Venue: Hog Market, Rajendra Place
Date: 8 January, 2016

As food reviewers, we often have this ‘been there, done it’ feeling. While we had heard about this new restaurant Imly, we were not over excited about this place. When we went there for a friend’s job appraisal treat, we had absolutely no expectations. This augured well for us. It was a pleasant surprise that the premise looks like a train bogey and the interior is done up as a dining car of a luxury train.

In fact, monitors that simulate the windows of a running train, playing videos of the picturesque landscapes that are covered by Indian Railways, were placed on the wall beside each table. There were also railways related trivia running on the screen.

We were fascinated by the details – the vessels that they used had customised signs of weathering (peeled coating on aluminium tray or stains printed on plates)!

The food was in sync with the railway concept and every item on the menu had some twist. For example Pune Special Sandwich had a stuffing of Cheese and Sweet Potatoes with a sprinkle of sev on top. The Imlycious Guava Merry Mocktail was their take on Virgin Mary, with tomato juice exchanged for guava nectar. The other cocktail ABC Story and Kurkure Palak ki Chat were also tasty and somehow stood apart from similar dishes we have had earlier. For dessert we had Rasmalai Tiramisu. Served in a narrow bottom chai glass, this was a fusion dish that we might order again.

The other dessert Boondi Pack Rabri was a tad disappointing. It looked and tasted like a home experiment by kids – some broken Boondi Laddoo soaked in Rabri. Too sinful and too sweet for our liking.

The dish that really frustrated us was the Veg Kebab Platter. It took them eternity to serve this item. We had to remind them a couple of times and when they served it, it was almost cold. Also like other items this had no twist or Imly specialty. Sadly, while the other items were moderately priced, this dish was way more expensive and mediocre in taste.

A tangy surprise in the end, the bill was presented with Imli candy in a box.

Nonetheless, our overall experience was memorable and we say it is worth chugging on this food journey with family or friends. Incidentally notwithstanding the name Imly, that translates to “tamarind”, this is not a South Indian joint. Also, did we mention, this a totally vegetarian place and could be a welcome option for those who are bored of Haldirams and Bikaners and Sarvanna Bhavans.