Bowlful of Soul Please!
Spoonful Of Soul, DLF Phase 3, Gurgaon
There is always an apprehension when we try out new places. Since the years have been kind to our palates, we hope and pray there will something we like. That’s the mindset I had when I walked into Spoonful of Soul, tucked into a nook of Gurgaon that’s becoming a bit of a food conglomerate, it had promise for sure. To begin with, the elevator ride up is straight out of Bill & Ted’s movie series (you have to be of a certain generation to get that analogy) and you have to experience the thrill to know what I mean. And then we walked into what I like to call, pristine whiteness. The restaurant is beautifully balanced, just the right number of tables, discreet staff, minimalist decor and an avant-garde lamp in the foyer. I loved the details – no tables by the cold counter, a teensy balcony for a smoke and neat little bar tucked to the side.
The menu was nice and meaty both in terms of variety and yes, meats! In the beginning it seemed very ambitious for a diner like this but then we ate! We started with the gobsmacking Prawn and Apple Salad in a mustard dressing (350) – with every bite there was the sweetness from the apple, the salt from the seafood and the amazing zing of black mustard seeds – very ambitious, very appetizing. The plating was lovely too, a tower of apple slices, peppered with prawn bits and whole prawns finished with speckled dressing – would love this with green apples too. The Caesar Salad (275), which is my own personal test, was bang on as well. Among the starters, we didn’t have a single complaint; we ate in complete silence. Do not miss the Devil on Stilts (bacon wrapped prawns, 395), Spicy Oriental Prawns (lovely coating, nice touch of burnt onions, cross between chili garlic and Teriyaki, 395), Buffalo Wings (new introduction and voila – they’re boneless and yum) and the best of all, the Awesome Foursome (beautifully done skewers of chicken and fish, served with Baba Ghanoush, though they need to change the dipping sauce, 750)!
For the main course I was very keen to sample the Saltimbocca (495), I make the Spanish version with veal, when I can find it. The stuffed rolls usually have a layer of ham and layer of spinach. The version we had at Bowlful of Soul, was done with chicken but great nonetheless; all the layers had distinct flavours and were visually appealing too. Their version of a kickass huge burger was the Lamburgini (425); it was juicy and lamby, tough to eat both in sheer size and portion. The food here is actually very unique and the dishes seemed handpicked for the discerning.
The desserts deserve a special mention. The house made Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich called the Sweet Zebra (250) is deadly good and the Roulade we had was my best ever – perfect airy sponge and such a lovely crunch on the top, filled with fruit and cream, it really made the meal, perfect!
All in all a must-try for the hungry souls of this city. The service is old school and impeccable, like the white interiors, this experience is likely to be fresh and rejuvenating. I am going back to try the chargrilled snapper and the Thukpa, loads of promise there!
Aubergine Au Gratin