A sense of space and old world grandeur are what one experiences when stepping into Sly Fox Gastro Club in Sector V. Housed in Globsyn Crystals, known to be a hub of eateries, the restaurant started operations in mid-April and had a formal opening last week. 

“We wanted to build a classy place with good ambience and pocket-friendly menu,” said Rahul Dalmiya, a partner in the venture. 

The high ceiling and the filigree wood work on the walls as well as the ornate chandeliers with metallic finish do convey a charm of the bygone era. Part of the side walls are glass, allowing a view of the foyer outside. “We used to pull the curtains to prevent a crowd gathering outside during the IPL matches,” laughs Rahul.

Indeed, the giant screen (16ftx9ft) installed over the bar counter makes watching sports an exhilarating experience. 
Neither Rahul, a Xaverian now involved in the manufacturing sector in Nagpur, nor his partner Karan Chhawchharia, a real estate man, has any experience in the food and beverage sector. “We share a passion for good food,” Karan says. “And Sector V is the best place to be in. There is a demand for class with a bit of quirkiness.”

And they have deliberately not kept hookah as an option. “You can’t breathe in a hookah place,” Rahul exclaims. A resident DJ plays club music but on a weekday lunch, when The Telegraph Salt Lake visited the place the volume was soothing to the ear. Conversation was possible. “The music will be amped up a bit on weekend nights. Though there is no dance floor, we have kept ample space between tables so one can just break into a gig right here. I have at times,” Rahul adds. 

The place seats 80. “We could have easily made it a 100-120 seater but we wanted the space.”

Keeping the office-going crowd in mind, a six-course lunch buffet is on offer at Rs 595 (veg) and Rs 695 (non-veg). “From 4pm to 6pm, we are serving high tea. There is a set meal available, for Rs 245 (non-veg) and Rs 225 (veg), with six kinds of savouries — kathi roll, sandwich, cutlet, fruit cake, cookies and pakodas. The tea is unlimited to keep conversation flowing at business meetings and kitty parties,” Karan explains.

The menu, with a nod to fusion,  is a mix of Continental, Indian, Chinese and Thai. An unusual element is added to the presentation of some of the dishes by way of molecular gastronomy. “The mint chutney with Malai Broccoli for instance is in the form of caviar,” smiles chef Naresh Kumar. It costs Rs 310. 

In Butter Chicken Jacket Potato, the chicken tikka sits atop a bed of scooped out potato with a thick skin. On each piece is a bit of white foam which is jalapeno-flavoured. “That’s the magic of molecular gastronomy,” smiles the chef. The dish costs Rs 394.

“We have also dressed up comfort food,” Rahul says, adding that their jhalmuri had chikki pieces, Malta orange and pomegranates in it. Christened Foxy Muri, it comes at Rs 121. They also have khichdi on the menu. Percussionist Bickram Ghosh and his wife, actress Jaya Seal Ghosh, who were the guests at the launch, were impressed with the presentation of the khichdi. “They are calling the dish Masala Khichdi aur Char Yaar and serving it with ghee, papad, dahi and achar,” Jaya exclaimed. The dish is priced Rs 289.

Bickram loved a watermelon mocktail he was served. “It had a jalapeno kick!”

There is also a full section on kebabs on the menu.