COURTING JAPAN TRIPLE 8

It is tucked away on the first floor of Ansal Plaza in south Delhi and the interiors are plush and bar-like, with deep maroons, velvet seating you can sink into, and a playlist that calls for a party. Triple 8 draws on the Asian lucky number 8 and is spread across two floors with a kitted out private dining room on the top floor adding to its space wealth.

Like most other bar spaces that serve food, one imagines that the emphasis will be on the signature drinks and small eats but the food is the real hero at Triple 8. Chef Hiroshi Isomura’s Japanese menu, created in collaboration with Chef Rana who helms operations here, is second to none in the city and the highest quality ingredients have been handpicked to create a memorable meal. Begin your meal with the sushi rolls which are drop dead gorgeous in both appearance and flavour and tick all the right sushi boxes. The dim sums are easy picks as the fine ingredients complement each other in some real exciting eats. For example, the edamame and Himalayan morel dumplings combine classic Asian flavours with local ingredients and in this case it is a winning combination. Others like the pork and leek dim sums are also palate pleasers.

Between yakitoris (skewers) that are inventive and offer a range of options like the charred green chilli yakitori, goat cheese, tofu, cashewnuts which is a delicious option for vegetarians, wok-tossed sides, Asian salads and mains like the double cooked Belgian pork belly, the menu displays the restaurant’s finesse in dishing up authentic plates. End your meal with the custard bun yuzu cream or the matcha green tea mascarpone tart with a rambutan lemongrass compote.

Triple 8 is going to give Japanese diners stiff competition as it combines expertise with vision to launch a menu that’s worth its weight in sushi and sashimi. Pure gold.

PRICE `3,000 (taxes extra) AT First Floor, Ansal Plaza TEL 8448038886