The Big Chill Cafe is the dream child of an ex UN Officer and a social activist. The cafe started in the year 2000 in the East of Kailash market in New Delhi. In the beginning all it used to serve was desserts and icecreams and only later on did they start with serving Italian food. Since then there has been no looking back. They now have their cafe’s in Kailash Colony(the one in East of Kailash had to shut down because of sealing) and two in Khan Market. Not once, and at any given point of the day have I seen the cafe empty in the last 3-4 years. Every Delhi foodie knows of this place and is a frequent visitor to this cafe, if not always for the food it’ll be for desserts that they will go back.
As in year 2008 they have a very extensive menu. The menu has salads, pizzas, pastas( baked and otherwise), desserts, icecreams, shakes and coffee. Infact they have over 100 items on their menu.
Now why would I give them just 3 stars out of 5 in food and presentation? This seems to be a then and now story. Then, Big Chill used to have the best pasta’s, super yum pizzas and amazing desserts. Order baked dishes and they would bring you dishes with a lottttt of steaming hot cheese with the right amount of delicious sauce and pasta ofcourse. You’d order pizza and again they would bring you something with a generous amount of cheese, just the right thickness in the crust and generous toppings. What can you say about the desserts. Be it the frozen yoghurts, the various kinds of chocolate shakes, the cakes, you name and they had it and oh it used to taste so delicious. Basically food to die for.
Now let’s talk about the current scenario. Year 2008 i.e. Now let me tell you I have been visiting the place almost every month and that’s how I can present the then and now scenario. Lets talk about the food. Well let’s just say it doesn’t taste that great anymore. For
They put way too much garlic in their food now. Are they getting it for free is what I often wonder. I know italian food has quite a bit of garlic but definitely not the amount they put in.
They have stopped being consisten with their food. A particular dish( Baked penne with mozzarella in red sauce) tastes different every time. Why? Sometimes I see a lot of oil in it, and no I am not talking like a diet conscious girl here, you give me chola bhaturas and I will eat it with all the ghee. The pasta’s seriously have a little too much of oil in them now. Ok so you can ignore the oil. But the salt? Excessive salt since the last 5 times. So much and so that I had to gulp down Sweet Lime Soda after every bite. And this is not the case with me, it’s been so with 4 other people sitting with me. There was a time when I used to keep digging my fork into the cheese and now two bites of the dish and the cheese is gone. So a lot of oil, a lot of salt and less cheese is what I have been getting in pastas. Lets talk about the pizzas . Or well let’s not talk about them. I’d say the indianised dominoes pizzas are far better than what big chill serves. More than often the crust at big chill is burnt. The desserts and icecreams are still just as yum. Infact am craving for the belgian chocolate shake right now. Chilled, sweet and delicious. Super duper yum.
I have a feeling that the food is not upto the mark on weekends when the restaurant is way too crowded. They always have a waiting for about 30 minutes on a weekend, which can be a put off especially when they don’t reserve tables either. I hope that the food hasn’t been that great in the last few times, because these few times have been a weekend and they are way too overworked on the weekend. I hope and pray.
I, personally give a lot more priority to the food in a restaurant in comparison to say the decor, the ambience and the service. I can do with slow service, I can do with sitting under a tree and eating but I can’t do with bad food. But well I guess reviews should talk about everything so here I will present a view on everything,
The Decor: It’s pretty unique and quite nice. They have old and new english movie posters . Infact the big chill, for those who don’t know, is the name of an english movie. You can see the poster of the same in the restaurant and on the menu as well.
The ambience: The decor, the bright colors on the wall, the "specials" colorful board keeps the mood upbeat and happy. I just don’t get what’s with the uncomfortable seating though? It’s a cafe yes but the chairs could have been comfortable.
Customer Service: Somebody please go tell restaurant owners that " paani pilaana punya ka kaam hota hai ". It’s ridiculous that restaurants don’t even serve water to their customers. Apart from this the service is speedy even on rather crowded days( Go on a weekend and you’d have to wait for 30 minutes at least). One thing though, some of the north-eastern waiters they have don’t quite understand english. That is a bit of a problem but otherwise the waiters are very polite and always have a smiling face.
Money: Vegetarian meal for two( includes desserts and shakes) - Avg. Price Rs. 800. I would say the prices aren’t that steep.
Somehow even after all this I am willing to go give Big Chill another chance. Brand loyalty I’d say.:) They’re letting me, and several other people down but I’ve been in love with that place for too long now.
Recommendations( Can suggest only vegetarian as I am strictly vegetarian)
Lebanese Platter anyday of the week.
Go try a "Baked Penne with mozzarella and brocolli in red sauce" on a weekday.
Fusilli in red sauce with mushrooms.
The white sauce pasta with mushrooms.
Lasagne with spinach and cheese.
Belgian chocolate shake
Oreo chocolate shake
Blueberry/any other cheese cake
Frozen yoghurts.
Oh and the raviolis are quite delicious too.
Contact :
: A 68, Khan Market, New Delhi . Ph: 011-41757588
: Till I can find the address the landmarks are: Body Shop, Etam in Khan Market. It’s in the lane where these stores are
: HS - 5, Kailash Colony Market, New Delhi. Ph: 011- 46556828
Food and drinks : Italian
No liquor.