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Dining Savour European Goodness At DiGhent Cafe At Khan Market, New Delhi
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Savour European Goodness At DiGhent Cafe At Khan Market, New Delhi

From coffee to fresh bakes, DiGhent Cafe at Khan Market is an inviting cafe with an evident European flavour mixed into the brew.

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By: Bayar Jain Published: Jan 04, 2022 04:57 PM IST

Savour European Goodness At DiGhent Cafe At Khan Market, New Delhi
Photo Courtesy: DiGhent Cafe

From conversations to coffee and fresh bakes, DiGhent Cafe at Khan Market, New Delhi is an inviting cafe with an evident European flavour mixed into the brew. We stop by at the chain’s second outpost to sample its delicacies. By Bayar Jain

As a resident of Gurugram, you’re bound to have heard of DiGhent Cafe located in Cross Point Mall. The cafe, set up by the jovial entrepreneur and philanthropist Bal DiGhent, has long floored diners with its cosy cottage-inspired ambience, European charm, and strong sense of community. Their delicious food and ever-smiling staff complete the humble abode. One balmy winter afternoon, I decide to experience a slice of this mellow living at its Khan Market branch, DiGhent Cafe’s latest outpost. 

Ambience

 

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A quick climb up narrow stairs leads me to a wooden space reminiscent of signature European cottages. The decor is simple and clutter-free—a philosophy that Bal wishes to harbour within the premises. Think Earthy wooden interiors accentuated by potted plants and towering bookshelves on either side of the cosy cafe. I eye the five-seater community table and beeline for one of its white stools. To my left and beyond the shelved windows, I see bright green trees with New Delhi’s signature yellow-green auto-rickshaws plying the road. To my right, however, a touch of Europe resides. The marbled counter is backdropped by a brick wall lined by glasses of various sizes. A coffee machine oozing with heavenly smells and a small portable speaker echoing jazz tunes completes this side. Another wall, I notice, has fresh bakes on display. Think, loaves, rolls, biscotti jars, and more. However, it’s the three glass jars tucked in the corner of the counter that pique my interest.

Labelled ‘Food’, ‘Medical’, and ‘Education’, the three jars are a part of DiGhent Cafe’s Giving Circle. Diners at the restaurant can choose to donate to any—or all three—verticals and contribute towards Mission 44 Million, Bal’s philanthropic initiative that aims to aid  the villages of Delhi, Gurgaon, and nearby.

Food

 

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The menu has all the classic European cafe dishes you can name. Think sourdough, bagels, croissants, eggs, waffles, crêpes, ravioli, coffees, teas, smoothies, and more. The nip in the air compels me to settle with an Eeklo soup. Out comes a luscious green soup that celebrates all thing leafy. The freshness of the spinach and asparagus is evident from the first slurp, while the bits of parmesan lend the dish a happy undertone. The accompanying garlic bread, however, steals the show. Made fresh, the bread is baked to perfection and melts-in-the-mouth without leaving behind a drying aftertaste in the mouth—an otherwise common pressure point with breads.

Next up is the Guislain panini. DiGhent Cafe offers paninis in three breads: whole wheat ciabatta, multigrain, and—my choice for the day—homemade olive focaccia. The freshly-cut tomato, grilled zucchini, colourful bell peppers of the layered dish have a nice bite; the homemade sun-dried tomato sauce, to me, could do with a little bit more herbaceosness. Luckily, the soft olive focaccia makes up for this miss and I wipe my plate clean.

 

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Giving in to the array of drinks on offer, I choose to pair my meal with a lemon mint soda, and Sunshine Juice. While the former stays true to its name and refreshes my palate with its zesty flavours and generous mint garnishes, the latter surprises me with its unique flavour combination. The fresh orange juice pairs well with the zing of ginger and soothing flavours of the turmeric—a combination that leaves me inspired. For mains, I dig into a homely plate of Kraaidam risotto. The arborio rice is doused heavily in butter and parmesan cheese, and comes intermingled with a generous amount of button mushrooms.

When at DiGhent Cafe, leave some space for dessert. The cafe crafts a heavenly serving of tiramisu—a dessert, I feel, that can be too tricky to nail. Served in a glass and garnished with hazelnuts, the caffeine treat is bittersweet indulgences done right. The mascarpone is light, the kahlua is not empowering, and the cocoa cuts through the coffee’s bitterness. The balance of flavours is on point, easily making this treat one of the best tiramisus I’ve ever had.

Address: 23, Khan Market, Rabindra Nagar, New Delhi
Timings: Monday to Sunday, 8 am to 9 pm.
Price for two: INR 1,200 for two people (approx.)

Related: Say Xin Chào To CHÔ, New Delhi’s Hottest New Vietnamese Kitchen And Bar

Written By

Bayar Jain

Bayar Jain

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