Siddhaarth Jalan is a food writer and the Academy Chair for The World's 50 Best Restaurants for India & the Sub-Continent. He manages the restaurant, nightlife, and hotel sectors for The Times of India, overseeing the multi-city Times Food & Nightlife Awards. A passionate traveller, Siddhaarth enjoys discovering new restaurants and cuisines both within India and internationally.
Please introduce yourself to our members.
I'm Sid Jalan, the Academy Chair for The World's 50 Best for India & the Sub-Continent.
Tell us about the restaurant scene in your city.
Gurgaon and Delhi have a very vibrant restaurant scene. Gurgaon is leading the charge with many new, innovative restaurants and bars that have opened and are slated to open.
What are your three favorite restaurants in your city?
- Omo Cafe: a cute cafe in Gurgaon that serves tasty and delicious food. They focus on international dishes using only local ingredients. It's a beautiful space that makes you feel warm and welcome.
- Banng: A new Thai restaurant by Chef Garima of GAA. Banng recently opened, serving delicious Thai food and tasty cocktails.
- Dum Pukht: at the ITC Maurya cannot be missed if you are visiting Delhi. The food is tasty and delicately prepared and is from a region in northern India called Awadh.
“Omo Cafe is a cute cafe in Gurgaon that serves tasty and delicious food. They focus on serving international dishes using only local ingredients. It's a beautiful space that makes you feel warm and welcome.”
What’s your favorite kind of restaurant?
My favourite kind of restaurant is one that serves Italian food in a casual setting. Great food in a casual and comfortable setting is the best one can get.
What are your three favorite food cities and your favorite restaurants in those cities?
- Barcelona - Disfrutar - The best meal I have ever eaten. A meal at Disfrutar is a feast for the eyes as well as your palette.
- Bangkok - Gaggan - The experience is a sensory overload with great food and great music.
- Mumbai - Masque - The best restaurant in India with an innovative take on Indian cuisine. Expect tasty food and excellent service
What is your favorite dish and where is your favorite restaurant to have it?
My favourite dish is Black (Kaali) Daal, and the best place to have it is at Bukhara at ITC Maurya in Delhi
Who is an up-and-coming chef you are keeping an eye on?
Chef Himanshu Saini from Trèsind Studio in Dubai and Mumbai.
Who is a food expert whose restaurant recommendations you’d like to see?
Rashmi Uday Singh, Indian food writer and author.
Find Siddhaarth Jalan on Instagram: @sidjalan
