>Haryana Government Tourist Bureau for details 36 Janpath, Chanderlok Building
Tel: 011 2332 4910/11
Entry: Rs 20 per car
Web: http://haryanatourism.com/destinations/r_badkhal.asp
Sohna
The village of Sohna is located on top of the Aravalli Hills in Haryana, about 60 km from Delhi. Sohna got its name from a nearby stream whose sands are said to have been littered with ‘sohna’, the Hindi word for gold. Sohna is also famous for its sulphur spring. The water supposedly has medicinal benefits in curing skin diseases. This town is well known for its hot springs where the temperature of the spring ranges from 46°c to 51°c. The spring comes from the base of a rock, which is covered by a dome. This dome is believed to have been built in the 14th century. The springs can only be accessed on foot, as the lanes in the town are too narrow for a vehicle to pass. Hindus consider the tank sacred and come for a dip in its water on solar/lunar eclipses and Somavati Amavasya. A ruined old fort can be explored on an adjoining hill. Every February, a Statesman Vintage Car Rally is held in the area. The Haryana Government set up a Barbet resort for tourists. One can choose from a 4-bed dormitory, camper huts or family huts. The facilities include a restaurant, health club with steam, sauna and sulfur baths. There’s also a small splash pool.
>Barbet Resort
Tel: 0124 2362 2256
>The Westin Sohna
Tel: 0124 450 8888
Web: www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/index.html
The Delhi Tourism Development Corporation conducts parasailing flights at Kanwarshikha near Sohna. The minimum number of people required is 10. The flight lasts 5 to 7 minutes. Participants must weigh between 45–70 kg (99 and 154 pounds). Activity is geared for older kids and parents.
>Central Reservation Office, DTDC,
Baba Kharak Singh Marg, opposite Hanuman Mandir
Tel: Ashok Kakkar at 011 2341 4011
Office hours: Mon to Fri 9 am to 5 pm
Timings: To be determined dependent on the weather
Entry: Rs 600 per person
Surajkund
At barely 8 km from Delhi, beyond the old city of Tughlaqabad, Surajkund, is the epitome of a day trip that requires very little planning. The name derives from a splendid water tank that is believed to have been constructed by the Rajput king Suraj Pal in the eleventh century. The village has become quite famous for its yearly mela during the first 2 weeks in February that draws craftspeople from all over Delhi in a must-see event. A range of silver jewellery, wood carvings, puppets, carpets, silks and embroidery and fabrics are on offer. Nothing is machine made and in addition to sampling the culture you can sample various cuisines. If shopping is not your thing, the Badhkal Lake Complex, 9 km away, boasts camel rides, fishing and swimming, which the entire family can enjoy. There’s even a 9-hole golf course, complete with putting greens. The lake is another attraction. The term ‘lake’ is a misnomer, however, as it is not a lake but a man-made reservoir. The name in Hindi means ‘Reservoir of the Sun’. Surajkund, with its serene surroundings, is a popular picnic spot for Delhites. Besides exploring the lake, visitors can also have a closer look into the life of the local community. There is also a terracotta park tucked away in the hillside. The Surajkund complex has basalt rocks around it and is popular for rock climbing. Photography enthusiasts will love the grassy slopes all along the roadside. The village’s natural setting has pebbled paths, dense shrubbery and bougainvillea creepers all over the place. There are small bridges that arch across rivulets and end in a pool. Flower beds are scattered here and there and when in full bloom and in season, they add greatly to the beauty of the surroundings.
> Take the Delhi–Agra highway or the approach road from the Mehrauli–Tughlagabad highway
Tilyar Lake
Situated 70 km from New Delhi in Rohtak district, Tilyar Lake is a favourite excursion for those coming from New Delhi. The lake offers facilities for boating, accommodation, restaurants, bar, children’s park and a mini zoo.
>70 km from Delhi in Rohtak district
EATS
No. 1: Yum Yum Tree. Delicious Sunday brunch for the family.
Delhi has turned into quite a patchwork of culinary delights with a wide range of traditional North Indian and South Indian cuisine to Indian Chinese, Chinese, Italian and Continental and a mix of everything else thrown in between. Those who prefer the restaurants at 5-star hotels still can’t resist the food cooked roadside every once in a while. Roadside fare isn’t recommended for young children or the uninitiated but there are plenty of family-friendly options for all palates and price points. Locations near tourist haunts get extra treatment here, but if you happen to be staying in out-of-the-way guest houses or with family or friends, check out Time Out Delhi, foodiebay.com, burrp.com and justdial.com to find more outlets, restaurant reviews, scanned menus, addresses and phone numbers.
The Food and Safety Standards Authority (FSSA) has prepared a directory of safe eating establishments. It recognizes about 1,000 small and medium restaurants across Delhi (highly concentrated in the areas of Connaught Place and Chandni Chowk) that maintain hygienic kitchens and serving areas per FSSA guidelines. The establishments have an FSSA seal of approval. But even if a restaurant doesn’t have the seal, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t meet hygienic standards. It could just mean it wasn’t on the targeted list. With thousands of eateries in Delhi, the agency concentrated on establishments that needed to be cleaned up in the first place by teaching staff about health and safety standards. The certification is a way to ensure that minimum standards are maintained all over the city. These standards include head and beard covering for kitchen staff and separate storage and preparatory areas for raw meat and poultry. The list—not yet published at press time—will be posted at www.fssai.gov.in. Bon appétit!
Rise and Shine
All-day breakfast options will go a long way for parents of children who don’t like to try anything new, don’t like their food to touch and who don’t like to eat. At least seeing pancakes with smiley faces will get something in their stomachs. A few of the breakfast items listed are not served after 11 am, but that hardly makes your meal a less enjoyable one. The food is great!
The All American Diner
The owners could not have picked a more appropriate name for the diner. Everything Americana is found on the extensive menu at the All American Diner. Wear your pants with the elastic at the waist. Choose from doughnuts, chocolate croissants, pancakes, waffles, bagels and French toast. The eggs come every which way but loose (unless you order them over easy). The kids will like the booths and the juke box. Come back for lunch, too, if you don’t want to spoil them with a milkshake for breakfast. Breakfast for a family of four is Rs 1,000.
>India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road
Tel: 011 4122 0000 / 4366 3162
Timings: 7 am to 11 pm
Choko la
With branches in Khan Market and Vasant Vihar, you have your bases covered with Choko la. The Khan Market branch is full of the expat set. Big picture windows, comfy chairs and a long fixed sofa are ideal for the kids. Menu offerings include waffles, crepes, eggs as you like and delicious homemade jam and hot chocolate made with real chocolate, not the powdered stuff. The only real downside is the steep climb up about 15 steps to get inside the first floor of the restaurant. Not ideal if you have a stroller. But there is a guard at the door so he can help you carry it up. The bathroom is located between the first and second floors and has a low toilet that is ideal for little ones. You can also take away handmade chocolates, rice crispies, cookies etc. They’re all nicely packaged so you can pull out a treat for later. Menu offerings include American-style pancakes, Eggs Benedict and an array of muffins, breads, juices, coffees and tea. The prices are quite reasonable, ranging from Rs 190 to Rs 250. Choko la offers an afternoon tea that serves 2 for Rs 350 and home delivery.
>36 Khan Market, Middle Lane
Tel: 011 4175 7570
Timings: 8 am
to 11 pm
>Priya Cinema Complex Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar
Tel: 011 4166 9595
Timings: 8 am to 11 pm
Cocoa by Belgique
At Cocoa by Belgique, combos of all kinds make for a hearty breakfast. Their extensive omelette menu, American breakfast combo, classic combo and country combo leave you spoiled for choice. The restaurant serves mainly European and American foods so don’t come in looking for spice. Prices start from Rs 600 for two. (See also restaurant listings, pp.134–5.)
>Select Citywalk Mall, Ground Flr, Saket
Tel: 011 4265 8279
Timings: 10 am to midnight
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will make you pop into Select Citywalk Mall even if you have no shopping to do. Spread over nearly 2,000 square feet, there are well over 150 seats, both comfy and café shop regimented, and a menu filled with a variety of sandwiches, salads, pies, desserts and an all-day breakfast menu. It is also reasonably priced; pastries begin from Rs 50 and sandwiches from Rs 250. Of course, there’s a fine selection of teas and coffees. Take a seat on the terrace so the kids can run across the spacious lawn and throw coins in the fountain. The establishment overlooks a spacious lawn so the kids can run about under your watchful eye.
>Select Citywalk Mall, Saket
Tel: 011 4059 7571
Timings: Daily 9 am to 11 pm
Eggspectation
Some Westerners may have already sampled the breakfast options at Eggspectation franchisees across the US and Canada. Obviously eggs in every preparation are on the menu, but the restaurant also offers a selection of crepes and pancakes. This place is open 24 hours so you can stick around for a proper meal too. The average cost is Rs 800 for 2.
>Jaypee Vasant Continental Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar
Tel: 011 2614 8800
Timings: Daily 24 hours
Hare Krishna Guest House
In the heart of the main bazaar in Paharganj, Hare Krishna Guest House offers rooftop dining for a very reasonable price; the average cost is Rs 200 for 2. Breakfast is served around the clock and includes Thai food. There’s a pool table too.
>1572–73 Main Bazaar, Paharganj, near Khanna Cinema
Tel: 011 4154 1341
Metro: New Delhi Railway Station
Timings: Daily 24 hours
Market Café
Market Café in Khan Market will satisfy your cravings for Western fare. Spanish omelettes, scrambled eggs on toast, eggs Benedict and freshly squeezed orange juice rule the menu. Located above women’s designer store Maanan, you’re sure to feel better about dropping several thousand rupees on the slow walk down. There’s an outdoor balcony if you’d like to brace yourself for a day of sightseeing.
>8 Khan Market
Tel: 011 4175 7703
Timings: Daily 10:30 am to 11 pm
Cost: Rs 800 for 2
McDonald’s
McDonald’s has already made inroads with our waistlines with the Maharaja Mac. Now they are taking on breakfast staples of Hot Cakes, sausage patties, eggs and hash browns at a few select outlets around the city. There are 14 combination platters on the breakfast menu.
>42 Janpath, Connaught Place, Delhi
Tel: 011 2331 8931, 011 2331 8906
Breakfast timings: 7 am to 11 am
>P-16, Sector 18, Atta Market, Noida
Tel: 95120 4312623
Breakfast timings: 7 am to 11 am
>Karma Lake Land, Naurangpur, Manesar
Tel: 0124 325 4539
Breakfast timings: 7 am to 11 am
Mrs. Kaur’s Crepes & More
Crepes & More, located at Khan Market, lives up to its name: it is a place dedicated to crepes. The restaurant serves up a dizzying array of crepes and all-day breakfast options of omelettes and other breakfast staples and healthy options such as the Berry Bowl which is a bowl full of berries. Simplicity is taken to an art form here. Also on offer are sandwiches, soups, salads, smoothies and great service for non-breakfast meals. Average cost is Rs 600 per person.
>1st Flr, 66, Khan Market, Middle Lane
Tel: 011 4352 8300/9818900005
Timings: Daily 8 am to 10:30 pm
Sam’s Café
With a garden-like setting for its rooftop dining and a covered area, Sam’s Café is popular with backpackers for its typical Western breakfast fare and prices starting from Rs 200 for 2. The café also serves pizza, milkshakes, salads, falafel, lasagna and schnitzel.
>Vivek Hotel, 1534–50 Main Bazaar, Paharganj
Tel: 011 4154 1436.
Metro: New Delhi Railway Station
Timings: 8 am to 11 pm
Saravana Bhavan
The south Indian eatery, Saravana Bhavan, has mini tiffins for Rs 75 that include 5 mini idlis, a mini dosa, rawa khichdi, chutney and sambhar. You can regular-size these, of course. Other items on the menu include uttapams, vadais and pooris. Ghee pongal is also a musttry breakfast special made of generous helping of ghee, rice and moong dal.
>46 Janpath; P-15 Connaught Circus
Tel: 011 2331 7755
Timings: 8 am to 10 pm
Ten
Ten get high marks for their breakfast combos that include traditional Western fare and vegetarian cutlets and paranthas. The price just cannot be beat, starting at just Rs 75.
>10 International Guest House, Sansad Marg, Connaught Place
Tel: 011 2374 8026
Timings: 7 am to 10 am
Yellow Brick Road
This restaurant screams Americana from the name to the bright yellow interiors. Breakfast, starting at Rs 250, draws big crowds, probably because of the generous helping of pancakes, bacon, sausages and eggs and waffles.
> The Ambassador Hotel, Sujan Singh Park, Cornwallis Road
Tel: 011 6601 1825
Timings: Daily 24 hours
Good Takeaway / Budget Options for Breakfast in Old Delhi
Al Jawahar
>Opposite Gate No. 1, Jama Masjid
Tel: 011 2326 1341
Nearest Metro: Chawri Bazaar
Timings: Daily 7 am to midnight
Cost: Paya and nahari from Rs 40; and rotis from Rs 4
Café
>1575/80, Main Bazaar, Paharganj
Tel: 011 3255 4470
Timings: Daily from 7 am to 11 pm
Cost: Rs 50 for Spanish omelette; Rs 15 for coffee and many choices of freshly baked breads
Indian Coffee House
>Mohan Singh Place, Connaught Place, Delhi
Tel: 011 2334 2994
Timings: 9 am to 9 pm
Cost: Rs 7 for coffee; Rs 35 for non-veg dosa
Mohan Ram
>Shop 4, Tiraha Kinari Bazaar, Milwada
Nearest Metro: Chandni Chowk
Timings: Daily 8 am to 8 pm
Cost: Bedmis from Rs 10
Pandit Devi Dayal
>First shop on Paranthe Wali Gali
Metro: Chandni Chowk
Timings: Daily 9:30 am to 10 pm
Cost: Bedmis from Rs 10, aloo gobi and matar paranthas for Rs 8 to Rs 10
Triveni Tea Terrace
>Triveni Kala Sangam, 205 Tansen Marg
Tel: 011 3771 8833
Timings: Daily 10 am to 3 pm; 4 pm to 7 pm
Cost: Cheese toast from Rs 30 and paranthas from Rs 13
Brunch Options
All American Diner
(See extended review Eats, p.124.)
>India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road
Tel: 011 4122 0000; 011 4366 3162
Sunday brunch timings: 7 am to 11 pm
Cost: Rs 445 per person for a la carte menu items
Amigo
Hola Amigo! Mexican food is a great option for brunch especially if you’re not big on Western breakfast fare. The tacos, quesadillas (both veg and non-veg) at Amigo will have you saying otra vez (again). No kitchy fried ice cream or churros for dessert, but the ice cream roll cake is nice enough.
>3 Local Shopping C
entre, Masjid Moth, GK II
Tel: 011 2921 6220
Sunday brunch timings: 12:30 pm to 4 pm
Cost: Rs 750 per person plus tax for mocktails and kids rate; unlimited margaritas Rs 1,000 per person plus tax
Asia Kitchen
If you and the kids are in the mood for 5 courses of a set ‘oriental meal’, Asia Kitchen in Noida fits the bill. Unlimited drinks including Jacob’s Creek wine and beer—that’s not for the kids though!
>H-1A/33 Sector 63, Noida
Tel: 0120 421 8555
Sunday brunch timings: 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Cost: Rs 395 per person plus tax including unlimited wine and beer; kids Rs 325 plus tax
Café G
While the adults are chomping down on the kebabs, Brazilian grills, international and Asian cuisines at Café G, the kids will feel the brunch was their idea because of the children’s corner. Replete with a children’s buffet, movies, clowns and games, this brunch can easily stretch into a 3- or 4-hour affair.
>Crowne Plaza Today Gurgaon
Tel: 95124 453 4300
Sunday brunch timings: Noon to 4 pm
Cost: Rs 2,450 plus tax per person, including alcohol; children 5 and under free; children 6 to 12 Rs 1,250 plus tax
Café Uno
Café Uno’s menu changes weekly so choices are endless if you’re a frequent diner. With 12 live cooking stations and nearly 100 dishes on offer, make a plan to get there when the brunch begins and to be the last people leaving 3 hours later. There’s even a chaat station. A separate section for the kids lets them make pizzas and cookies alongside the chefs. They even get to wear little aprons and hats. Adults can drink an unlimited amount of champagne and choose from a fine selection of wines, too.
>Shangri-La Hotel 19 Ashok Road
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