Surviving Brix

The concrete and glass jungle of DLF Cybercity harbours several species of restaurants – Punjabi, Continental, Chinese, Sushi, what not. Most of them dwell on the ground floor and cater primarily to the crowd within the campus. Parking here is in short supply. Without a DLF parking sticker, a close encounter with one these restaurants is virtually out of bounds, unless you decide to trudge it all the way.

Brix, a relatively new entrant in this overcrowded territory is strategically located at the courtyard adjacent to building 10B; its prominent gold emblem begging attention as you saunter by. Inside, the coffee and forest green decor is soothing and sedentary. A large wooden barrel topped with a gramophone welcomes you as you walk in. Wrought iron lamp posts, plush green sofas, high backed mahogany coloured tables and chairs, black and white sails on the ceiling, a double sided clock – the kind you find in railway stations, wooden floor and paneling and  exposed brick rear wall, these lend the place a somber grandeur. Rhythmic thump from a cordoned off Pioneer music system standing next to the bar accentuates the indolent atmosphere.

We sit facing framed photographs of Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill and Michael Jackson. The relationship between the pictures, apart from the aesthetics, is ambiguous aside from the fact that they are all dead. An existentialist twist, perhaps. Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley adore other walls. A few tables are occupied. Waiters in black, white and pinstripes flit about. The service is brisk.

Honey chilly potatoes, Hara Kebab, Chilly Chicken and Mutton Seekh Kebab arrive and depart cradled in stylish tableware – a perpetual cycle till we get ready for main course. We wait in queue for the buffet offering of Dal Makhani, Paneer Lababdar, Rogan Josh, Murg Makhni and Penne Pasta. Vanilla ice cream, Gulab Jamun and Darsaan wraps up our lunch.

Will I visit Brix again? Unlikely. Guess it is a matter of priorities. If I were a love struck Romeo seeking a cozy dark corner to serenade my Juliet sans interference, Brix would be my top choice. Or if I were a clueless foreigner who couldn’t distinguish between Gulab Jamun and a plum, I would relish Brix. I am neither. To me it is always a matter of taste. On that front Brix barely rise above the average.

In the increasingly competitive restaurant space of Gurgaon, the fittest to survive would be the ones that court taste buds more than the ambience. As Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s put it “It all comes back to the basic. Serve customers the best-tasting food at a good value in a clean, comfortable restaurant, and they’ll keep coming back”. Brix, hope you are listening…

Brix
Upper Ground Floor, Building 10-B,Dlf Cyber City, DLF Phase – 2, Gurgaon – 122002
Contact: 0124-4366020

Foodiebay Brix Menu: Click Here

“Mezzed” up Weekend – Mediterranean Cuisine

 

Last Saturday we went out shopping for winter ware and landed up at Metropolitan Mall. So, for lunch we decided to check out the food court on the third floor. There were several outlets catering to every taste – South Indian, North Indian, Kashmiri, Indian street food, Chinese, Lebanese, pizza, burgers, roll, you name it. 

After an intense debate, we settled on OZ Express which served a mouth watering menu of the “best of Lebanese, Kashmiri and Italian Cuisine”. We gawked at the pictures of various items on the menu and drooled for a while before ordering vegetarian Mezze Platter and vegetable Stroganoff . 

 

The Mezze platter had Hummus, Mutabbal, Tzatziki, Tabbouleh, Falafel, vegetarian Polpetts, Fatayer and Pita bread. Since we were unable to make out which was which, the chef explained each of them before we took away the platter. 

Hummus - Mashed chickpea dip
Mutabbal - Mashed baingan (eggplant) dip a.k.a Babaghanoush
Tzatziki - Yogurt, cucumber, garlic dip
Tabbouleh - Salad dish made of parsley, mint, tomato, onion etc
Falafel - Chickpeas patty
Polpetts - I guess these are marinated carrots and cauliflower, not sure
Fatayer - A kind of samosa
Pita Bread - Round leavened flatbread
 

We spread various dips and garnished each slice of Pita bread with Tabbouleh before gingerly taking a bite. I liked it best with Tzatziki. Pita bread, Falafel and Fatayer were in duplicates. The quantity was substantial and it took two of us to wipe the platter clean. 

The Stroganoff turned out to be a desi version of the classic Russian dish originally made of beef. This one had sautéed broccoli, carrots, celery, mushroom, bell pepper and chopped onions in a thick creamy yogurt based gravy served with rice and green salad. Finger licking delicious!

Cost for two: Rs.320/-
Vegetarian Mezze Platter – Rs.175 + 12.5% tax
Vegetable Stroganoff  – Rs.110.00 + 12.5% tax

I would definitely recommend Oz Express. The counter was neat, service was cordial and delivery was timely. It was a pleasant dining experience, notwithstanding the clamour of the food court. 

We crowned this glorious meal with yummy double scoops of Coffee-Walnut & Black Currant ice creams from Giani’s. Total Rs. 80.00, a pittance compared to the wallet blasting rates of Baskin Robbins. 

Belly dance, anyone… 

Oz Express
3rd Floor, Food Court,
MGF Metropolitan Mall
Gurgaon
Tel – 9810165198

Oz Express Menu from foodie bay is available here: Link

Berco’s Gurgaon – Better Than “Yet Another”

Yesterday evening my friend took us out to dinner at Berco’s, the Chinese and Thai diner at Sector-53, Gurgaon. The restaurant, located on the 2nd floor of Central Plaza has an open air terrace and an air conditioned section. Staff, clad in purple collared black suits was mostly from North East India. We originally intended to dine in the terrace, but later changed our mind and sat indoors. The brown high back chairs were comfortable. At 7.30 PM the restaurant was practically empty. But, by the time we rose to leave at 9.30 almost all tables were taken.

There was a slight nip in the air and we decided to kick start our culinary adventure with Tomato and Seafood soup. For hors d’oeuvre we ordered Lotus Stem Honey Chili, Singapore Wok Style Fish and Chicken Fried Wonton. Lotus Stem Honey Chili was outstanding and the Tomato Soup was good. However, Seafood Soup and Fish were disappointing. The soup had a disconcerting odour and Wok fish was salty. The Chicken Wonton was ordinary. To relieve the gloom, we made intermittent forays to scoop thin oval slices of lotus stem on our plates.

After that dismal start we decided to forgo our designs on fish and stick to vegetables and the eternal favourite – chicken. Our cautious choices for main course were Chicken Rice & Noodles Shanghai Style, Berco’s Special Noodles (vegetarian), Seven Treasure Vegetables in Creamy Garlic Sauce and Thai Green Curry (vegetarian). The seven treasure vegetables, stir fried broccoli, button mushroom, baby corn, yellow, red and green pepperoni and celery soaked in thick sauce and served in an oblong tray was exceptional. Thai green curry and chicken noodle were nondescript. Berco’s special noodles was anything but special!

This mixed epicurean bag eventually cost us Rs.1465.00 (inclusive of taxes) among 3 people – which is slightly on the higher side considering the quality of food even though the portions were decent. Can’t say the restaurant is a gastronomic delight, but it is worth trying. Before you go, ask around. We’re sure this place can offer excellent value for money, if you are able to make the right choices. Our rating is 6 out of 10.