Jade, the Chinese-Cantonese restaurant located within The Claridges New Delhi, recently celebrated its first anniversary, coinciding with the Chinese New Year, which commenced on January 29. The festivities culminated in the Lantern Festival on February 12, the very day I dined at Jade.
Head Chef Bir Singh created a special menu for the occasion. The restaurant offers a range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, including dim sum and Cantonese specialities. It has a capacity of 90 covers and three private dining rooms. The decor features elements like brass accents, malachite pillars, and artwork, including hand-painted dragons by artist Ankon Mitra.
The Star Dish
The Fresh Shiitake, Shimeji, Bamboo Shoot in Chili Oyster and Wine Sauce was a standout. The rich chilli oyster sauce and the subtle hint of Chinese wine perfectly balanced the earthy notes of the mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Served alongside fragrant Spinach and Truffle Fried Rice, the dish was a comforting combination of textures and flavours. The tender mushrooms and slightly crunchy bamboo shoots were complemented by the savoury rice, with the truffle adding a touch of luxury. While I hadn’t tried this exact preparation before, it carried familiar notes of classic Cantonese stir-fries. However, the quality of the ingredients and the skilful execution, particularly the well-paired rice, made it a standout dish. This dish is worth a visit.
What’s More?
The menu boasted a variety of Cantonese classics. The Vegetable Wonton soup was a light and flavorful start to the meal. The Elephant Lotus with salt and pepper was a delightful small plate, offering a crispy and savoury treat. I also sampled two dim sum options: the Exotic Mushroom, with its medley of shiitake, button, black fungus, and white fungus encased in crystal dough, and the unique Carrot, Truffle Mushroom, and Cream Cheese dumpling, which offered a twist on traditional flavours. For a larger plate, the Mapo Tofu, with its trio of bell peppers, Chinese preserved vegetables, black bean, and Szechuan oil, provided a spicy and flavourful counterpoint to the other dishes. While the signature dish remained a highlight, the overall execution of the dishes reflected the kitchen’s skill, offering a well-rounded dining experience.
What To Sip On?
Jade offers an extensive beverage menu. For those seeking alcoholic options, there’s a range of whiskies, malts, rum, vodka, gin, tequila, beers, wine, champagne, and cocktails. For non-alcoholic drinkers, a selection of mocktails is available, including Passion Delight, Shirley Temple, Dark Surprise, Magic of Lime, Litchi Mocktail, Bitter Mandarin, Virgin Miami Vice, and Cucumber Express. Given the focus on the food, I opted for a traditional Chinese tea, which complemented the meal perfectly.
Vibe Check
The Information
Address: The Claridges, 12, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Rd, Tees January Road Area, Motilal Nehru Marg Area, New Delhi, Delhi 110011
Timings: 12:30 to 11.30 pm
Price for two: INR 8,000