Day 7: UNITED COFFEE HOUSE, New Delhi, India

We had an evening flight back home. Before catching the airport train, we decided to have our last Indian meal at New Delhi. We took the metro to Connaught Place in New Delhi, the commercial and business heart of the Indian capital. Formerly the headquarters of the British Raj, the circular hub has become a busy business and entertainment centre. We exited the metro at one of the exits at the inner circle, and began to walk around the circus in clockwise direction. Many old Georgian buildings were now occupied by retail shops like Nike or Levi’s, electronic and jewellery shops. We attempted to find a place for dinner, saw a few restaurants near a movie cinema, but ended up picking a Indian restaurant with an old school charm judging from its entrance. The restaurant was called United Coffee House, which had been around since 1942. The high ceiling, chandelier dining hall expressed a traditional character of the British Raj. Designed by an American architect who lived in England, the place carried a Victorian and neo-Renaissance feel. Every details such as tapestries and furniture were well attended to. Judging from the first glance it seemed we had traveled back in time. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was magnificent. After a long day of heat and exhaustion, the United Coffee House came as a safe haven for us to rejuvenate ourselves before flying he night flight home. After a satisfying meal and relaxing time at the restaurant, we walked out into the Connaught Place under the glittering neon lights and hype music. We crossed the street and walked down the closest metro entry, swam through the waves of people heading to our opposite direction. The music from the street was getting fainter as we went. It was time for us to bid farewell to India.

Lamb leg marinated with spices in herbs sauce.