La Cirque

Le Cirque’s where you take your partner when they’ve got a promotion. Or if you want to propose. It has all the trappings of a tasteful, mind-bogglingly expensive date night. 

The original 10th-floor location, of course, had a different kind of charm… spacious, alfresco seating, a bird’s eye view of Delhi – it was the works, back in the day. But I’ve got to say that the revamped space on the first floor, though much smaller, has its own pros. It’s much more intimate, for starters, and there’s not a lick of change when it comes to the quality of service or food. The Franco-Italian fare remains superb, though plates have veered more modern. An open kitchen sits at the centre of the main dining area, making for a nice hustle-bustle as you wait for your food. 

The five- and seven-course tasting menus are the real draw. Fresh burratina, yellowfin tuna crudo, scallops with black truffle. The handmade pastas and risotto. Salt-baked portobello mushroom, paprika-crusted rock lobster. Come hungry. 

Don’t forget that the wine list is easily one of the city’s best, so consider booking a personal session with the in-house sommelier to really go ham. From champagne and Old World legends to rare Coravin pours and expressive by-the-glass options, there’s something to elevate every course.

Time Out tip: Don’t even think about skipping the crème brûlée. It’s an absolutely iconic Le Cirque dish.