[New Delhi] Plum by Bent Chair is an eccentric and quaint space brimming with a medley of colours that ranges from the giant purple bear at the entrance to the green plants that seem to overtake the ceiling.
The intensity of the food along with quirky interiors is what forms the very soul of the restaurant.
An exclusive concept that merges retail therapy with the culinary arts, Plum takes the idea a notch higher where everything, from the plates on the table to the paintings on the walls, is available for the customer to buy.
Plum has a dual nature to it. Firstly, it is a retail shop that is owned and run by the furniture company Bent Chair.
It is initially the vivacity of the furniture, the art, the lampshades, that gives character to the restaurant and makes it stand apart.
Secondly, it is a restaurant that serves pan-Asian food with Chef Sagar Bajaj leading in the kitchen.
The use of delicate ingredients to highlight some genuinely exotic flavours and textures is what finally brings everything together as one.
Plum first started in Mumbai and has been quite successful there.
The restaurant is a sight for sore eyes from the moment you enter as it takes the décor to an entirely different over-the-top level.
There is a friendly vibe to the place that carries forward till the very end of the meal.
The small alfresco dining area is ideal for Delhi winters, although the chairs are slightly uncomfortable.
The interiors of Plum are the heart of the establishment. They draw in the crowds with their large bar, peculiar cat lampshades, hanging plants, and their sofas that are both inviting and comforting.
The art on display is an amalgamation of the old and the new.
The cutlery is often tongue and cheek– the side plates that came along with my dessert had a cartoon figure doing yoga. It might have been a coincidence, but it worked.
A special mention goes to the music. It not only improved the ambience but was thankfully lacking any of the popular hits that one would typically expect.
It’s not often that the selection of music at a restaurant has this much of a positive effect on me, but it did at Plum.
The food was undoubtedly the highlight of the whole Plum experience.
The Truffle White Fungus Clear Soup (Rs 435, SGD8.30) was a pure delight with the clarity of the white ingredients broken by the occasional edamame bean.
There were lots of different textures from the soft white fungus to the crunchy bamboo pith.
The Charred Pork Tenderloin Burger (Rs 595, SGD11.35) had too much of carrot in it and lacked a charry taste.
Nevertheless, it was big, and there was a nice little zing to each bite, made better because of the soft bun.
As someone who does not enjoy cheesecake, the Plum Tropical Fruit Citrus Cheesecake was heaven sent.
The cake itself was soft with a perfect balance between sweet and savoury.
While the food was exceptionally good, the service at Plum was a disappointment. It lacked the finesse and professionalism one would expect from a place like this.
A little more knowledge about the menu from the front staff would also go a long way. I was recommended noodles when I asked for something to go along with a rice dish.
Similarly, a question about the bao was answered in a rather passing manner, clearly showing lack of knowledge about the dishes.
Plum by Bent Chair, as it is officially known, is situated in one of the three up and coming Worldmark buildings of Aerocity.
Not only does Worldmark already have some excellent places, like Farzi Café, but other contemporary restaurants such as AnnaMaya and Pluck are also in the vicinity of Plum.
With delectable food on offer and animated interiors that are a hit with the Instagram generation, Plum is already making waves in Delhi’s after-hours party circuit.
Now, would I buy non-eating stuff from a restaurant where I dine? Honestly, I’m not sure.
I did fancy picking up the side plate I was served food in, and the various displays are quite out-of-the-box.
Then again, Plum isn’t the cheapest of places to eat.
A simple, yet delicious meal for two, without drinks of any kind, cost me Rs 3500 (SGD66.75), and that left me with very little to spend on anything else.
Plum by Bent Chair, New Delhi
The Walk, Worldmark 2, Aerocity, New Delhi, Delhi 110037
Tel: 073031 56444
Opening Hours: 11:30am-11:30pm (Mon-Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/plumbybentchairdelhiGoogle Maps – Plum by Bent Chair
Other Related Entries
Café Lota (New Delhi)
Lavaash by Saby (New Delhi)
Between Buns (New Delhi)
Café Dori (New Delhi
Jamie’s Italian (Vasant Kunj, New Delhi)
Click HERE for other Indian Food Entries
* Written by DFD’s India Correspondent @tickereatstheworld. Raghav is a travel and food writer who enjoys the thrill of discovering new places and writing about them. When he is not working, he can be found driving around his two kids from one birthday party to another.
