Latest news with #Sahil
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
The Taste by Vir Sanghvi: Delhi welcomes new eateries, but dining experience falls short
There is good news and there is bad news. The good news is that many new restaurants have opened in Delhi this year. Once upon a time all the openings were in Gurgaon which was not great for Delhi people who did not want to brave traffic jams of much more than an hour or get stuck in water-logged roads for the three months of the year when Gurgaon becomes some Haryanvi's idea of Atlantis, the undersea kingdom. Delhi sees new restaurant openings but quality remains a concern.(Unsplash (representative image)) The bad news is that most of the newish Delhi restaurants are not much better than those in Gurgaon where the average standard is pretty dismal. The National Capital Region (NCR), which is basically Delhi plus Gurgaon plus Noida (which is the one part of Uttar Pradesh that nobody bothers to travel to for the food), has nothing on Mumbai or Bangalore where great new restaurants keep opening. Oh yes, Delhi is very good at the top of the market (Bukhara, Indian Accent, China Kitchen, Dum Pukht, 360, Shang Palace, etc) and the dhaba food can be wonderful. But at the middle of the market very few outstanding restaurants have opened in the last few years. If you want a reliable place to go to, the 50-year-old favourites (United Coffee House, Kwality etc) are still your best options. I know because even though I keep trying to eat at home when I am in Delhi, on the grounds that I eat out all the time when I am travelling, I have forced myself to explore the restaurant scene over the last two months in the interests of keeping my readers well informed. (Which is not to say that every bad meal I have had to endure is your fault, dear reader, only to inform you of the sacrifices I make for the sake of this column.) There have been some good experiences. Sahil Mehta, who is to the patisserie scene in India what Cedric Grolet is to France, has opened the Paris Coffeehouse in Greater Kailash Two market. Of course it's wonderful because Sahil is incapable of making any patisserie that is less than excellent. But it's a small cafe that depends entirely on Sahil's skills and not a full fledged restaurant. And then there is Mesa in the Lodhi Colony Market (apologies to those who live outside the NCR but all Delhi localities have strange names like these) which is a relaxed oasis of casual dining. (Dos, Tres, and Jamun are popular options.) My wife and I wandered in one day for lunch and were pleasantly surprised. Mesa is run by a young chef called Sandeep Namboodiry, who once worked with the great Manish Mehrotra (after I posted about my meal at Mesa on Instagram, Manish messaged to say how talented Sandeep was), but sticks (mostly) to a modern European menu here. Not everything works brilliantly— he doesn't have the oven required to make the greatest pizzas, though his were not bad, and his Japanese omelette was not much more than acceptable— but there's enough delicious food to make me want to go back. You can see real skill on display here and Sandeep is a chef to watch. This counts for something because I don't think Delhi has as many talented chefs as, say, Mumbai. And unfortunately, even when Delhi chefs have talent, the restaurants are badly run. A few months ago I went to Cala, an unassuming neighbourhood restaurant in Panchsheel Park. The European food was far better than anyone had a right to expect. The pizzas were good, the pasta was authentic and a sophisticated prawn dish stole the show. The chef appeared to serve the dessert (also good) and when I asked about his background, said he had worked at Masque in Mumbai. Encouraged by that experience I booked for lunch last Sunday. When we arrived the solitary server in the dining room asked if I had a reservation. I said I did and gave my name. I don't know why he bothered to ask because he didn't look up any list of reservations but just led us out of the restaurant to an outside area where a low hung shamiana had been erected. I remembered the outside area because we sat there last time. This time, presumably because it was hot, it had been covered with this makeshift shamiana. It was dark (either they had no lights or they had not bothered to put them on) claustrophobic and the tables had not even been set. I asked why this was our only option given that I had booked the day before. The server had no idea. I said we could not possibly eat here and left. He seemed unconcerned. Perhaps the restaurant is closing down and they don't care about guests. Because nobody who wants to stay in the hospitality business can afford this kind of attitude. Stuck for a place to have lunch, I looked up Plats, which many people have praised, on the net , found the number and called. Nobody answered. I then called Indy at Eldeco centre. This is run by the people behind QLA, a restaurant I like. They answered the phone promptly but said they were full. Resisting the urge to take the easy way out and find a hotel restaurant or to return to one of our two go-to places for Sunday lunch (Cafe C at Chanakya and Cha Shi, both of which are excellent) we decided to try our luck at the new bustling Eldeco Centre in Malaviya Nagar, where there are many other restaurants apart from Indy. Nearly every place was full. There were crowds of hungry Bengalis outside 6 Ballygunge Place and the Arts Room was packing them in. But we roamed the corridors till we found a table at a Japanese restaurant called Hikki which I had never heard of. It is a relatively plush place that is well managed and because it is more expensive draws an older average diner than most of the Eldeco restaurants. For all that, there were some basic mistakes. The tables are lit with overhead lamps that come down dangerously low which, I guess, is a stylistic touch favoured by someone with dodgy taste. But, more crucially, all of the lighting has been designed by a person who has never heard of Instagram. The low-hanging lamps throw shadows on the food so that you can't take pictures and they also make the guests look strangely ugly. The food is hit and miss. The prawn tempura was good with high quality frying but this was not true of the chicken karaage. The gyoza had an oily slippery feel to them. And even by the standards of junk sushi, the nigiri was a disgrace, made with rice that was so dry they could well have cooked it a week ago. The meal was redeemed by an interesting noodle dish which was made carbonara style (like the pasta) and powered with the addition of Korean gochujang paste. To the credit of the servers, they quietly took the karaage off the bill when they saw we had wasted it. Clearly, they mean well. And to be fair, by the time we left, the restaurant was full. Perhaps they will get their act together: they need some urgent changes in the kitchen and they need to get someone who understands lighting to redo the lamps in the dining room. So, nothing inspiring to report. But I shall keep looking. At some stage, some thing really good will turn up. Or so I hope!
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Surat crypto trader duped of Rs 28.8L in USDT scam
Surat: A 46-year-old crypto trader from Mahidharpura in the city, Hasmukh Patel, was allegedly duped of Rs 28.80 lakh in a USDT (a form of cryptocurrency) trading scam involving individuals based in India and Dubai. Mahidharpura police have registered a case and launched an investigation. Patel, who had been trading in USDT for the past year, had travelled to Dubai for business, where he was introduced to a trader named Imran Polra through a contact, Latifbhai. After returning to Surat, Patel continued trading via a crypto app and stayed in touch with Polra. According to the FIR, three months ago, Polra introduced Patel to another trader, Sahil alias Raul, assuring him that Sahil would handle the payment for a USDT transaction. Sahil requested USDT worth Rs 29.80 lakh and informed Patel that the payment would be processed through a trader named Kunal, based in Sachin. Trusting the arrangement, Patel transferred the USDT to Sahil. He later visited Kunal, who told him that he would release the payment only after receiving a confirmation message from Sahil. However, Kunal subsequently refused to make the payment, claiming he never received any such message. Despite multiple follow-ups, Patel did not receive the promised funds, prompting him to file a police complaint against Polra and Sahil. Mahidharpura police have initiated an investigation and are verifying the crypto transactions and communications between the parties involved.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Love, lies & loot: Bengaluru man trapped, robbed after being lured on gay dating app
A 31-year-old man's attempt to connect on a gay dating app turned into a harrowing experience after he was lured, confined, and robbed by a known rowdy-sheeter in the city. Police have arrested two suspects in the case, reported TOI. The victim, Sahil (name changed), a private company employee from north Bengaluru, had downloaded the dating app after browsing LGBTQ platforms online. The app charged a minimal fee of ₹1 for a three-day pass. Within a day, he was contacted by a user named "Sufi", who revealed his face over a video call and asked Sahil to share his phone number for further conversation, as per the TOI report. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics PGDM Cybersecurity Public Policy Degree healthcare Others Digital Marketing CXO Design Thinking Healthcare Leadership Data Science MBA Technology Project Management others Finance Product Management Data Science Operations Management Management MCA Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details The two agreed to meet on July 5 in Govindpura. Sufi led Sahil to a shed near a paying guest accommodation in Vyalikaval Layout. Soon after they entered, a man claiming to be the shed's owner stormed in and accused Sahil of engaging in illegal activity. He snatched Sahil's phone while another man joined in and began assaulting him. Sufi, who had initiated the meeting, stood by as the attack unfolded. When Sahil tried to escape, Sufi restrained him. It was then that Sahil realised Sufi was part of the group. The attackers demanded access to his digital wallet and threatened to kill him if he refused. Under duress, Sahil transferred ₹1,000. They further forced him to call friends and extract another ₹2,260 before allowing him to leave. Distressed and fearing social stigma, Sahil initially chose not to report the incident. On July 9, he approached the police and filed a complaint. Based on his report, police arrested 26-year-old Sufiyan alias Sufi and his 24-year-old accomplice Mateen. A third suspect is absconding. Live Events Investigators revealed that Sufiyan has a criminal background, including an attempted murder charge, and is known for using dating apps to target and extort individuals. The case has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 309 (robbery).
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Hooked & robbed: Man duped on gay dating app by rowdy
Bengaluru: In a bizarre blend of romance and deception, a 31-year-old man looking for love on a gay dating app ended up getting lured, locked up, and robbed by a rowdy-sheeter. The victim, Sahil (name changed), a private firm employee and resident of north Bengaluru, had only just downloaded a dating app he found while exploring LGBTQ platforms online. The app seemed harmless enough: just one rupee for a three-day access pass. Within a day of joining, Sahil attracted interest from a user named Sufi. "As soon as I accepted the interest, Sufi made a video call to me through the app, revealing his face and asking for my mobile number to take our friendship further by going offline." The two agreed to meet on July 5 in Govindpura. But what Sahil thought would be a casual date quickly spiralled into a nightmare. Sufi led him to a shed near a paying guest accommodation in Vyalikaval Layout. Moments later, chaos unfolded. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru A man claiming to be the shed's owner barged in and began accusing Sahil of engaging in illegal activity. Without warning, he snatched Sahil's phone. Another man joined in, and the two began roughing him up while Sufi watched. Just when Sahil thought of escaping, Sufi grabbed him and pulled him back in. That's when Sahil learnt the truth: Sufi wasn't just a bad date, he was part of the gang. The men demanded access to his digital wallet and PIN. When Sahil resisted, they threatened to kill him. Out of fear, he transferred Rs 1,000 to them. But they forced him to call his friends and arrange more money, extorting another Rs 2,260 before finally letting him go. Ashamed and shaken, Sahil stayed silent for days as he was haunted, not only by the assault but also the stigma attached to being duped on a gay dating app. But on July 9, he finally mustered the courage to file a police complaint. Acting on the complaint, cops arrested 26-year-old Sufiyan alias Sufi and his 24-year-old associate Mateen. A third accused is on the run. Cops say Sufi is a rowdy-sheeter with an attempted murder case against him, and a history of using dating apps to trap and extort unsuspecting victims. A senior police officer confirmed the case has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 309 (robbery).
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Stunt goes wrong at popular tourist spot as car falls in 300-foot gorge in Maharashtra; driver critical
A car stunt at a tourist spot in Maharashtra's Satara district took an unexpected turn after the SUV fell into a 300-foot deep gorge, critically injuring the driver. The video captured the moment when the car lost control and fell in the gorge.(X/The Skin Doctor) The incident reportedly took place in Karad's popular Table Point on the Patan-Sadavaghapur, when Sahil Anil Jadhav and his four friends were visiting the area, popular for its scenic waterfalls. Sahil, 26, who was driving the Hyundai Venue, started performing the stunt while his friend recorded a video. While Sahil started attempting the car stunt in reverse gear, the vehicle lost control and fell into the deep gorge. The video captured the moment of the fall and is now viral on social media. Also Read: Truck topples during road inspection in Maharashtra's Beed | On video The driver was rescued, however, he suffered severe injuries due to the fall. He is currently lodged in Sahyadri Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment, according to Times Now. According to doctors, his condition remains critical. The police have also registered a case regarding the incident. Table point, located along the Patan-Sadavaghapur, is a popular tourist spot, famous for its picturesque terrain. The flat terrain flanked by deep valleys is famous for its inverted waterfall view and attracts numerous tourists. The lush greenery and panoramic views make the spot popular among tourists for weekend drives.
