Blanco, Khan Market
If you are like me, at Khan Market after a couple of years gap or are not a regular to Khan Market then you will also be confused by the address for Blanco. Its in the middle lane, which once upon a time was the area which was used by all the shops as a dumpyard plus one big open dustbin. But once we Dilliwallahs figured out that Khan Market is the most expensive retail space then there was no dearth of people queueing up to get a chunk of that retail to position their brand as the most upmarket of all. The sudden transformation of the junk lane to the most hip and happening street housing the most expensive and exclusive is still a bit of a s(h)ock!!!! If you’re coming from Lodhi Road side, then cut across from Dayal Opticians and take a left into the middle lane and if you’re coming from the Prithviraj Road side then cut through the chemist shop and take a right in the middle lane.
Quick review – decent food of uncertain cuisine, good size portions, serves alcohol, expensive, accepts credit cards, very good service, good atmosphere and bright clean decor, well kept and clean ladies loo.
Quick verdict – despite not so good reviews a popular place especially in the evenings, usually quiet at lunchtimes during weekdays, can go for meetings as the chairs are uncomfortable so it keeps you on the edge (of the seat balancing your butt)
Longer review – I went there for lunch with a client I had to wine and dine. Radi recommended it strongly as she and her gang hang out there regularly in the evenings. I reached by 12:30 and left my driver to figure out the parking coz there was no space. I found the place easily as I know Dayal, and climbed up the small staircase which they have smartly done up in bright white and placed huge circular mirrors to avoid inducing claustrophobia. On first sight I really liked the look of the place with bright white walls and furniture and chairs, sunlight streaming in. After the scorching heat and yellow dusty brown outside, you feel as if you’ve stepped into an cool and clean idyll. The place was empty so I got to pick the table I wanted. I decided to sit next to the windows, which turned out to be a mistake as the chairs (benches) didnt have a back rest. There wasn’t time to change as my client walked in but the tables with the pretty wrought iron chairs were squeezed together and this was the only other option so I stayed put…..
We ordered Vietnamese Crisp Prawn rolls for starters, which was an interesting flavour but I am reasonably sure that there was not much Vietnamese about it. I ordered Chicken Breast with Mushroom & Cheese and my client ordered Slow roasted chicken with vegetables and mashed potatoes. My dish was fine, not divine but not bad also. My clients food reached the table cool and rapidly became cooler as we ate so he ended up having a wrestling match with the food trying to slice it delicately. Being a well travelled man, he asked the waiter for a steak knife which they didnt have. We didnt stick around for desserts coz our meeting was rapidly degenerating from a polite fight to a spirited argument, which I regretted coz I had been so looking forward to the desserts. By the time we signed the check the place had filled up with lots and lots of women, and both of us took a minute off our argument to comment on that.
Overall – ok, worth a dekko
