Why You Must Visit The All New Zerruco Kitchen and Bar

Earlier this year, in the third week of March to be precise, I was invited to a bloggers table at the all new Zerruco Kitchen and Bar in Delhi. Even though I have visited The Ashok Hotel on a number of occasions before, somehow a visit to Zerruco had always eluded me. Given my eternal love for good food and music, there was no way I was going to turn down this invite.

So there I was, half an hour before the stipulated time of meetup, to interview the key people at Zerruco and see what the buzz was all about.

The first person I stumbled upon at Zerruco was Mohit Saxena, who heads the PR and Marketing for the restaurant. Mohit provided every bit of detail I needed to know about the brand.

Brainchild of restaurateurs Sourabh Chandna and Ashish Begwani, Zerruco was launched amid great fanfare on December 23, 2014. Within no time, the F&B brand established a reputation in Delhi for serving the best in class, authentic multi-cuisine food along with the finest drinks from across the globe.

Sourabh Chandna and Ashish Begwani

The newly revamped kitchen and bar at Zerruco is only going to up the ante by several notches this time around, with a magnificent covered area of nearly 14,000 square feet. 

The all new Zerruco Kitchen and Bar

Zerruco has a cover of 116, which is more than sufficient for any decent fine-dining property in the city. It also boasts of alfresco area in case you’re in the mood for some open air dining.

Alfresco Area at Zerruco Kitchen and Bar

Operational every day between 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm and then from 7.30 pm to 12.30 am, Zerruco attracts true connoisseurs of Lebanese and Italian cuisines. Zerruco takes you on a culinary tour of the Mediterranean via its diner, celebrating good food with a larger than life setting. The restaurant brings to the capital a signature selection of contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, where local ingredients are immixed to create distinct Italian flavors.

Take a culinary tour of the Mediterranean at Zerruco Kitchen and Bar

Zerruco's kitchen is in the capable hands of Head Chefs Harsh Pathania and Manish Sharma. Zerruco hasn’t hired a dedicated mixologist per se but you’ll never be able to tell! Sanjeev Kulhari oversees the day-to-day operations as the Bar and Operations Head of Zerruco.

Zerruco Kitchen and Bar

If you are a loyal patron at Zerruco, you are automatically eligible for a VIP membership card (invite only for now). By holding this card, you are entitled to a 25% discount on each visit to Zerruco, plus 30% percent additional discount on your anniversary or birthday (whichever is applicable) with a bottle of complimentary wine and cake. Isn’t that freaking awesome!

Décor

The interiors are superbly done, especially the wall décor and sky lit textured ceilings. I was mesmerized by the 3D graphics on the wall; the six surface mounted projectors totally nailed it for me! The last time I’d seen something as spectacular was at the b-bar in Select Citywalk, Delhi. The stunning accent and scenic lighting truly creates a hypnotic effect.

Décor at Zerruco Kitchen and Bar

Immerse yourself in a unique sensory experience of gourmet dining and lounge music at Zerruco. A 60 feet wood-finished, square panel backlit wall brings to the forefront the latest audio, visual system, and projection mapping technology.

Zerruco Kitchen and Bar

Try attending a soulful Sufi Night held every Friday or Saturday at Zerruco. Popular Indian singers like Kanika Kapoor, Sagar Bhatia, and Suryaveer have already performed here in front of a packed crowd. The best part is there are no cover charges to be paid! You can also attend a Mashrabiya Night and croon to the catchy Arabic tunes on which exotic belly dancers will perform.

Food and Beverage

Here are my top recommendations for food and beverages at Zerruco.

Cocktails

Aromatic Melody

[My Rating: 4 out of 5]

The peated Whisky is known to have the most polarizing flavor per se. Takes time to appreciate but for those who can swear by it, Aromatic Melody is the cocktail that sets the tone for the evening - a classy mix of peated whisky, refreshment, and aroma.

Surprised Wink

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

True to its name, this exotic cocktail makes your heart skips a beat through its exciting flavors of orange vodka, basil, and strawberry-pineapple.

Refreshing Pink River

[My Rating: 4 out of 5]

An exciting concoction of Juniper, lemongrass, citrus, and berry, the Refreshing Pink River is a cocktail to die for.

Mocktails

Orange Blossom

[My Rating: 3 out of 5]

Looking for the perfect way to disguise booze? Try Orange Blossom, a refreshing mocktail that makes you feel the wind against your face while you spread your wings and fly through the air; courtesy its delightful flavors of orange, peach, mint, strawberry, and citrus fuzz.

Rosemary Cider

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

Kick in the summery season with my favorite mocktail, Rosemary Cider, made of apple, carbonated sweet and sour, and rosemary.

Beverages at Zerruco

Salad - Vegetarian

Beetroot and Goat Cheese Salad

[My Rating: 4 out of 5]

A delicious Chef Special salad made of earthy and sweet roasted beetroot tossed with goat cheese.

Beetroot and Goat Cheese Salad

Asparagus and Orange

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

One of the most fiber-rich healthy salads at Zerruco made of asparagus and fresh orange segment, perfectly mixed with crispy lettuce and citrus dressing.

Asparagus and Orange

Salad - Non-Vegetarian

Grilled Chicken Pesto

[My Rating: 4 out of 5]

This tender and juicy grilled chicken is prepared with seasonal vegetables and pesto dressing. The latter packs a lot of punch to the flavorful dish.

Grilled Chicken Pesto

Appetizers - Vegetarian

French Brie with Cranberry Sauce

[My Rating: 4 out of 5]

You’re absolutely going to love this panko fried brie cheese, best served with cranberry sauce.

French Brie with Cranberry Sauce

Mediterranean Falafel

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

If you have a Lebanese palate, you’re going to drool over these Mediterranean falafels made of chickpea. Best served with hummus and pita.

Mediterranean Falafel

Appetizers - Non-vegetarian

Chili Lime Grilled River Sole

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

A scrumptious dish made using marinated, grilled River Sole and fresh European herbs. Best served with garlic dip.

Chili Lime Grilled River Sole

Chef Special Mezze Platter

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

From tangy hummus to yummy baba ghanoush, this chef special mezze platter remains the mainstay of Lebanese cuisine at Zerruco. It is said that this jumbo non-vegetarian Mezze platter is the largest they serve in Delhi. Quite impressive, isn’t it?

Chef Special Mezze Platter

Wood-Fired Oven Pizzas

Vegetarian

Ortolana Pizza

[My Rating: 4 out of 5]

Ortolano is Italian for “from the vegetable patch”. This classic, oven-roasted seasonal grill pizza is a vegetarian’s delight, containing a unique mix of garden products.

Ortolana Pizza

Calzone Etna

[My Rating: 3 out of 5]

I am not such a huge fan of stuffed pizza but this one was nicely done with a cool filling of ricotta cheese, spinach, mozzarella, and parmesan.

Calzone Etna

Calzone Etna

Main Course - Vegetarian

Vegetable Tagine

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

This North African spiced vegetables stew is traditionally cooked in a shallow earthenware pot with a tall, conical lid. Contains a balanced mix of olives and couscous.

Vegetable Tagine

Couscous

Homemade Ricotta Ravioli

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

Fan of homemade pasta? Then you must order this flavorful dish made of spinach and ricotta cheese, best served with white sauce.

Main Course - Non-Vegetarian

Chicken Ablama

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

If you like barbeque food, you must go for the Chicken Ablama that contains marinated chicken chunks prepared with mushroom and onion. Best served with Balsamic rice.

Chicken Ablama

Valencia Paella

[My Rating: 4 out of 5]

Classic Spanish rice with flavors of Saffron and paprika, cooked with prawns and exotic vegetables.

Valencia Paella

Parsley Crusted Seabass

[My Rating: 4 out of 5]

Herb crusted sea bass makes for a delicious and healthy midweek meal. Best served with spinach and mustard sauce.

Kabab Musakal

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

A Chef special, Kabab Musakal is essentially assorted meat served on top of herbs flavored ice.

Kabab Musakal

Desserts

[My Rating: 5 out of 5]

The classic range of desserts included my all-time favorite Homemade Tiramisu, delicious Banoffee Pie, and evergreen Chocolate Decadence.

Desserts at Zerruco Kitchen and Bar

Desserts at Zerruco Kitchen and Bar

Desserts at Zerruco Kitchen and Bar

Finally, Zerruco provides a ‘premium’ fine-dining experience in every sense of the word. With its biggest live stage and kitchen, the restaurant provides 5-star experiences at dirt-cheap prices. In fact, it can easily become your everyday wine and dine place.

Beautiful lighting fixture at Zerruco

So what are you waiting for? Come, experience the feeling of luxury and grandeur, as Zerruco brims with elegance and class. The Zerruco experience will keep bringing you back again and again.