweets do these guys eat here? But I can bet you if you visit this place once on the corner of the Panch Kuian Road near the signals of Ganga Ram Hospital, you will stop thinking about it. Instead you will be addicted to sweets. Yes, the speciality of this place are Kaala Jaamun and Jalebi and that too Garma Garam(very hot) anytime. They also serve Samosas and Kachoris and others too. But Kaala Jaamun and Jalebi are the BEST here. They say it has been there from the days of Independence with the same owner which speaks of its populatiry. You can see people stopping here for energising themselves after being tired of bargaining for furniture in the shops of Panch Kuia Road. You can reach this place from New Delhi Rly Stn by taking a cycle rickshaw not costing more than 5 Rupees one way. If more than 5 rupees are asked, you can always bargain. Delhi is a city of bargains even Power is bargained here ;-). Only one thing you cannot bargain with is Auto fares..;-(
So njoy the unique Kaala Jaamuns.

2)Paratha Stall opposite Vikram Hotel (Moolchand Flyover in Lajpat Nagar)
I was introduced to this place when I was staying in Vikram Vihar. After my first visit, used to visit it almost daily for the many more days.This place is usually open after 6 in the evening and is open till almost 4 in the morning many times. It was originally started for Taxi Drivers in the South Delhi area but almost everybody visits there nowadays. Usually Aloo Pyaas, Aloo, Methi, Muli, Egg Parathas are popular. More popular are the mirchis and masala sprinkled Raita served alongwith. Locating this place is pretty easy. Ask for Vikram Hotel(famous hotel as Charles Sobhraj was caught in here and thus it became popular) opposite Moolchand Hospital on Ring Road.

3)Sagar Ratna in Defence Colony
Introduced to me by my cousins, this is one of the best rather the best South Indian restaurant in Delhi. It is very popular among the families for Parties. But for me it was heaven in terms of South Indian food after repeatedly trying at many other so called experimentative South Indian Restaurants. More than often, my guests from outside Delhi were left with no option after my discovering Sagar ;-). Masala Dosa and Dahi Bhalla are my favourite here among many other. Just before leaving Delhi, I paid my last vist to this place, when Mr. Shetty (owner who as a child ran away from his village, Udipi in Karnataka to make his destiny) showed me his new venture. It was a Non-vegetarian version of Sagar Ratna just few blocks away from the Veggy one. It has a cosy chinese look as far as decoration is concerned. Hopefully food there too would be as nice as the original.

4)Parathe Waali Galli
Need you any introduction to this place. Do you really? ..... Kidding??
Anyhow for those who had not heard about it till date, this Galli in chandni Chowk is one of the famous places for Parathas across the globe. I came across this place while watching a program on BBC. Once you reach this place, you will find that there is no vegetable left that a Paratha cannot be made of.;-)). And each one has its own taste. Even here I felt my favourites ruled the show, Aloo Pyaas and Methi. But the place is unique in itself. Got to visit it once.

5)Mama Bhanjha Chana Bhatura (?).
This one in Amar Colony is popular for its Chana Bhatura. On the mornings of Saturdays and Sundays, I used to feel like almost no family in Amar Colony and surroundings prepares their food at home. Instead they have parcel Brunch of this extraordinarily tasty Chana Bhatura. I had to wait at least 20-30 times every time I wanted to relish Garma Garam Chana Bhatura here.

There are many other places which I had visited but the above ones have been honest to their taste, quality and price put together at least as long as I was in Delhi(till mid 2003).

Along with these places, there were many other interesting experiences that kept me engrossed most of the time during my next 2 and half years stay in Delhi. And looking back now I donot have an iota of regret of my stay in Delhi.;-)).

Please post your comments and let me know of any other places I missed while in Delhi so that I can visit them in my next visit.

~Enjoy how tasty IT is than worrying about how IT was made