Why Delhi House Café is just our cup of chai
| 9th October 2020
VIVA loves chai, forget pumpkin lattes and head down to the Delhi House Café the latest addition to the Corn Exchange and get a pot, ‘cut’ perfectly – where its poured from a height to max out flavours – and just let the warm comfort of this gorgeous spice brew invigorate you.
It’s not the only thing we loved about this stunning new eatery which fuses Manc grit with Indian delicacies and is the first in the UK.
It looks fabulous as the owners have a second well established line of fabrics, supplying big retailers and working with the rag trade based here which is how the fusion came about and is shown with the beautiful patterns that decorate the restaurant.
It boasts a ground floor atrium, first floor restaurant, bar and kitchen all velvets, satin, ceramics and iconic antiques, including a working phone that would fox most post boomers to an upstairs that includes a balcony with draped romantic booths, perfect for date night.
The food too is equal the décor’s attention to detail with everything fresh, fresh, fresh and authentic.
Nibbles (starting from under a fiver) included the chaats which are stuffed with spicy chickpeas and potato, doughy delights you down like shots to a frankly beautiful avocado and potato vegan dish which we adored. In fact, these would do as starters so I’m not sure whether we got the wrong end of the stick when we ordered this.
As befits its heritage almost half the menu is vegetarian or vegan which is great and for meat lovers there is a tandoori section, which we enjoyed too with giant tandoori paneer that was cheese heaven as one of our starters (from £6.95)
Stand outs, and there were many, were the Goan prawn curry, you must try this dish, gorgeous and coconutty with beautifully plump perfectly cooked prawns. VIVA nearly came to blows sharing this.
Mains come with a choice of rice or naan and prices start from £6.95. Our other main of dal was wonderful too as were the sides. There’s a great express menu from £13.95 served within 20 minutes.
We were too stuffed for dessert (starting from £3.95), but they look good. That’s when we opted for Chai, which is now VIVA’s new favourite thing (with the prawns).
Frankly, this was great food and unbelievably good for the price, so head down there.
