Dhilli Restaurant - A Hit or a Miss?

A vegetarian foodie’s review of Oberoi Delhi newest offering

A self proclaimed epicure and a Masterchef fan, visiting a new restaurant with a theme designed menu is nothing short of a fete for me so I had been looking forward to dining at Dhilli, a new Indian restaurant that opened in Oberoi Delhi in February 2023. The restaurant is the brainchild of Michelin star chef Vineet Bhatia. Having experienced his terrific food at the Rasoi by Vineet at Mandarin Oriental, Geneva, I was expecting a similar affair here as well, but the two turned out to be quite different.

RESERVATION

Considering I was lunching here on a Sunday, I judged it wise to book myself a table in advance. The process was fairly uncomplicated. There was no charge holding involved and thankfully, no goof up with my reservation.

INTERIORS

Unlike the rest of the fairly newly renovated premises at the Oberoi, the interiors of the restaurant were simple and basic. While the 360 and other restaurants in the hotel benefit from big windows overlooking the property landscape and Lutyen Delhi trees, Dhilli had no views to speak of and surprisingly the interiors did not reflect its namesake either. This is not to say the restaurant wasn’t pleasant or comfortable, it was just that I don’t expect the design of the restaurant to be a draw.

AMBIENCE

With tables in close quarters and no mood lighting, the restaurant lacked the sophistication of hushed tones and quiet conversations. Since the size of the place isn’t as lavish as its counterparts, especially 360, it was no surprise that one could overhear everyone at the surrounding tables. The place emulated more of a family vibe rather than giving off a date or business chic aura.

SERVICE

As we’ve come to expect of Oberoi, the servers were warm, friendly and donned a very welcoming demeanour. We were well looked after without being hovered over. Someone was always there to catch our eye before we had to resort to making uncomfortable waves or awkward calling sounds. All attendants were well informed of the dishes and were more than happy to make suggestions and accommodate needs.

FOOD AND MENU

In the spectrum between contemporary and experimental, the restaurant leans more on the contemporary side. The menu is small, consists of fairly easy to understand and know dishes. Its divided as per different regions in Delhi, each consisting of some appetisers, some mains. The focus in my opinion isn’t on reinventing popular dishes but just to serve them in styles conducive to 5 star fine dining. What we ate are regular food items, presented in easy to eat, neat ways with comfortable, not too big, not too small quantities. I’d be amiss if I didn’t say I was expecting more flair in both, the way the dishes were thought of as well as presented.

TASTE

All the dishes tasted great and were completely balanced. I could not find one thing wrong with any, whether it was the serving temperature, proportions of components, spice levels. It was convenient to mix and match dishes from different regions and at no point did I feel I’d had too much or too little of something. I had no complaints and neither could I see anyone in the restaurant having any. You can be rest assured that you definitely would not have a bad meal at Dhilli.

In my opinion, if you’re looking for a safe evening where everyone would be happy with the food, visit Dhilli, it’s a definite addition on Delhi’s trustworthy eateries for a hearty meal. But I would not expect serious gastronomes to be rushing and making reservations at Dhilli to get on the bandwagon of the new trendy it dining or eating experiences.