Taksim - Serving World Cuisine On Your Plate

Earlier this year I was invited to review a new F&B property called Taksim, located in the iconic Ansal Plaza mall of Delhi, which is not just the capital's original mall but also the hub of entertainment since 1999.

The brainchild of a popular restaurateur, Sahil Madaan, Taksim offers the best of world cuisine, with a special focus on Turkish and Indian food.

Trying to strike a fine balance between a café and a resto-bar, Taksim is spread across 4200 square feet of well-lit space split up into two floors - a mezzanine and an open-air patio. This goes hand in hand with the literal translation of Taksim, which in Turkish means sections or partitions.

My first impression about Taksim's decor was that it bore an uncanny resemblance to a warehouse. What also caught my attention was the quirky wall installations and the wall art by Delhi's graffiti artists. Real pots and pans, all painted in white, were used to adorn the wall.

The kitchen is under the watchful eye of Chef Sanjay Singh Yadav, who brings to the table more than 19 years of F&B experience with brands like Dos Burros, Ambassador Skychef, Hotel Mela Plaza, Rodeo, Club Mojo, Epicurean Hospitality Services, Harems, and Zerzura.

Continuing the tradition of excitement and celebration, Chef Sanjay has ingeniously curated a rich, diverse menu at Taksim, drawing inspiration from the most popular cuisines in the world. Come, dine under the stars while tasting some of your favorite delicacies like the Grilled Jumbo Prawn, Roasted Red Snapper, Mezze platter, Arabian Sushi, Pakistani Balti Gosht, and much more.

Taksim is the kind of place where you'll go searching for authentic Turkish food. The Chello Kebab, in particular, is to die for! Served with Mansaf or saffron rice, which is an aromatic biryani style preparation, these kebabs will literally melt in your mouth!

If you're lucky, you might also be able to satiate your never-ending craving for a perfect burger. Create your own burger here, with customized topping, dressing or patty.

At Taksim, patrons get what they crave; especially tangy, spicy flavors, with a touch of the exotic. Try the uniquely crunchy Broccoli Almond, homegrown Tandoori Chicken Dimsums, classic Margherita pizzas (or Pides) and pasta alongside Indian fusions, and you'll keep coming back for more.

Grab a seat near the designer bar and choose from an array of inspired drinks.

If the fresh, fruity, and spicy mocktails are anything to go by, the summer season seems to be quite promising at Taksim. Check out the Summer Cyclist that contains a blend of orange and litchi, or go for my favorite Sporty Lemonade. People of all age groups will love the Kit-Kat, Oreo and Peanut Butter Banana shakes.

Chic interiors and an eclectic mix of music and performances recreate a space like no other at Taksim. The resto-bar offers extremely competitive packages for parties as well.

Spend a lazy sunny afternoon on the spacious patio, while indulging in piping hot burgers and coffee. If you love indoors, then step inside the spacious resto-bar and groove to your favorite house and hip-hop music as the DJ churns out one peppy number after the other. Move the party to an intimate lounge on the first floor, ideal for 18 people.

With branches in China already, Sahil is planning to introduce the brand Taksim in Tier 2 Indian cities like Ludhiana and Indore. Enjoy comfort food with an experimental twist, served alongside classics! Owing to its prime location with excellent parking facility, a visit to Taksim should rate high on your agenda.