I took a bite of the spicy Theccha Mutton and it just melted in my mouth. Prepared with jwala green chillies, garlic and peanuts – I can happily say that this was the best mutton dish I’ve had since I’ve ordered in during the lockdown. I would usually expect this kind of food at a restaurant but now it comes straight to my home and I can’t be happier.
With fine dining restaurants offering gourmet delivery services, we are spoilt for choice. The latest one to join the bandwagon is a pop-up called The Dinner Box by Food Expeditions LPP where they tie up with some of the top chefs from India. Each chef continues for about four weeks and to begin with a bang the launch was by Chef Amninder Sandhu who's come up with some incredible dishes for the winter season.
I am no stranger with Chef Amninder Sandhu’s cooking - her smoky butter chicken and mutton deomali have prompted me visit Arth restaurant in Mumbai many times. So when I got to know she is doing a pop-up in Delhi, I couldn’t wait to try it.
The order was delivered on time along with a video by the chef that added a special touch. The solid brown box reminded me of a picnic basket. Each dish was in a special biodegradable package while the dessert and condiments came in glass jars.
There were instructions on how to heat and plate the food which made it special because the attention to details matters when you are eating a gourmet meal at home. I was hungry so I quicky got down to heating and bringing it to the table.
I had asked for the non-veg box that came with Chicken Tangri stuffed with cashews, Sesame Crusted Chicken Seekh with lemon zest, chillies and Kalimpong cheese, Chicken and Alubukhara Tawa Pulao, that melt-in-the-mouth Theccha Mutton and Jowar Roti. Then there were the accompaniments - pomegranate and mint raita, kharonda pickle, kachchi kairi salad and of course the dessert for the grand finale – Rasmalai Tres Leches.
Each dish was unique and packed in quite a flavour. I’d never eaten chicken tangri stuffed with cashews and just loved it. Even the sesame crusted chicken seekh stood out because it was a far cry from the usual seekh. But my favourites were the Theccha Mutton and chicken and alubukhara tawa pulao that came with a boiled egg, slivers of almonds and juicy pieces of boneless chicken.
Chef Amninder Sandhu has combined her memories of Mumbai with her Punjabi roots and put something wholesome that’s perfect for a cold winter evening. If you opt for the vegetarian menu, you’ll get Wild Mushroom Kebab, Rhododendron Seekh, Theccha Lotus Stem and Jackfruit & Alubukhara Tawa Pulao.
While I loved the meal and savoured each dish I only wished that instead of ras malai tres leches, the dessert had been a hot one -- that always warms one on a cold winter night.
The Dinner Box is cooked at Rooh restaurant in Mehrauli that is helmed by Chef Partner Sujan Sarkar. He feels that while dining out will always be a draw for customers, relishing a gourmet experience from a top chef is going to be a game changer.
Details
Order online on their website or call up 9560288633. The meal is available from Wednesday to Sunday.
Non-veg meal for 2: ₹2800
Non-veg meal for 4: ₹4800
Vegetarian meal for 2: ₹2400
Vegetarian meal for 4: ₹4200
The price is exclusive of 5% GST and delivery charges (₹300 within Delhi; ₹500 for Gurgaon and Noida).
