CLOSED - Ai - An Old Favourite Revisited
There are a small handful of restaurants that have managed to stay consistently good in the city. This small handful is then divided in to two, the first are the “herd favourites” that no one really forgets. The second is like a great artist that just isn’t understood by everyone. Wonderful in every way but their only mistake was that they never became a “herd favourite”. Ai to me falls in the latter of the two categories. Ever so scrumptious, yet ever so demure. Though inside a mall its own presence is far from unseemly, a beautiful alfresco, perfect for a sunny brunch or an amorous dinner await you.
If you want fine quality ingredients you have to be ready to pay for it. But how much? Is it absolutely necessary to mortgage my house every time I crave some foie gras and oysters. That is another reason Ai makes me happy, it gives me high-end Japanese at justifiable prices. Which by no means is cheap but at least there is some coherent relationship between the prices and what you are served!
Order Away:
- You should start your meal with a bowl of Chilly Garlic Edamame (or sea salt), for two reasons, its quick and its delicious company while you wait for the rest.
- Next, I would strongly urge you to try the Salmon Belly Nigiri. Go ahead consider it a gun to your head but just order it. Apart from the cheeks, the belly is the most tender part of the fish, with a buttery delicate flavour. What makes this even better is that they lightly torch the flesh giving it just the right amount of smoky char. Oh how it melts away at the touch of your tongue. You would be a fool to think that one portion is good enough for the two of you.
- Once you are done with the salmon belly nigiri and wipe away the tell-tale fatty juices of your lips, move on to some Unagi (eel) Nigiri. Eel is seldom given a chance to prove itself with all the prudent pansies around. No excuse you, I stand by my word. But when eaten fresh, and paired with that wonderful sweet glaze, it is utterly divine. So tender and creamy your teeth could sit back and enjoy their martini. If you still feel like approaching with caution you could try and remove the dark skin which tends to be a little stronger and slippery in texture. First time or not Ai is a great place to get your fill, its fresh, sweet goodness, that just melts away.
- Next some plump Prawn Gyozas. The best in the city. The skin is thick enough to hold the bulging prawn stuffing and light enough to courteously finish in just a few chews. The stuffing is seasoned to perfection and generously filled with prawns not just scallions! And finally the gyoza is completed with a wonderful crispy sear on the outside.
- Wait we couldn’t possibly go on to the mains without a portion of some Prawn Tempura. Their prawn tempura is always wonderful. It has a light and fluffy tempura batter. What I love the most is they manage to always cook the prawn just till its turned colour; soft, tender and sweet.
- Vegetarians do not despair, the Tempura Vegetables and Shiitake Mushroom Gyozas are delicious too.
- Finally to the mains and before you get too full - the star of the show - Miso Glazed Cod on a Hot Stone. The cod that is so perfectly cooked with just the right amount of rusty char. And basted with miso paste giving it that wonderful salty caramelized stickiness. Mmmmm good!
- I love their Pork Belly and yes I may have a strange obsession with bellies. Its grilled over an open flame to give it a bit of smokiness and char. Honestly, what better way to eat meat. Don’t get scared of all the fat because that is where most of the flavour is. Very simply seasoned with a bit of sweet teriyaki glaze and if that is not saucy enough for you then dip in to the delicious honey mustard served on the side.
- I personally love eating this with some sticky rice or Crispy Garlic Fried Rice, but if you are feeling extra porky their Bacon Fried Rice is worth a meal on its own!
- If you make it for a cold winter lunch there is no better way to warm your soul than with a nice bowl of Udon Noodle Soup. A clear simple broth that is sure to keep all the season’s flus at bay.
- I am a huge sucker for things cooked in earthen claypots, I really do believe everything tastes better that way. So no surprise I recommend the Karashi Marinated Chicken with bacon and leeks. Its a rich, lush dish with no sympathy for your weight. The dish is cooked in wasabi cream and is the perfect comfort food with a bowl of steamed rice.
- There is a short window of time during the winter when something wonderful happens it Ai, and that is their wood fired oven. If you are in luck do order something from it because every dish cooked in there has an added depth of flavour from that wood fire. I thought I would spare you my rudimentary photography and give you a much deserved break. All the following wood fired oven dishes have been shot by the very talented photographer Atul Pratap Chauhan.
- The Mixed Seafood Dish
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| Photo by Atul Pratap Chauhan |
- The Lamb Chops or the Mixed Mushrooms are all delicious.
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| Photo by Atul Pratap Chauhan |
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| Photo by Atul Pratap Chauhan |
- And if you are a breakfast person you are in luck because one sizzling plate comes with eggs, bacon, sausages, potatoes and veggies - how’s that for a breakfast of champions.
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| Photo by Atul Pratap Chauhan |
- But the real star comes at the end of your meal - the most sinfully divine Honey Cake. Its buttery, rich and yet texturally so light angels may have just sent it your way. I crave this all the time and if you get to order it, well then kindly do so!
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| Photo by Atul Pratap Chauhan |
- And if the Wood Fired Oven is out of commission their in house ice-cream classics like Green Tea and Sesame are always waiting.
Budget: Expensive
Alcohol: Yes - Do try the peach martinis
Contact
12p.m - 12a.m - Everyday
Have an additional Vegetarian Menu on Tuesdays too
2nd Floor
MGF Metropolitan Mall
Saket
+91 9871981357, 9810263567