Delhi’s New Belly

Lebanese, Korean, Japanese, Burmese—Delhi is now home to an enviable spread of international cuisine. In the midst of it all, The Potbelly is a refreshing change. Offering authentic cuisine from Bihar, this delightful eatery, perched on the fourth floor, overlooks the bustle of Shahpur Jat.

The menu might remind you of food you can make at home, but dig into the fare and you know it’s not that simple. Start off with the Pakora Basket (Rs 130) that comes with crispy fried pieces of aubergine and potato, with the pakoras coated lightly with til. The scrumptious Keema and Aloo Chops (Rs 220) again are deceptively simple, as the chefs manage to add that little extra zing. Try the traditional Litti Chokha (Rs 210)—a typical Bihari vegetarian dish that can be eaten as a starter or as the main course. Parts of the menu read like it has borrowed dishes from other states, such as the Pudina Chicken (Rs 270), which is essentially a biriyani, and the Sarson Machhli (Rs 290), strongly recalling the Bengali version.

Almost a year old, The Potbelly has its tables full with foreigners wanting a taste of food as it is cooked in Indian homes. You can tell that most of the cooking is done is ghee and mustard oil, but it does not leave a greasy aftertaste. It feels light and inviting.

The dessert section, though, can be given a miss. The menu changes daily, and we got a choice between egg halwa and makhaana kheer. The kheer (Rs 80) was soggy and too sweet—not quite the ending one would have hoped for to such a flavourful meal.