Located in DDA Market, Safdarjung Enclave, Opposite Deer Park, The Hungry Monkey is a very inviting and cosy place. The natural light coming in makes it an ideal place for brunches & lunches. It has two floors and a terrace overlooking the Deer ParkIt is named after the monkey because it is a very curious animal and the main theme of this place is ‘Curiosity’. The menu is an interesting blend of European & California cuisine and the dishes are different from the ones served regularly at other similar cadre of restro & bars. They are curated by Noah, an ex-Olive Chef. He has added some very interesting and innovative dishes to the menu and his signature dishes are Truffle Mac n Cheese and Cold Spinach ‘Gomae’. We started our lunch with two lovely drinks – Fog Light and Hickory Smoked Manhattan and these were served with a bread basket along with sun dried tomato pesto dip. Fog Light is a vodka based signature cocktail which is served over cracked ice with lavender flavoured smoke whereas The Hickory was Jim Beam based with dry vermouth and cherry.Next to grace our table was the cold spinach gomae salad, roasted beetroot tartare which had mascarpone and roasted pine nuts in it and the dish gave beetroot an absolutely new avatar. The classic tuna tartare was another hit as the roquette leaves and walnuts gave it another edge altogether.
Next we gorged on potted chicken liver pate which had a mild apple flavor to cut down the pungent hit of the liver and smoked salmon carpaccio, both were extremely flavourful. For the next round of drinks we ordered the Gin Basil smash and the Elderflower Cloud. The drinks were well made and elderflower stole the show. Tequila has never tasted so good!For main course we asked for the signature Mac n Cheese which was absolutely awesome and was accompanied by Espresso pan fried chicken breast with mashed bacon. This dish was one of its kind. Imagine coffee oozing out of your grilled chicken! Risotto Creme di funghi had three varieties of mushroom in it and was heavenly. It was polished off within seconds. We then had the Baked Fillet of Sole cooked with rosemary and lemon followed by the Bomb Burger which had this yummy Tenderloin patty along with bacon and aioli. It was a treat to have!We wrapped up our lunch with the classic vanilla crème brulee and hazelnut cold coffee, both were made to perfection.In all, it’s a delight of a place and can be visited any time of the day with friends or family. With their Flying Sunday Brunch being launched, I’m definitely tempted to my repeat visit.
