Tiramisu is one dessert that can work wonders for you if you’re in a messed up mood or if you’re going on a first date. Simply put, I believe that this is the best dessert humanity has ever developed (though I’m not doubting an alien hand into it!!)
Simply saying a Tiramisu by definition is “A classic Venetian dessert with coffee, cream and a lovely light sponge” at least Jamie Oliver feels that. But a good Tiramisu is much more than that. I usually judge a North Indian restaurant with the quality and taste of it’s Dal Makhni (not butter chicken!!) and a good South Indian Restaurant with the quality of it’s Dahi Bada (and not Sambar!!, but to be frank, this one’s backfired a few times..) Coming back to Tiramisus, I judge any place serving exotic or continental desserts by its’ Tiramisu and the best ones I’ve had were pure surprises. Having learnt the art of a perfect Tiramisu by an Italian Pastry Chef during my stint in London, I’ve tried to perfect the art at my own little venture but haven’t tasted success but I”ve definitely been bowled over by a few I’ve had and to be very frank I’ve mostly been disappointed with the Tiramisus I’ve had with reputed five stars (Yes , though I won’t name any, this is my first blog, not my last!)
I look for a few things in a perfect Tiramisu, from the consistency of the perfect Mascarpone to the lightness of the sponge and the finger biscuits which a lot of Indian places don’t use. And most important a good sweet wine in it like the Good old sweetened coffee vin santo (Italian dessert wine) or my personal favorite, Kalua. But if you can’t get hold of either, a dessert wine would do.
So here’s my list of the best Tiramisus in North India… Be surprised, be amazed and start your meal with a dessert..
10. Café 1947, Manali
I stumbled upon this cute little restaurant in Old Manali in desperate need of a good coffee (it was so cold that day that my only criteria was a hot one) though to be frank, I liked their tagline which said, “Eating is no choice but taste is” they have a guitar and a sitar hanging inside (they were quite brave to allow me to play the guitar) the location is excellent and the sound of the river is just mesmerizing. I’d left my hotel after a heavy breakfast but still could not resist having their Tiramisu at 11:30 in the morning. The Tiramisu comes with a generous helping of Vanilla Ice Cream (which isn’t required). What I liked in this tiramisu was the airy and fluffy sponge which just melts in your mouth. They could use a little more liquor to give it the kick.
9. Ramana’s Organic Café, Rishikesh
I was born in Dehradun, though I actually belong to Rishikesh and have spent a substantial amount of my childhood here. I’ve always found it very delightful to see the little cafes which have sprung out around the Ram Jhoola and the Lakshman Jhoola, some right next to the river.
This vegan café makes it to my list for two simple reasons first that it works for the betterment of orphans, a place where they are involved in the functioning of the café and you find volunteers silently helping in the running of the place and secondly, there’s something about a rooftop restaurant.
When my friend ordered the Coconut Tiramisu, I was disgusted to the core. This was a vegan place so no eggs, no alcohol and to top it up putting coconut in a Tiramisu was like destroying the whole idea of a tiramisu.
Our Tiramisu was served to us by a Swedish volunteer at the Café. And she sweetly said
“This is for the little ones” while serving us. The dedication, purpose and the love with which this Tiramisu was served to us leaves me as a no one to judge this particular place. But to be honest, I was surprised with the taste and even traded the Brownie I d ordered for myself with my friend for it. All chefs don’t need five stars Michelin stars to shine.
And there’s a Pizza Party every Saturday with a “Saturday Night Movie” from 6-9 PM.. I already know where I’m spending my Saturday evenings when I go to Rishikesh next.
8. Artusi Ristorante e Bar, M Block, GK-II, New Delhi
If you want a taste of Truly Italian Tiramisu, this is the place where you got to be. Not many places in India use the finger cookies that are a part of a real Tiramisu. It reminded me of my friend Michell who taught me a Tiramisu trading it for a Chicken Tikka Masala recipe from me. Artusi would have made it way later (and pretty close to the top) in my list only if the cookies could have been a bit bitter and the price a little cheaper (but then I was in GK!!) also the usage of Brandy for a choice of liquor was pretty evident and could have been avoided.
But if you aren’t a food critic.. You might just believe it to be the best tiramisu in town!
7. Little Italy, Jaipur
Viva La Fiesta. What happens when you’re in Jaipur, the land of Dal, Bati and Choorma along with some Lal Maas et al and you crave a nice Pasta, even a simple spaghetti with some basil thrown in would do. We all know that Jaipur is buzzing with a Gastronomical makeover these days, but never in my wildest thought I’d ever imagined to bump into this place. Don’t expect the truly authentic Tiramisu here but having the freshly baked focaccia with a beer and a spaghetti before I had my tiramisu really ensured I had a good nights sleep.
6. Tonino, Andheria More, New Delhi
Frankly, I wasn’t very keen on Tonino thanks to a friend who had found this place very bland and boring but when I went inside I was stunned with the beautiful calmness and aura of the place. If someone wants to ask out his/her loved one for marriage, then ladies and gents, this is the right place. Sadly, I was here to avoid a breakup.
Tiramisu makes an awesome Trifle, and Tonino was the first Indian place I thought really did justice to the fact. Each and every layer of this beautiful trifle is sure to bowl you over with the creaminess of the Mascarpone to the richness of the chocolate used and not to forget, the coffee kicks in at the right time.
I dropped my Ex to the nearest metro station and went back to Tonino’s for another Tiramisu and guess what, it works perfectly for a broken heart too!!
5. Zerruco by Zilli, The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi
One of the only two five stars to make it to my list, and the only time I had been to the Ashok Hotel was at the exhortingly priced Sagar Ratna here or to attend a rich relative’s wedding. Zerruco by Zilli happened purely as a coincidence when I debated with a few friends about how snobby yet disgraceful Delhi’s five stars are becoming. I didn’t go to this place with very high expectations and my first two courses were excellent but nothing that would bowl me over, as my friends had suggested. But when I saw the Tiramisu, I said to myself, this has to be the sexiest Tiramisu in the country. Served in a classy Martini glass makes it a showstopper, and the taste, texture, and flavor won’t let it down either. The best part is that it doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket. Too bad that I wasn’t on a date when I tried this Tiramisu. It still gives me a cheeky smile.
4. Lhamo’s Croissant, Mc Leodganj, Dharamsala
I was quite impressed with the co-owner of this little café which seems decently huge once you step in on Bhagsu Road. A Tibetan guy who only spoke about his love for peace and good food with his Pomeranian Simba playing cheekily on the rooftop terrace of this beautiful restaurant. After having a coffee, a fresh green salad, and freshly baked garlic bread. I asked DK to suggest to me his best dessert and boy, didn’t he read my mind. I was served their version of a Tiramisu, to my surprise it had Kalua and for someone who hadn’t had his culinary training professionally, it was just too awesome.. Though not perfect in the texture, it made up pretty well on the taste.
3. Ivy & Bean, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi
I was coaxed into trying this place thanks to my sister, though I’m not a big fan and advocate of desserts like Tiramisus or Cheesecakes being served in a Jar, but that’s the fashion statement these days. It takes away the art of making a perfect cheesecake or a Tiramisu. Balancing the dessert with the right amount of gelatin or eggs is also an art which is taken away in a Jar. But Ivy & Bean’s version of the famed Tiramisu changed my perception with the first bite (and a bit before that too) The layers are beautifully designed inside the little Jar and it made me wonder how did they manage to place every layer so perfectly. The right amount of Kalua ensured I didn’t leave unhappy at all.
2. The Big Chill Café, Khan Market, New Delhi
This is where it all started, I had my first Tiramisu more than a decade back on my first ever real date. I didn’t know much about the Tiramisu then but perhaps the Tiramisu and the Banoffee Pie here inspired me to become a pastry chef. A lot of people might disagree for ranking the Big Chill so high (more would agree!) but this is the best place in town for desserts no doubt. 80’s kids should actually be indebted to Big Chill’s Café for giving us a taste of Italian way before we understood that Italian cuisine was way beyond Pizza Hut and Dominos.
AND THE WINNER
1. Le Cirque, The Leela Palace, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
I may be considered a hypocrite as I mentioned I’m not such a big fan of five stars despite working for one of the finest in the world.
On a lazy Sunday afternoon, I was going to meet my former head chef from London who was staying at this restaurant and had booked a table for us at Le Cirque.
After binging big time on the first three courses and a lot of wine (I was glad he had mentioned that he won’t let me pay) we ordered the classic Tiramisu and to our utter surprise, the chef literally prepared the dessert at our table!! I found his whipping cream trick to be rather amusing and I still kick myself for not making a video of that.. For the experience, ambiance and also the taste, Le Cirque serves the best Tiramisu, at least in North India