Rating:

Peninsular Kitchen

Once my cousin had told me about Peninsular Kitchen. So I and my husband decided to go. Initially somehow I thought it would be like a normal south Indian restaurant in Delhi but then upon reading its menu, I realized, its a restaurant offering the authentic cuisine that one will actually get down south and in coastal regions. When few years back I had gone to Bangalore, I realized there is so much to South Indian cuisine apart from just dosa , sambhar. Similar situation happened when I travelled to Kerala. In both the trips, I had actually experienced South Indian food.

Entrance of Peninsular Kitchen

In Delhi again until I started with Viharin.com, south Indian food to me was still Dosa Sambhar, vada, uttapam etc and limited only to few famous restaurants.

As we entered the Ambiance Mall, level 3, Peninsular Kitchen stood bold and strong at a very prime location surrounded with Republic Day celebrations. At the entrance, it was a very nice and comfortable seating arrangement with designs of boats and sea waves depicting coastal regions in India.  Furniture, walls and floor were very nicely jelling with each other to create a perfect ambiance for a nice dining experience. Soothing music was playing at the background. Light brown colour furniture added to the overall ambiance.

Ambiance

Seating

As we seated, we were greeted by owners, very lovely hosts Ms. Anshu and Mr. Gaurav Goel who told us how while living in Mumbai, they had got fascinated with coastal and South Indian cuisine. Gaurav wanted to fulfill his dream to open a restaurant since his Hotel Management days. Anshu being from HR background combined with her culinary and creative skills joined hands with Gaurav to realize their dream in Delhi. Food totally inspired by South Indian and Coastal regions. In a way since they tried to touch cuisine of Peninsular region, hence the name Peninsular Kitchen.

Food at Peninsular Kitchen

As part of a welcome drink, we were offered salted buttermilk which was served in traditional Indian ceramic pots. I loved those traditional pots and the salted buttermilk. Pots specially took me to the historical era of ‘khullars’ in which ancient India used to have their drinks.Then we were served with Sol Kadi. It was spicy but good. The rai and curry leaves tadka in it made it even more delicious with a crunch.

Chutneys and salted buttermilk with chips

In a while we ordered Kozhi Ularthiyathu (Stir fried chicken), Tala Hua Gosht (slow fried mutton), Chicken Chettinad and Fried Fish Koliwada (Kerala Fish fry). I loved Kozhi Ularthiyathu. It was delicious and nicely cooked. Chicken pieces melted in my mouth. This is a Kerala dish, pan cooked chicken with a lot of Masala, shallouts and curry leaves . A must try.

Kozhi Ularthiyathu (Stir fried chicken)

Gala Hua Gosht- Mutton nuggets marinated in Hyderabadi spices and dry fried was a good dish as well.

Tala Hua Gosht (Slow fried mutton)

Chicken Chettinad had a lot of spices like black pepper, cardamom. Chicken was roasted with whole spices and tempered with desi ghee. It was soft and tender and I could actually savour spices flavour.

Chicken Chettinad

I liked Fried Fish Koliwada (Kerala fish fry). This is Kerala’s traditional dish which is marinated with black pepper, red chillies and garlic. It is shallow fried and served with mint chutney. It was bland and soft and crisply done.

Fried Fish Koliwada (Kerala Fish fry)

Then it was the turn of lemon rice. I loved every bite of it along with its curries. It was very nicely done. Clearly showed the quality and hygiene factor considered in its preparation.

Lemon Rice

Last but not the least, appam with vegetables stew was an awesome combination. As I had it , my stomach got a relief as if it wanted more. This combination was irresistible.

Appam

While we were having all this, simultaneously, we sipped Guava burst and Sunny beach drinks. Guava burst was our all time favourite. The restaurant also serves famous dishes from Goa and other coastal regions.

Guava Burst and Southy Peach Punch Photo credits- Peninsular Kitchen

Guava burst and Southy Peach punch

Coconut Mojito and Peninsular sunset

In the end we had pysum which is a combination of rice and jaggery. My husband loved it.

Pysum

Then it was turn of coffee in Indian style. I liked the cutlery in which food was served plus coffee was served in a steel glass and bowl which I liked again.

Filter Coffee

So, I was happy to see the authentic South Indian and coastal food. It is important to know about culinary delights of India which sometimes I feel are fading. Such types of restaurants help revive those delights. Also, having some drinks in old Indian style made me even happier.

Service at Peninsular Kitchen

Staff was highly courteous and knowledgeable. They served promptly and pre empted our needs from far.

Overall, a great dining experience. Passion of owners for Peninsular Cuisine was clearly visible in flavours and presentation of dishes. It was apparent the amount of hard and smart work involved in the final presentation of Peninsular Kitchen. Would recommend Peninsular Kitchen to everyone.

Address

Peninsular Kitchen

Level 3, Ambiance Mall,

Vasant Kunj,

New Delhi

Nidhi KM

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