5 Things to Look Forward To At Ditas Restaurant

Who says elegance and fun are mutually exclusive? The sleek gold and blue furniture coupled with the fluorescent "I like where this is going" sign in Ditas restobar beg to differ. 

As we walked down the entrance of Ambawatta complex softly lit in yellow lights, gawking at the grand Manish Malhotra and Anita Dongre storefronts on either sides, the visually-pleasing outdoor seating of Ditas came into view. We quickly scooted on inside and sat ourselves at the heart of the indoor setting. Even before we got to the food or service, we found a couple of reasons to come back for a second visit. The gastronomical experience only added to the list. Here are 5 reasons Ditas restobar must be on your culinary bucket list.

The Ambience and Design

Food is only a part of the experience for which one leaves the comfort of their houses to go to a restaurant. The sharp Moroccan flooring and royal blue seating set on strong golden frames are almost as unforgettable as the food itself. The ambience carries its charm as day shifts to night. The warm-lit interiors and exteriors boast a classy appearance married with light elements such as neon signs, a canopy of creepers dangling with fruit and potted plants. Large french windows allow for a comfortable view of the outdoors and streaming sunlight in the day. Overall, the ambience brings life to a fun night out.

The Service

There is a lot one may like at Ditas. However, nothing compares to the service. Friendly and helpful, smiling servers are at your heels to accommodate your preferences. We were greeted kindly, suggested delicious dishes and also heard when we had a suggestion or a request. What we personally enjoyed was that they were well-versed with the menu and could help you out with extra information in case you were unsure of what the dish entails. Additionally, there were no hangry moments on our table as the food kept pouring in well in time. Our server, Rajeev Pandey, did not leave us second-guessing our choices and was ready with a genuine smile whenever we needed assistance.

The Food, Of Course

No amount of perfectly set ambience and service will be remembered at the end of the night if the food is terrible at a restaurant. Well, you have nothing to worry at Ditas. The European restobar serves finger-licking food at a modest price. As a hard-core meat lover, I still cannot get the divine jackfruit tacos out of my memory. A blend of delicious flavours were served to us as we tried the cheesy pulled garlic bread, the harissa chicken, prawn tempura, chicken popcorn, and the apple plum salad, among many other dishes. We definitely suggest you try some of the above-mentioned dishes when you get the chance. The food is a delicious journey through Europe and its flavours. With well over 50 dishes, choice is not an issue here. In our experience, the starters definitely are the stars of the show. The mains are still delicious, but not all dishes register as strongly in your memory.

The Drinks

It would be a tragedy if a restobar did not serve you some interesting drinks. We started with a Ditas old-fashioned and a Clover's club. The old fashioned is certainly for those who can handle the bite of the whiskey, but the clover's club would suit everybody's taste. We also tried some experimental drinks such as the Incognito. Wrapped in smoke, this whiskey drink hits right on the nail with its exotic blend. If you prefer sparkling wine, French 75 is the way to go. The drinks are mixed well but it's a hit or miss when it comes to the bitterness you can handle. While most drinks are suitable for all palates, there may be some you may want to avoid if you dislike strong alcoholic content. However, as they say, one person's too much is another person's just right.

The Outdoor Area

It is not tough to figure out that the restaurant has been planned strategically with a bit of heart and a lot of style. As we pass through the outdoor seating, we realise my blunder for skipping the chance to rest under the beautiful umbrella of greens. Talking to the owner- who lends part of her name to the restaurant- Udita Khaitan, we found out that they plan out little details of the porch for the customers' amusement. "We might change the embellishment on the canopy according to the season. We might get lemons to suit the season." The outdoors also overlook the serene Ambawatta complex that reminds you of traversing in the tiny lanes of a European country.

The next time you have a night to spare and cannot decide on a venue, you now have one to consider.

Where: Ground Floor, Ambawatta One, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi

Pocket Pinch: INR 2,500 for two

Contact: +91 7428850743