Worth its SALTZ
European, North Indian, Iranian
An extremely pleasant blend between an informal mall restaurant and a well-appointed fine-dining space
An extensive western section, a patisserie counter just outside, a small Indian section – there really is something for everybody here
The one restaurant in this mall to bring in a touch of class. Mistral is classy even in its informal areas. It caters to all tastes, whether you want a chicken curry and roti in the fixed meal of the day option, or a foie gras with apricot chutney. Its bar menu is extensive, especially in the beer section, where you can get Tsing Tao beer from China – a comparative rarity here. Rather than being one immense hall,Mistral is broken up into sections, so that you can have five or six different experiences every time you visit. And if you are walking about in the mall and don’t want to sit down at all, the patisserie counter offers savouries and elegant pastries (including the newly fashionable éclairs in several flavours) at the entrance to the PVR complex.
The menu (as long as your arm) is divided into salads (great) appetizers (also very good), burgers (didn’t try: wasn’t tempted), pizzas (very good), pastas (impressive menu; didn’t try), grills (needs more work), desserts (okay). The Indian section has two Iranian kebabs and a few regular North Indian kebabs. They are probably there because of the ‘average customer’!
Do try the salads – they are imaginative and made with a rare sensibility. Our quinoa salad (Rs 275), for instance, had parsley and finely diced bell peppers and green beans for a juicy bite, while the dressing was served separately. The same was the case for mixed bean salad (Rs 225) – a flavourful, colourful blend of rajma, chana, green beans and butter beans with a lime dressing served separately. There’s a Gallic force at work here (Mistral is the wind that blows across Provence in early summer) in the chicken liver pate (Rs 395) that is served, charmingly, in a glass jar and the foie gras (Rs 695) which is paired brilliantly with apricot chutney.
You don’t have to break the bank to eat at Mistral. If you are on a really tight budget, one Margherita pizza costs Rs 345 and all the pizzas are delicious.
Plus and minus: In the slightly grand settings, you can have an evening out on a budget. With such a long menu plus a whole section of burgers and grills, they don’t serve tenderloin.
Food 3.50
Service 3.00
Décor 4.00
3rd floor, Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj
Tel: 011-40870750/1
Open from 11 am to 12.30 am
Alcohol served; credit cards accepted
Meal for two: Rs 2,500
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