We had friends visiting from Kolkata and we wanted to show off our arty side too even in food.

In the last few years, thousands of restaurants of various designations have sprouted in Delhi NCR yet Triveni Terrace Cafe is one place that has no parallel. Located inside Triveni Kala Sangam opposite FICCI Auditorium, it is part of the group that runs Lota and Roots. Triveni Kala Sangam is an art centre (dance, music, visual art, galleries, etc.). Hence the café in here is thronged by artists, actors, theatre people, etc.  We decided to bring our friends here.

Before we move to food, we must mention the true unique setting. It is mostly part of a portico facing a lawn. There’s a lot of greenery that is surrounding and visible from the tables. No harsh lights, no noisy ACs, this place is heaven for frenzied nerves.

Apple Pakoras

Steamed Chicken Kebabs

Beetroot Halwa

Doodhi ki muthiya & Sattu

Good old tea and pakoras

Ice Tea

Dal aur seethafal kebab

We tried a host of dishes here.  All of these had some uniqueness. For example,  Dhoodhi ki Muthiya. It is hard to believe that they made such a fancy dish out of low key lauki. In pakoras, apart from the regular aloo–gobi varieties, they had fritters made of apple slices that were also yum. Further if you try their beetroot halwa you may wish to abandon gajar ka halwa for life. We also had steamed chicken kebabs that were subtle in taste and screamed health. The sitaphal and dal ka shami kebab was also a new combination of vegetarian kebabs that we had here.

All the items were novel but sans the mayonnaise lines, nitrogen smoke, foam garnish, or currently popular molecular gastronomic gimmicks that are imposed on food in the name of uniqueness.

We also had their vegetable pakoras, spiced carrot cake, and masala chai and they fare well in regular dishes too.

The food, the ambiance, the hospitality – every element is a reason to come to this place. It is also interesting to find a debut actor interviewing for his/her first role at the next table.  We would have come here more often, but their closing time (last order is at 7:30 pm) and that they are closed on Sundays get in the way. The café has been in business for 70 – 80 years.  So if you want to have a nice and peaceful meal at a place of art and yore,  Triveni Terrace Café is the place.