DANDY – The Fio Bar Will Have You Come Back For Its Interesting Drinks

Dining

DANDY – The Fio Bar Will Have You Come Back For Its Interesting Drinks & Bar Bites

As if the Fio brand hadn’t wooed Delhites enough already with its timeless and suave concepts (do we really need to mention Fio Cookhouse & Bar and Fio Country Kitchen & Bar?), it once again decided to sweep us all off our feet with its newest addition, DANDY – The Fio Bar. Nuzzled in a quiet corner of the buzzing Epicuria Food Mall in Nehru Place, the restro-bar is determined on showing you a ‘dandy’ time. The lights here are dim-not-dingy, the cocktail-game strong, the music smooth, the food delicious, and the vibe just right. Our lookout for a fancy yet intimate restro-bar space ends here. By Sushmita Srivastav

Reaching for the door to enter DANDY – The Fio Bar, expect a lot of greenery on your way in. The little al fresco area welcomes you with bricked walls, a variety of seating ranging right from high chairs to couches, and candles on tables rightly complimenting the soft lights; and leads you to a similar indoor setting. Everything inside, including the huge bar section, is breezy. Neither cramped, nor colossal—the intimate sitting space is just the right size to both having a conversation over cocktails or grooving to the soft music.

Speaking of cocktails, (and we can’t stress on this enough!), the Fio family is once more creating magic with its quintessential and crafted summer drinks. If you too dig the good old Bloody Mary like we do, try ditching it for DANDY’s version of the classic, and we promise you won’t feel guilty about your new-found affair. Giving it all away in the name, Jalakaffir Mary is Jalapeno-infused vodka and kaffir lime mixed with some tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper and salt—a tangy concoction with a tad bit fiery in it. Move on to the Dandy-Lion, which is some Gin, mixed berry reduction, lemon juice and egg white stirred up to perfection, and served with the word ‘DANDY’ floating on the top (no kidding)! The foamy, berry-red signature drink definitely deserve a try. Next up, say hello to ‘Hey Juniper’—the gin-based preparation infused with Elder flower, and mixed with honey mandarin liqueur and dry vermouth. Looks pretty, tastes good—totally wins the game.

But in case you are feeling particularly adventurous, DANDY also has a unique spin on letting you DIY your cocktail. Pick from homemade cordial or kombucha, and add your favourite flavoured Gin or vodka (strawberry & basil; hibiscus & celery—options are enough), to get your glass of perfect infusion!

But don’t just get hung upon the drinks, for the food menu is no less tempting. Pick for starters, the Phyllo Tazza—little fit-in-mouth crispy cups that come in with a filling of goat cheese topped with variety of pickles. For best bar bites, go for Broccoli Beetroot Sliders. Don’t fret, as much as healthy these may sound, there are no compromises made on the taste area. Crunchy Lemon Pepper Squid comes dressed in delicious goodness, and leaves you wanting for more.

For mains, don’t think twice before asking for a Dandy Charlie Non-Veg Platter. Think Spit-Fire Chicken, Tamarind Butter Sole, Butterfly Prawns, and Lamb Polpette served in one plate—in short, a heavenly serving for non vegetarians. One can go for the Vegetarian version as well that includes Phyllo Tazza, Truffled Mushroom Croquettas, Spiced Ronda Potato, and Asparagus Spears. Also, try their yummiest thin-crusted, wood-fired pizzas. We picked two: Pepperoni and Feta & Mushroom, and we couldn’t have been happier about our choices. End your feast with a Tiramisu San Gimiano or Chocolate Cremeux for a happy ending.