Top 10 Reasons to Visit Sana-di-ge

What happens when Bangalore's best coastal cuisine restaurant decides to expand northwards? Well, nothing short of sheer magic!

Last week I was invited to a bloggers table at Sana-di-ge, a newly opened coastal cuisine restaurant in the heart of Malcha Marg market, New Delhi. The property has a capacity to serve over 120 people at a given time.

Sana-di-ge

Sana-di-ge is essentially a Tulu word that refers to a brass lamp lit on auspicious occasions in the coastal belt of Karnataka.

Owned by the famous MRG Hospitality and Infrastructure group - the same name behind the Goldfinch boutique chain of hotels in Bangalore - Sana-di-ge is a seafood specialty restaurant for those who're unwilling to compromise on authentic taste and quality. It's the kind of property that has eluded Delhi for a long time. I kid you not!

In this blog post, I present the top 10 reasons to visit Sana-di-ge.

1. The menu is absolutely flawless. From Soul Kadi (welcome drink) to crab meat soup ... from Anjal Masala Fry to Mutton Tellangana ... there were so many firsts at Sana-di-ge; you'll find it hard to contain your excitement!





Soul Kadi



2. Sana-di-ge has a beautiful and breathtaking decor with ample space to move around inside their premises. The restaurant is divided into four levels - basement, ground, first, and second. The slow-moving, transparent elevator at Sana-di-ge is yet another highlight; get inside the elevator to take a classic tour of one of India's finest coastal cuisine restaurant.












 



















3. Once the sun goes down, Sana-di-ge offers its patrons a chance to enjoy an intimate, alfresco dinner. If you're planning to organize a private party with your loved ones, this is the place to be!











4. Owing to its prime location, Sana-di-ge provides a much-needed respite from the humdrum fine-dining options available in the vicinity like the Moti Mahal Delux and Amour Bistro.





5. You'll occasionally run into a bureaucrat, a diplomat, or a think-tank who're now finding their working lunch options become much swisher, courtesy Sana-di-ge. I was lucky enough to meet noted food historian and TV presenter, Ashish Chopra, whose first book, NE Belly (2006), showcases little-known recipes from the north-east.





Ashish Chopra - Noted Food Historian and TV Presenter



6. Sana-di-ge serves the best, authentic summer coolers - be it Ginger Minger (made of apple puree and apple juice) or Ping Pong (made of pomegranate, raspberry, and cranberry). These mocktails taste much better than they sound actually, I can assure you that. If you're a fan of mixology, the gin-based Watermelon Bramble should be your perfect summer drink.





Ping Pong



Ginger Minger



7. Want to try a unique, delectable South Indian dessert that'll leave you asking for more? Well, then don't forget to savor the Elaneer Payasam at Sana-di-ge. Served in an unorthodox coconut shell and made with a unique combination of coconut cream and pulp of tender coconut, this has got to be the best payasam served anywhere in Delhi-NCR.





Elaneer Payasam served in a Coconut Shell



Elaneer Payasam



8. At Sana-di-ge, all masalas and ingredients used in cooking are imported from Mangalore. Even the ghee is homemade, which is why I believe that the culinary fare is authentic to its core.





9. Dressed in traditional South Indian attire, the servers are alert and fully informed about the coastal cuisine at Sana-di-ge. You can also meet the Master Chefs and understand the story behind each offering.





Server at Sana-di-ge



10. Sana-di-ge is the only place I know where mini wooden boats are used to present the bill.

Mini wooden boats for bills

What You Must Try at Sana-di-ge

Welcome Drink

Soul Kadi

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

Flavored with garlic, this Mangalorean homemade chilled sweet and sour welcome drink sets a precedent for an unforgettable fine-dining experience at Sana-di-ge.

Soups

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

You can choose from a wide array of delicious soups here. However, my favorites are listed below:

• Crab Meat Soup
• Vegetarian Lemon Coriander
• Chicken Lemon Coriander

Crab Meat Soup

Salads

Papad - Masala/Plain

[My Rating: 4 out of 5]

Fond of popadums? If your answer is in the affirmative, then go for the scrumptious masala or plain papads, considered a specialty in South India.

Papads

Starters

Paneer Ghee Roast

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

Marinated cottage cheese (paneer) roasted over the griddle with homemade ghee and spices.

Paneer Ghee Roast

Baby Corn Pepper Fry

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

Baby corn tossed in three ingredients: black pepper, butter pepper garlic, and curry leaves.

Basale Pakoda

[My Rating: 4 out of 5]

Ponnanganni Keerai (Dwarf copper leaf) mixed with herbs, spices, and then flour, before being made into crispy fritters. Best served with chutney.

Basale Pakoda

Mushroom Pepper Fry

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

Fresh mushrooms tossed in two ingredients: black pepper and curry leaves.

Bhatti Paneer

[My Rating: 4 out of 5]

Cottage cheese coated with gram flour, marinated with Indian spices, and then cooked in a clay oven.

Anjal Masala Fry

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

The Tulu word Anjal is used to describe an Indo-Pacific king mackerel or seer fish. This yummy dish is made of seer fish cubes tossed with homemade masalas; the end result is flavorful, not too spicy or dry.

Anjal Masala Fry

If you have room for more, go for the following delightful coastal dishes:

• Chicken Ghee Roast
• Prawn Butter Pepper Garlic
• Mutton Pepper Fry
• Clams Sukka
• Tandoori Chaamp

Clams Sukka

Mains

Chicken Dhansak

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

Boneless chicken chunks cooked in lentil gravy with Indian spices, garnished with coriander leaves.

Mutton Tellangana

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

Mutton cooked in homemade onion gravy and black pepper.

You could also try the following options in mains:

• Vegetable Gassi
• Falguni Subzi
• Prawn Gassi

Coastal Breads

Neer Dosa

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

This utterly thin pan cake is prepared from rice batter, and is a popular delicacy from Tulu Nadu region in Karnataka.

Neer Dosa

Kerala Parantha

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

If you're not sure which coastal bread to choose from, simply order this multi-layered pan fried Indian bread that'll surprise you with its soft texture and crispiness.

Me at Sana-di-ge

Finally, Sana-di-ge is not just a revered Bangalore establishment but a cozy fine-dining restaurant that truly understands the pulse of a Delhi foodie.