ASIAN WOK.

Byline: ADITI SENGUPTA

If you're a fan of Pan-Asian cuisine, check out two tempting options in Delhi. By Aditi Sengupta

Taman Gang

Just a few months old, Taman Gang at DLF Place, Vasant Kunj, is the India chapter of its iconic predecessor in London's ritzy Park Lane. And though it is doing its worthy bit in bettering the scene of mall dining in the capital, you may not feel up to the dusty drive that brings you to the glittering Pan-Asian restaurant. Once you have landed, spend two minutes walking around the place before you choose your table. Taman Gang is neatly divided into three parts--a sober lounge, an over-the-top dining room and al fresco seating on the terrace. Intricately carved wooden panels separate two private booths from the dining area while the whole restaurant is filled with soft red lighting.

Taman Gang has recently acquired liquor licence so don't be disappointed if your first, second or even third choice is unavailable. We put in a special word for the fiery vodka-based Taman Gang Warrior. Though the menu has a good selection of sushi, the starters score better. The Crispy Aromatic Duck Roll with Hoisin Sauce was a happy medley of flavours and textures. The Soft Shell Crab Tempura was overfried while the California Prawn Maki was not quite what we'd expected. The Stir Fry Three Style Vegetables made a good accompaniment to the mildly flavoured and delicious Steamed Chicken with Black Mushrooms. The best way to finish a meal at Taman Gang is with the Chocolate Fondant with Vanilla Ice-Cream or the Nashi Gyoza with White Chocolate Sabayon. Go ahead and have both if you can.

Taman Gang, DLF Place, Vasant Kunj; New Delhi; tel: [phone]

Yum Yum tree

It's not new. It's not unfamiliar. Yet there was a sense of adventure as we ploughed through the rains to reach Yum Yum Tree at New Friends Colony for lunch. The incentive was to check out the newly-introduced sushi conveyor belt at the restaurant. We, however, ended up dining at the Chinese section. The lunch began with a close inspection at the exhaustive menus, divided into Dim Sum lunch, sushi and a la carte, Sunday Brunch and so on. Our first choice was dim sums, something that we didn't regret. The Duck Har Gao with Cherry Hoisin stood out while the Six-Spice Chicken Dumplings came a close second. The taste of the Char Siu Bao (steamed pork buns) was easily forgotten. The non-vegetarian seafood platter--with salmon, crunchy prawns, tuna et al--kept us pleasantly engaged till the main course arrived. Though our table was filled with non-vegetarian fare, it was the taste of the crunchy Asparagus with Chilli Bean that still remains with us. The Snow Peas and Garlic Fried Rice goes well with anything you have ordered. Two more things you should not leave without sampling: the sinful Baked New York Cheesecake and the refreshing Pomegranate Mousse Martini.

Yum Yum Tree, New Friends Colony Community Centre, New Delhi; tel: [phone]

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