For better or for Verse (Pictured above)The Library Bar, The Leela Palace, New DelhiIf the chattering bubbles of prosecco were condensed to lyrical prose, it would probably read like a sonnet penned in gold; effervescent and sharp, distilled to distract like a lingering memory. With cocktails enjoying more than a spirited moment in tastes and textures, it’s only fair that text pave the next crucible. With Literary Mixology, Volume II, The Leela uses experiential storytelling to drive the narrative of its new cocktail programme, drawing inspiration from celebrated literary works and their authors. Each cocktail offers a contemplative interpretation of the world it inhabits. The haunting emotions of Toni Morrison’s Beloved, translates to a smoky, bittersweet harmony of gin, sake and mezcal to echo love and longing. The distillate uses the saline accent of Parmesan crackers to build on the unity of opposites. Carl Sagan’s Cosmos summons the noir intrigue of boundless imagination with dill-infused gin, tequila, Mastiha, tomato water and Elder flower essence, balanced by the acidity from Supasawa. Eat if you must, but save calories for superlative liquid pleasures.Price: Upwards of Rs. 1,400 per cocktailChumki BharadwajCosy NookBar Stormy, Hyderabad Their bars are the stuff of legend, from Sidecar (World’s 50 Best Bars 2021 and 2022) to The Brook and Cocktails & Dreams Speakeasy. Now, award-winning bartender-owner duo Yangdup Lama and Minakshi Singh have teamed up with Kishore Pallamreddy, Founder of Red Rhino Brewing Co., to open the coolest neighbourhood bar in Hyderabad’s Financial District. The core principles remain the same—superlative drinks, elevated bar snacks, and a relaxed vibe. The bar counter is low, making it all the more convivial. For their first foray into South India, Bar Stormy (named after the classic sailor’s cocktail Dark ‘n’ Stormy), Lama and Singh have concocted 10 Stormy Signatures, based on familiar local flavours like curry leaf and Osmania biscuit (with mood meter and flavour profile). There are also 8 Timeless ’Tails, bestselling drinks from their other bars. The tapas-style food, by Chef Abhishek Halder, is flavour-forward and shareable. There are bar bites like Wai Wai Bhel and Brie on Toast, small plates including Imli & Tuna Crudo and Mushroom Galouti Sliders, and larger plates such as the Hangover Show Mein Bowl, Bone Marrow Nihari Feast and Mutton Lukhmi Phyllo Pie. The Ragi Sticky Toffee Pudding makes for a happy ending.Price: Rs. 2,500 (Meal for two without alcohol)Royal RepastAt Majlis, Noida For long, Osama Jalali has been a chronicler of India’s vanishing culinary heritage. Then he slowly started doing pop-ups to introduce discerning diners to a rare repertoire of lost dishes. Now, he has taken the logical next step with At Majlis, a fine-dine restaurant that transports you back to the kitchens of Mughal royalty. The dcor is regal—think lavish dastarkhwans, exquisite murals and glass-bead curtains that offer private seating.One inspiration behind the food is Noor Jahan, Emperor Jahangir’s consort and the original gourmand—memorialised with a seven-coloured raita here. The other is Jalali’s mother, the keeper of heirloom recipes, who herself was taught by the legendary khansamas of Rampur. Menu highlights include Mewa Mawa Kebab, Murgh Rampuri Seekh, Purani Dilli Fish Fry, Gobhi Musallam, Majlisi Taar Gosht and the Kathal Biryani. But the sweetest surprise comes last—the truly rare Majlisi Gosht Halwa. This is a sweet mutton pudding cooked in saffron and milk—and utterly mesmerising.Price: Rs. 3,000 (Meal for two without alcohol)Address: HA-22, Block A, Sector 104, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201304Contact: +91-9319322188, atmajlisindia@gmail.comTimings: Monday–Sunday, 5:00pm–12:00amHigh TableRYU Oka, Leh The Grand Dragon Ladakh’s new pan-Asian restaurant, RYU Oka, is a heartfelt passion project. For Anjum Qadir, scion of the Abdu family that owns the hotel and the creative force behind the restaurant, this was an opportunity to highlighting Leh’s special place in the storied Silk Route by including cuisines from across Asia. The interiors are inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi—finding beauty in imperfection—with mesmerising murals by Qadir’s father, shibori upholstery designed in-house, rugged walls, delicate lattice screens and warm paper lanterns.The whimsical menu inspired by the seasons includes crowd pleasers like tofu spinach gomae, rock shrimp tempura and sesame prawn toast. There’s a sizeable selection of dimsum and sushi, challenging to pull off at high altitudes, and a conscious effort to include local ingredients like apricot, seabuckthorn, mongol leaves and barley. In line with local tradition, cocktails have a minimal presence but whatever they have conjured up is heady stuff. Save some room for the Vietnamese coffee milk cake and seabuckthorn apple pie.Price: Rs. 5,000 (meal for two with drinks);Where: The Grand Dragon Ladakh, Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh- EndsPublished By: Mansi Published On: Sep 12, 2026 14:57 IST
