These days, whenever I hear about a new opening in Delhi, the expected addresses include M Block Market, Khan Market, Priya Market, or Eldeco Centre. And when the news reached me that a restaurant had chosen a standalone address where people would solely drive down to dine, I was curious and surprised.
Not only because they were sailing against the current tide but because their choice was one that showed that they were confident about what they were doing. That is the story of Louve, one of Delhi’s most luxurious openings, bringing a slice of Europe to the capital at 1, Humayun Road.
What truly stood out for me before the food landed on the table was how Louve is a space for all. From the outdoor cabanas to the grand indoors, the restaurant is well-suited for every occasion— from a long overdue catch-up with friends or a meal with your girls to a dinner date with a loved one, or a grand family gathering.
Star Dish
I have a peculiar reservation about beautiful restaurants: in my head, they often risk letting the ambience (more than the menu) steal the show. But Louve did everything it could to turn down this hypothesis.
While I enjoy taking risks in matters related to food, I’d rather start slowly and safely. And hence, for starters, I ordered the truffle brie crostini, which turned out to be the highlight of my evening. The dish featured crispy artichoke chips topped with a hearty layer of mascarpone cheese and truffle shavings.
While the dish did nothing out of the box and was the coming together of usual ingredient pairings—cheese and truffle—it tasted like something you would want to eat when all you want is something familiar yet flavourful. In an age when chefs and restaurants are constantly experimenting with ingredients, the dish was a reminder of how simple, everyday combinations can really go a long way.
Food menu
Helming the kitchen at Louve is Chef Selim Fidan, who claims to have brought the best of French and Mediterranean influences to his dishes. If there was one dish that truly stood out for me apart from the crostini, it was the lasagna quattro formaggi. I am a lasagna lover, to the point that I bake it at least once every two weeks and have spent months perfecting the kind that I truly enjoy. And the one served at Louve is truly worth the drive.
The burrata and truffle pizza, no matter how done to death it is, is never a bad idea. And the one served at Louve is worth trying too. My co-diner ordered their pastachio lamb chop, and I was told it was better than many others he had enjoyed in Delhi.
Another preparation worth talking about is their chittara cacio e peppe. While it was my time attempting a bite of the Roman pasta, I thought it was very well done. While many claim it is one of the toughest pastas to crack, owing to just three ingredients, I would say Louve, with the right amount of sauciness and the perfect kick of black pepper, cracked it right.
The one place where Louve didn’t really land for me was with their desserts. I tried the Louve meringue cake for starters. The humongous slice featured lemon curd, torched meringue, and a vanilla cake. You could call it a dislike for lemon curd, but that ruined the dessert for me. I thought that the vanilla and meringue didn’t need the tang that the curd added to the dessert. To put the restaurant through my dessert tester, I went in to try their Belgian ruby chocolate— a safer choice.
The ruby chocolate, loaded with macadamia nuts and paired with vanilla gelato, was a face-saving preparation after the meringue cake, but it was nothing I hadn’t tasted before. You could try your luck with their tiramisu or the blueberry creme brule. Desserts define a meal for me, but the ones at Louve didn’t quite impress.
Drinks Menu
Inspired by the Greek philosophy of Anima Mundi, the cocktail program at Louve has been designed by head mixologist, Vasile Dorofeev. Just like the space, the cocktail roster offers something for every mood. I went on a happy day so Epicure was my pick. The cocktail featuring avocado vodka, carbonated grapes, and sour soda was lightly fruity and smooth with every sip. I liked it but would I try it another time, probably not.
However, a drink that I will definitely pick from the roster even the second time I visit Louve would be equilibrium. When I told Dorofeev that I wasn’t a big fan of the first one, he very enthusiastically flipped the page and said, “then you will like this,” and like I did. The gin-based cocktail featured elderflower and fig that rendered floral and herbal notes to the cocktail. For me, it was a refreshing interlude between all the cheese and truffle.
Apart from craft cocktails, Louve offers an exhaustive range of classic spirits, mocktails, coffee, and tea.
Read more: If You’re A Dessert Enthusiast, Wakamé Will Leave You Spoiled For Choice
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