Food & Drink Awards 2025

8 | LUXlife Magazine uthentic Indian restaurant, The Delhi Lounge, is situated in the heart of Dallas and aims to combine the rich and diverse flavours of North India with a contemporary dining experience that resonates with today’s discerning guests. The team at the restaurant takes great pride in honouring timeless recipes using the finest ingredients, refined presentation, and genuine hospitality. The menu reflects the breadth of India’s culinary heritage, crafted with both authenticity, and creativity by the master chefs. In Indian culture, the arrival of a guest is regarded as a blessing — a reflection of the divine. The principle of Atithi Devo Bhava embodies this sentiment, emphasising hospitality, respect, and heartfelt generosity. “At The Delhi Lounge, we are proud to carry forward this timeless philosophy,” a spokesperson for the restaurant tells us. “When we welcome guests into our space, we strive not only to serve them exquisite cuisine, but also to create a genuine experience so warm and memorable that they feel compelled to return time and again.” The Delhi Lounge welcomes a wonderfully diverse community of guests - from second-generation Indian Americans seeking the comfort of their culinary roots, to Caucasian and Native American patrons discovering the depth and vibrancy of Indian cuisine, and to food enthusiasts of every background who appreciate refined, flavour-driven dining. Whether it is an intimate dinner, a weekend outing, a special celebration, or a bespoke catering experience, the restaurant strives to ensure that every visit feels like a warm and memorable journey home. “Innovation, for us, is a continuous conversation between tradition and modernity - a balance between our guests’ evolving tastes and the timeless flavours of India,” explains the spokesperson. “Every dish we serve is rooted in forgotten regional recipes and age-old culinary techniques.” These techniques include cooking exclusively in copper vessels, developing curry bases through meticulous research, and upholding a strict commitment to using no artificial food colours in our kitchen. Our marinades are carefully layered and slow-developed, resting for 24 to 48 hours to allow the deepest, most vibrant flavours to emerge naturally. This dedication to craftsmanship extends beyond the kitchen to The Delhi Lounge’s bar programme too, where signature Indian-inspired cocktails that blend regional spices with house-made syrups and Best Contemporary Indian Fine Dining Restaurant 2025 - Texas For a true fine dining experience with a difference, The Delhi Lounge, based in Irving, pays homage to the flavours of one of the oldest cities in the world. Each dish, painstakingly crafted by skilled chefs, seamlessly bridges the gap between traditional Indian roots and innovative culinary techniques, narrating tales of emperors, poets, and the irresistible allure of Delhi’s streets. We find out more as the restaurant celebrates a win in the Food and Drink Awards 2025. A premium spirits are served, alongside a full bar and a wide selection of draft beers to suit every palate. The restaurant has noticed guests today are moving beyond a generic understanding of “Indian food” and are increasingly seeking out the regional flavours, ingredients, and stories that reflect India’s true diversity. This evolution in taste has created space for more refined, experience-driven dining, allowing restaurants such as The Delhi Lounge to showcase the culinary heritage of Delhi in a contemporary, upscale environment. Yet, the industry continues to navigate its own set of challenges - from fluctuating ingredient costs and staffing shortages to shifting guest expectations. The restaurant meets these pressures with an unwavering commitment to quality over quantity, thoughtful sourcing of premium ingredients, and a focus on craftsmanship that deepens each guest’s connection to the cuisine. Together, these practices guide The Delhi Lounge toward creating not just a restaurant, but a space where culture, authenticity, and hospitality coexist with purpose and grace. Listening closely to guests, honouring seasonality, and drawing inspiration from the creativity of the culinary and beverage teams is of paramount importance. This steadfast commitment to excellence has earned The Delhi Lounge the OpenTable Diner’s Choice Award and recognition as one of the 3 Best Indian Restaurants in North Texas, as well as being named one of the Best Fine Dining Restaurants in the Dallas - Fort Worth Corridor in 2025. More recently, the restaurant gained yet further notable acclaim as it celebrated success in the Food and Drink Awards 2025 where it clinched the prestiogus title of Best Contemporary Indian Fine Dining Restaurant 2025 – Texas. The future of The Delhi Lounge is incredibly exciting, guided by the vision and mentorship of Chef Manjit Singh Gill, the restaurant’s Culinary Director and a legendary figure in Indian gastronomy. His decades of leadership at ITC’s iconic restaurants, including the globally celebrated Bukhara and the royal Dum Pukht, continue to shape our philosophy, techniques, and deep respect for regional culinary traditions. Executive Chef Aishwary Agnihotri carries this legacy forward with precision and artistry. Supporting him is Executive Sous Chef Laxmiprasad Gairola (LPG), with more than 18 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Chef Gairola is celebrated as a curry specialist

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