Some restaurants win you over with a particular dish – a whole mouthwatering level above what you’re used to – making you salivate to return. In others it’s the service or the great value for money. But at Imperial Spice it’s the dark and cosy ambiance that captures you in its quiet and seductive embrace, allowing you to savour its delicious food in a gloriously peaceful atmosphere.
- The Ambiance
Dark venues can be a problem. Taking a walk through New Delhi’s Connaught Place you will see far too many bars and eateries to choose from. Many are overpriced, some are too dark and dingy. Imperial Spice however, while being one of the most shadowy restaurants I have ever dined in, creates a blissful ambiance. Each table is lit by a decorative lamp and the bar is utterly resplendent, bringing a beautiful radiance to the darkness and ensuring you never feel put out by the shadows. On my second visit to Imperial Spice the place was almost packed and there was a significant amount of noise. Despite this, I was still able to have a thorough conversation with my father on the phone. Even at its busiest times, the atmosphere at Imperial Spice is always under control, never becoming grotesque or unacceptable – which is imperative when it comes to fine-dining. Imperial Spice is not a cheap restaurant, but there are plenty of restaurants in the vicinity just as expensive – or even more so – that couldn’t hope to have the calming and controlled cosy ambiance possessed by Imperial Spice.
So, if at the end of your day of sightseeing in India’s capital you find yourself drawn to the gravitational sphere of Connaught Place, know that you will be safe in the warm and radiant embrace of Imperial Spice.
Imperial Spice makes a promise at the beginning of its menu. A promise to deliver more than just taste. It holds that the five senses are what make a good fine dining experience what it is: Taste, smell, sight, hear and touch. Yes, I suppose running my hands over a slice of tandoori roti after gently lifting up the napkin covering the hot slab of flat bread is an exquisite experience, just as it is to bring my wine glass to my lips, the spice of a prawn curry still mincing about my tongue. Imperial spice does indeed make good on this promise, especially as they offer wine pairings with certain dishes.
- Drinks at Imperial Spice
Another thing which really makes Imperial Spice stand out against the other bars and restaurants of Connaught Place New Delhi, is that it serves more than one white and one red by the glass. In other countries, perhaps in other Indian cities or other places in Delhi this wouldn’t be anything to brag about, but shockingly in Connaught Place this is a huge bonus because most places have a poor selection of wine and an even poorer selection of wine to order by the glass. Simply how is a solo wine drinker to cope if he or she goes to a nice restaurant and can only choose between the most boring and common house wines by the glass, or by getting filthily drunk on their exquisite favourite? Imperial Spice makes balance possible and as a passionate wine drinker I greatly appreciate their wine menu.
With my first visit, I ordered an Indian Shiraz with my mutton Rogan Josh which was very good and I appreciated having the option to choose. With the prawn curry on my second visit, I obviously wanted a white, and unfortunately, they only have two different whites by the glass. I went for the York over the Sula from Nashik as I’d tried that Indian Chenin Blanc before and thought it was just okay. Both wines I had at Imperial spice were decent.
Less appreciable is the labelling of the Beer menu when it describes a 330ml bottle of lager as a pint. However, this is not an Imperial Spice thing, all restaurants and bars in India are like this for some reason. 330ml is not a pint, guys! Tourists new to India be warned. If the menu says it’s a pint, it almost NEVER is. With respect to Imperial Spice, at least they make it clear what they’re giving you for a “pint.” Other places won’t be so transparent.
But does Imperial Spice make good on the other promise in its menu, that it will make food become a “heartful experience”?
- The Food at Imperial Spice
The menu has a simplistic pricing system, with one set price for all dals, one set price for all fish curries, one for all egg curries, chicken and mutton etc. With dal being the cheapest, followed by vegetable mains, then the egg-based dishes, then chicken, mutton, fish, prawn and finally salmon as the most expensive – clearly a cut above the regular fish. It’s all easy to follow and makes sense.
On my first visit to Imperial Spice, I ordered the mutton Rogan Josh – a great Kashmiri dish. Compared to your average restaurant in India, it isn’t cheap – nor is the rice – but it is good quality food and they will make it as spicy as your preference demands. On my second visit to Imperials Spice, I had the Prawn Curry. It was tastefully spicy and had large chunky king prawns. So you can rest assured, Imperial Spice does not skimp on the shrimp. Though considering the gravy Is 999 rupees on its own – basically ten British pounds, you should only expect the best.
If you want to be outrageous you can order a starter, though they’re almost as expensive as the mains and given the portion size of the mains, plus the humbling tray of papad, onions and dips you’ll be presented with as you sit down, the starters really are unnecessary, unless you have a bigger stomach than me and that is very unlikely (just saying). Though, I shouldn’t just gloss over the starters just because I never endeavored to try them. The menu has a veritable array which includes Hyderabadi Paneer Tikka and Tandoori Mushrooms for veg-only eaters, and Lamb Gilafi Seekh skewers and Tawa Mutton chops for those lusting for a non-veg option. Come to think of it, most of the starters on the menu at Imperial Spice would probably make for great sharers – and if you’re out with friends why not upgrade your fine-dining dinner to a fine-dining banquet?
On the subject of sharers, Imperial Spice also offer platters starting at 1199 rupees for the Indian selection as well as some cheaper Lebanese options. So you really have a lot of choices here when it comes to constructing your meal – especially if you’re in a group.
Imperial Spice also does Chinese cuisine which I’m sure is superb, though when it holds such a veritable array of Indian dishes from all over the subcontinent, like Patiala Sahi Macchi from Punjab and rich Rogan-E-Nishad from the city of Nawabs, I certainly wouldn’t ever be tempted by its Chinese selection.
- Service at Imperial Spice
The waiters are decent and the head waiter – I think he may even be the manager of the place is very friendly.
- Overall thoughts about Imperial Spice
Imperial Spice is a restaurant where you may rest assured of a great fine dining experience, without spending an extortionate amount of money. I especially recommend it if you are fond of wine or if you’re in a large group, due to the range of food and drink on offer. Overall highlight is the ambiance.
Service 8/10
Food 8/10
Ambiance 9.5/10
Check out the MENU for Imperial Spice on their website HERE
Imperial Spice is located at M Block, 89/90 Connaught Cir, Shankar Market, Block M Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi, 110001, India
