Unplugged Courtyard is a cute restaurant in the heart of Delhi in L Block- 23/7, Near Odeon Cinema, Middle Circle, Connaught Place. Typically like many other restaurants in CP, this one too is not expensive or something exclusive. The food is reasonably priced and for everyday food lovers. My first impression of the place was that that the seating was too tight and it was over crowded. But wait till you see its outside courtyard which is open, spacious and big. Of course, on a hot summer day, we could not sit outside and preferred to sit inside. The restaurant was busy with lots of customers. Which is good. It spoke about its popularity or good food that is priced well. But if you prefer something quite, very exclusive, special service, special attention, then this place is not for you.
We ordered for soups to start with and were told that it would take minimum 20 minutes. That was a surprise. So we decided to move on to other things first and taste the soup later.
I was invited there to savour the launch of their special Monsoon menu. Apparently, it is the first place to launch a separate menu for the season. It is not their normal menu.
The first dish to come was Corn asparagus fritters. Rs.295/-
Deep fried corn & asparagus balls stuffed with cheese served along with third degree sauce. This can be a good substitute for monsoon pakodas. I liked it. It was served well, tasted well and is also priced well. So this dish, definitely gets a thumbs up.
Next we were served banana chicken. It was crispy banana chips and sliced chicken quick tossed in sweet chilly onion sauce. Rs. 395/-. Sauce was a little too spicy. Fried banana chips that were served along seemed to be from ready made packet and not freshly made in house. The only effect of sauce was to increase the effect of flavour or spice or chilli. I would say it was a good starter- hot and spicy. It had nice flavours, filling and good value for money.
Service of cocktails and mocktails was too slow. They came after the dishes were served. I ordered The glacier. It had fresh ginger, mint, black salt n lemon acid. Rs. 215/-. It was very refreshing
My friend had Litchi splash. It had litchi, vodka, coconut water Rs. 315/-. The drink seemed okay.
Next we tasted Palak patte ki chaat. Rs.295/- Topped with saunth and curd and mint. It was very nicely made and presented in a dim sum basket. It was subtle with nice flavours not over loaded with curd as usual. This was real monsoon stuff. It was a good starter.
The place and seating is bit dingy. There were flies around. But maybe monsoon is to be blamed for it.
For non vegetarian selection, we were offered Thrice cook crispy lamb with hoisin sauce. Rs. 425/-. It was tossed with onion & hoisin sauce.
It was a good portion size. On side were peanuts that were good. They diminished the bulk of the lamb. You could not know whether it was grease or real meat. Certainly it is not for diet food.
Lamb is normally heavy and difficult to digest. This portion size was good for 3 people. It could be your choice for main dish.
After much waiting and after so much food, we were now served our soups. I had asked for wild mushroom cappuccino. Rs.295/- . It was full of froth finished with cream. True to its name, cappuccino, it was served in a coffee mug.
I liked it. My friend was not so excited about it. Spoon should have been served with it but was missing. But that is a minor detail.
This is their normal menu.
This is how the bill comes.
The place has a country feel to it. They have famous outdoor seating and live band.
We also got another soup called special UCC soup. Rs 295/-. It is a Thai delicacy with coconut milk flavoured infused lemon leaf n galangal.
Swaraj Singhi, the co owner of the place is opening another restaurant, Tourist, in Janpath. Its menu is written in passports. It is a street food bar.
For desserts, we got cutting chai freezer. Nice concept for monsoon, I would say. It felt like baileys.
My overall review of the place is that it is a nice restaurant to go to, for college goers, office goers, on everyday basis. It is budget friendly. It would not burn a big hole in your pocket and you will get nice food of everyday type. But do not go with very high expectations. The outdoor area is nice chilling out zone that is lively and happy. There is lot of concept and thought put behind it.
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