Skip to main content

Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, Janpath, New Delhi

If you cross the Windsor roundabout on the busy Ashoka Road in India's capital and move towards the Janpath road, right next to Hotel Le Meridian you see a small building almost covered with big huge trees. On the ground floor of this building is situated one of Delhi's finest eating places - Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, the only Jiggs Kalra branded restaurant in the region.


On a hot Sunday afternoon, I set out to discover this place and to understand and experience its food. For those who don't about Jiggs Kalra, well he is an iconic chef, one of the most well-known culinary experts in the country. His son runs the popular food brand Farzi Cafe and Masala Library besides other food outlets. Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra first opened in Mumbai in October 2013. Since then the brand has undergone various transformations and innovations.


The basic idea the team here has adopted is to look for basic Indian food and flavors and adapt them with postmodern and post molecular techniques. What you get is truly experimental and unique dishes which are so innovative, you might not even have heard or imagined them like this. Like the open-ended samosa or the slight Madhur vada, each dish is well-crafted and thoughtfully designed and presented.


The best way to experience the culinary treat here is by going for the Chef's special tasting menu. It is a 19 course, extensive menu with inbuilt options for dishes (the initial snacks are fixed). It becomes all the better if you pair it with recommended wines for an additional cost. The wine collection is extensive and the sommelier picks up 6 fine wines to go with the food and compliments its flavors.

The Ala carte menu is an extension of the items on the tasting menu and can be tried by those in rush. For the 19-course tasting menu can only be relished, if you are ready to unwind, relax and leave the food and beverage decisions to the experts at ML. 

The menu started off with snacks like madhur vada, street papadums, airy ram ladoo and farmer's staple (basically a millet roti with caramelized onions and white butter).

These were followed by mushroom chai, galouti kebab sheermar and curry leaf prawns. Among the other items I relished were the Naga Pork, celery and chicken thupka, Telangana pepper lamb and gunpowder mash.

My love for sweet dishes was fully satiated with jalebi caviar, ashen kulfi and bhappa doi. What I did not realize was that they had a surprise up on their sleeves with a contraption to use magnetic forces and present Belgian Chocolate Truffle in the most tempting way ever.

Take some time off, leave all your worries at the door, sit back and spend good quality time at Masala Library. This one is not to be rushed or missed.
Masala Library Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Also read

Cutting people off isn’t strength—It is a trauma response

Your ability to cut people off and self-isolate is not a skill you should be proud of—It is a trauma response Cutting people off and self-isolating may feel like a protective shield, but it is often rooted in unresolved or unhealed trauma and an inability to depend on others. While these behaviors seem like self-preservation, they end up reinforcing isolation and blocking meaningful connections. Confronting these patterns, seeking therapy, and nurturing supportive relationships can help break this unhealthy cycle. Plus, a simple act like planting a jasmine plant can symbolise the start of your journey towards emotional healing. Why do we cut people off and isolate? If you’re someone who prides themselves on “cutting people off” or keeping a tight circle, you might believe it’s a skill—a way to protect yourself from betrayal, hurt, or unnecessary drama. I get it. I’ve been there, too. But here’s the thing: this ability to isolate yourself is not as empowering as it may seem. In fact, i...
1 comment
Read more

The Camel Club by David Baldacci

A twisty conspiracy, a vigilante group, and a world-shaking terrorist plot—David Baldacci’s The Camel Club delivers intrigue, tension, and surprises. This review explores its highs, lows, and what makes it a must-read. Also, don’t miss recommendations for five thrilling reads to curl up with this December. What Makes The Camel Club A Gripping read? David Baldacci’s The Camel Club is a masterclass in blending suspense, action, and political intrigue. Set in the heart of Washington, D.C., the story follows Oliver Stone and his ragtag group of conspiracy theorists. They witness a chilling murder, setting off a chain reaction that reaches the corridors of power. Alongside Secret Service agent Alex Ford and intelligence chief Carter Gray, we’re drawn into a labyrinth of plots within plots. Who Are The Camel Club, and Why should You Care? The titular club is a quirky mix of outcasts, each bringing unique skills to the table. At the centre is Oliver Stone, an enigmatic man with a shadowy p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Who the F Are You? by Harinder Singh Pelia — A sharp, kind kick to become unignorable | Book review

In this impatiently kind review I walk you through Harinder Singh Pelia's Who the F Are You?  a short practical guide to finding your unfair advantage and making it impossible to ignore. The book pairs a Minimum Viable Self framework with bite sized exercises and honest case studies. If you want clarity without theatre, this book gives you a plan. Have you ever felt invisible despite working hard? What is the book about in a few lines? The book's central promise is simple: find your unfair advantage, sharpen it and make it impossible to ignore. Pelia lays out a five step process built around the Minimum Viable Self framework. Rather than offering lofty pep talk, the book gives short exercises, prototypes and feedback loops so readers can test how they show up. It is candid, occasionally blunt, and emphatically practical. Harinder Singh Pelia’s Who the F Are You?  was published in 2025 by Penguin, the hardback spans 206 pages and wears its intent on its sleeve. The co...
Post a Comment
Read more