[Rating:3/5]
All foodies who love Italian food and enjoy great ambience while they dine must make a trip to Diva – Ritu Dalmia’s restaurant in M Block market GK II. I did, and found it every bit worth the experience!
On entering the restaurant you’ll find a dimly lit, slightly cramped dining area with about 25 covers and tables a bit cluttered with glass goblets, sea salt, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and cutlery. The décor is minimalist with woven leather chairs completing the scene. They have this huge fireplace at the end of the room, which was being used to roast bell peppers. I did like that – the fire was actually functional and not just an empty décor statement. It also suffused the dining room with a lovely amber glow.
The very extensive, well categorised and elaborate wine menu made a perfect companion to the food that was to follow. I’m not much of a wine person, but do like the Sauvignon Blanc, which was the grape for the evening.
The traditional bread basked came with three types of bread (focaccia, hard roll slices and a flat, toasted bread made of pizza dough) and was served with a mixing bowl of tomatoes, red chili peppers, capers, sea salt, olive oil and a touch of balsamic vinegar – interesting flavors and probably healthier than butter.
To begin with I ordered a Tris di pesce affumicato. This was a tasting platter of smoked fish – three wafer thin slices of Sword Fish, Cod and Tuna – citrus marinated, flavored with green peppercorns and served with a tomato basil sorbet. The slices gave new meaning to the term ‘wafer thin’ – Were Stuart Little skating across my plate, he would barely have felt the bump where the plate ended and the fish began. The fish by themselves tasted very good and were full of flavor. The tomato basil sorbet added a new dimension to the flavors on the plate. I’ll admit this was the first time I’ve eaten a cold, semi-frozen, savory sorbet. It exposed new facets of what was on the plate as well as a whole new range of sensations when you actually eat the fish and sorbet together – traces of the ocean, the sweet-savory chill of the sorbet, the smoky-citrus hint from the fish – overwhelming!
The second course was a Tagliata di controfiletto – balsamic glazed sliced tenderloin, grilled on a wood fire, sprinkled with lemon infused olive oil and finished with some mushroom and pecorino shavings. Pecorino is a hard cheese made from sheep’s milk. Made primarily for grating, it could be called a cousin to the Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan) as both are most often used on pasta dishes. The steak was served with a portion of Arugula or Rocket leaves, which lent a lovely peppery flavor to the meat. I asked for a medium-rare steak and enjoyed every bite. The meat was tender and done just right with the flavors of the glaze, Pecorino and Rocket combining to deliver an exquisite crunchy yet meaty texture.
For the third course, the Orata in padella con carciofi romani e mostarda di frutta seemed perfect. I mean, how can anyone resist a dish that’s described as Icelandic Halibut, pan grilled, flavored with mustard fruit and served with grilled artichoke heart and a cherry tomato salad? Chef seems to like Rocket, as the cherry tomatoes were accompanied by a nice, green bunch of Rocket leaves. Suits me fine really! The halibut was tender and quite delicious! Having said that, a little more time spent in the marinade would have been nice.
Having eaten and drunk my way through very fine meal, it was time for dessert. Did I mention the place was nearly empty when I entered? I couldn’t help but wonder why the place was so sparsely populated on a weekend. I needn’t have bothered, as all the tables were rapidly occupied a few minutes after ordering. Interestingly, many diners found people they knew and the sounds of people chatting, hugging and otherwise interacting provided a nice touch to an already warm ambience. The waiter suggested a chocolate soufflé midway, informing us that it takes 20 minutes to prepare. Quite thoughtful of him, however, the Panna Cotta won in the end. It was the melt-in-the-mouth Italian classic, served with biscotti and flavored with burnt orange rind; a suitable end to a delightful meal.
The portions could have been just a wee bit larger though. Many of us will raid the fridge for an ‘after dinner snack’. I also found the service just a bit snooty, without the basis for it, if you know what I mean. Perhaps ‘pretentious’ could also be used here.
Most places try hard to strike a balance between good food, maintaining a suitable atmosphere and delivering high service standards… and fail. Not so here. Diva seems to have found the notch somewhere in between. It effortlessly delivers an enchanting experience on all fronts. If you like good food and appreciate great service, I’d recommend it any day!
- Sid
The swordfish, cod and tuna sound delightful.
You’ve won my “heavy metal giveaway”! If you email me your address and your choice of brooch I’ll get it in the post this week. Well done! (my email address is on my blog)
Gina x
That sounds delightful. Definitely a place worth the visit!
The food at Diva is not Italian…it is I talian if you know what I mean. The wines are overpriced and the food is a joke. If you want good italian food, eat in Rome for all around, or in Tuscany for more meat and game oriented dishes. Try the Amalfi Coast for great seafood or go to Naples for glorious pizza.
If you want good Italian food in Delhi, go to one of two places: the Hyatt or go to AD Sngh’s place where the chef is actually Italian (Giuliano Tassinari).
Siddhartha I love your new photograph! Very handsome indeed!
The food at Diva is great! and it is very much authentic italian food. They use the best ingredients and keep the flavours subtle. Ritu Dalmia has got years of experience and I dont think her not being Italian makes any difference! thats just unfair! Oh and wines are expensive! everywhere! in fact Diva actually has much lower rates for the same wines elsewhere. There is also quite a range of wines; from reasonable indian ones to top quality french and italian wines.. Definitely the best italian food in delhi!
That sounds like a place that I’d enjoy eating at.
BTW, the post from Gina about ‘heavy metal giveaway’ was meant for me. I entered a competition on her blog – and won!! Sorry that you were confused.
@Toni! Aah, ok: Cool, what did you win?
A hand made brooch. It’s very pretty, if you go to Gina’s blog you’ll see it.
Was in the mood for fine dining last night, so us 4 friends decided on Diva.
Very below average experience.
Ordered ‘Calzoni Fritti’ which is (as per the menu) Crispy half moon parcels of aged black pepper pecorino, provolone, mortadella and thyme; and a pasta to start off with. The pasta was very very forgettable… very bland-ish – and not ‘authentic italian bland as in subtly flavoured’ but no flavour at all! extremely…..random dish….
The calzoni fritti was a laugh alright. 4 of us…. and the dish had only THREE of the so called “crispy” parcels which took up 1/4th of the dish they were presented in… after staring at that silently (and for an embarassingly long period of time), one of us decided that considering i was part of the only couple at the table, me and the hubby should split one of those (1 bite sized morsel of the very NON crispy parcel to each of us). and the dish costs 600 Rs.! We do expect the charges to be that high, but at the same time would expect that one appetizer would be enough to atleast go around the table once. Also, we understand that this concept probably works in restaurants abroad where appetizer portions are made to the size of one individual serving, but then here you’re catering to Indian clientele….
After suggesting to the manager on the side that keeping smaller pieces but more in quantity on that dish (to avoid awkward circumstances when there were more than 3 ppl on the table) we were told that the parcels are brought to them pre-made and frozen. They are heated and served when the order is placed. We’d heard enough… and we asked for the cheque.
The only plus points: The wine – fruity and potent… everyone loved it. The ambience is soothing and allows enjoyable dinner table conversations. The clientele, equally polite and civil (confining their conversations to their table only).
Maybe we went on an ‘off’ night… But wouldn’t be going there again….until someone reports a better review in the near future…
if nt here do not hve italian food in future
Okay. I knew the portions were minute, but looks like quality has gone down in the recent past. Also, at those prices, ‘off nights’ aren’t allowed and frozen food… wow that’s one hell of an admission, considering the image this restaurant has built up of haute cuisine and all of that. Thanks for the comment Kanika. Helps keep reviews current.
@kenny: you’re banned.
i am so sorry to hear about Kanika’s Experience. I have been going to diva for the last 10 years and every time we have had consistently great , innovative fresh food. in fact we were there last week, and had the most amazing meal ever, if nothing else, they are getting better and better,for me and my Italian husband the food is even better than what one would eat in Rome.
Ok the prices are not of a local restaurant but it is still lot cheaper than any 5 star hotel. We paid 4000 for the two of us, including a bottle of wine, for one starter, 2 main course, and 2 desserts.
there has to be a reason why every Italian living in Delhi swears by Diva.