Date: 20th Jan 2018
Venue: Lodhi Colony

We have been eyeing this place for a while. Guppy looks cool from outside but we didn’t venture in since it looks crowded all the time. Therefore a recent invite from Guppy for the latest trend in food – Japanese Poke bar – was a divine indication that it was time we reviewed this place. Saturday afternoon suited us for this exercise, the late lunch thingy keeps us fueled up for weekend evening activities.

The place is not very big, somewhat like a parlor. But the pastel pinks and green paint on the brick wall with the Japanese Manga fashion prints on them made this place an abode of contrast – quite like Japan. There is not a lot of sitting here and the tables are close. Any lack of privacy was made up by the friendly chat with the sociably designer diner on the next table.

A menu was already curated for us and that saved time for our hungry stomachs. The two cocktails that we ordered – Gin-Za (orange + wasabi + wine) and Santiago San (coconut water+pineapple juice+alcohol) were most unusual. Specially the second drink – it was mildly sweet, hint of tang and most refreshing.

Poke bowls are their signature items. These are like deconstructed sushis and one has a host of combinations to choose from. The first one we had tofu and quinoa with vegetables. This was wholesome but lacked flavour. The other one – tuna bowl with black rice is a must have. This dish, for one, looked great. Plus the crunch of black rice went very well with the softness of tuna chunks and the flavour of the seasoning and sauces they added.

Talking about must-haves, we loved the pork belly from starters. Caramelised but not too sweet and roasted to perfection, the pieces were very melt in the mouth.

We tried three of their desserts – apple and blueberry pie, crepe with fresh fruit, blueberry extract, flambéd with wine sauce on the table and red velvet. The red velvet was deadly tasty – solid and yet soft, the butter in the icing was not overpowering. We would rate the flambéd crepes with custard filing next. The burnt wine sauce with the custard in the crepe and fresh fruits (chopped straberries, dragon fruit etc.) made for an interesting fusion on the the palate. The apple pie was also just right.

To sum it up – this was a great experience – filling and yet not killing. Just the way we like. If one’s palate also asks for spicy food – then may be it’s not for you. But if there is any little bit of scope for experimenting on something that is filling yet refreshing and healthy, try the Poke bar at Guppy.