Make a Date in Delhi

Driving down dark and quiet Pingxi Lu a few blocks from the Hongqiao Marriott, Delhi Zaika is hard to miss. The exterior of this Indian and Pakistani barbecue restaurant is extremely well-lit, and the only bright spot on the street. Once inside, however, it loses some of its luster. Still in its soft opening phrase, there are a few kinks that need to be worked out. The interior walls were not quite finished, the menus were bound in office supply folders and at one point, the service was quite intent on having us order the most expensive dishes on the menu. Once past that, however, the food did not disappoint. The Chicken Tikka Masala (YY65) was a thick, rich and spicy version. The Chicken Malai Boti (YY55), a Pakistani dish of boneless pieces of marinated and barbecued chicken, was deliciously tender with a slightly tangy flavor. The stand-out dish was the Chicken Korma (YY55)--juicy pieces of boneless chicken served in a creamy sauce that was sweet yet balanced with a perfect amount of spice. While our dinner centered on chicken dishes, there are a number of vegetarian and mutton selections as well. Drinks include rich and creamy masala tea (YY20), fruity yogurt lassis (YY20) and a fairly comprehensive wine and beer list. In the end, the food more than made up for the minor missteps, making Delhi Zaika worth a try if you're hankering for spicy curries or barbecue on a hot summer night. --Dawn Carlson