Savouring the delicious all-new summer menu at Swan, New Delhi.
Arushi Sakhuja
Delhi's F&B scene is brimming with new and exciting culinary and gastronomic experiences, and while we all want to try something new, sometimes we also like to play it safe with tried and tested dishes. If you lean towards the latter, then we have some news! Swan in Mehrauli now has a new summer menu with some classics and a few new additions.
Nestled in New Delhi's Mehrauli, Swan (part of the Massive restaurant group) is honed for its cheese wheel pasta and terrace ambience. The restaurant that opened pre-pandemic, is still buzzing with action, events and live performances through the week. With a multi-cuisine menu, you can find Italian and Japanese dishes, delicious tipples, and some theatrics.
Recently, I visited the restaurant to try their new summer menu, and all I can say is that I am never disappointed with the flavours of the food and the impeccable hospitality. While you would think it's too hot to sit outdoors in the first week of June, Swan's ambience almost always draws you outdoors. And to my surprise the weather was pleasant.
Swan's new summer menu offers a range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes in addition to their already existing vast menu. From appetisers like melt-in-your-mouth Pork Belly Skewers to Edamame and Asparagus Gyoza to Maki Rolls, Thin and crunchy crust pizza, fresh pasta, Robata Grills and Zucchini Lasagne, the menu ensure you just can't stop.
To begin the meal I ordered my staple Parisian Style G&T ( for those who want a mocktail pick the orange mojito) Avocado Crostini, Pork Belly Swekers, Baked Pesto Chicken and Edamame and Asparagus Gyoza. The highlight for me was the perfectly cooked pork with a delicious glaze and a side of some creamy sauce. Alternatively, for vegetarians, I highly recommend the Edamame and Asparagus Gyoza which is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Both were bang on in terms of flavour and you can't ever go wrong with an Avocado Crostini.
While the portion size was generous and I was quite full already I couldn't wait to head onto the mains. And what better than Italian? A paper-thin non-vegetarian pizza and pasta tossed in a creamy parmesan sauce. The Pollo Arrosto Aglio Olio was thin, light and super crisp with a balance of. cheese and sauce and a hefty serving of smoked chicken and sausage on top. To compliment the dish we have the signature cheese wheel pasta the Conchiglie Lombardy. Adding theatrics to the experience the chef brought out a gigantic wheel of parmesan and freshly made pasta in front of us. If you've been here you would be well-versed with this experience and if not, please don't return without trying the dish! The pasta was absolutely spot-on and just the perfect indulgent dish for comfort food. To top it off and enhance the flavours you can opt to add truffle oil too.
And no matter how full I was a dessert stomach always makes you crave a sweet ending. While I was leaning towards the classic Warm Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie with Ice Cream, Nitesh highly recommended the Classic French Toast and I went with the suggestion. Here too some theatrics and live cooking were involved. The dessert was cooked live, a thick piece of brioche bread was cooked in butter until nicely brown and served with a side of maple syrup, almond brittle and ice cream and all I can say is I couldn't stop. I thought I'd have just a bite but the spongy bread with perfectly balanced savoury and sweet flavours couldn't stop me from digging in and whipping the BIG dessert clean.
Overall, I would say Swan has never disappointed me and I do have a few classics, but every time I go I will make it a point to try something new. Because this place never really gets old. A big shoutout to Nitesh for his service and recommendations that made my experience all the more enjoyable.