The legacy of the British Raj right in the heart of New Delhi at Connaught Place, United Coffee House is an elaborate affair with classical food spanning from Indian to continental with chandeliers and colonial fixtures in abundance. The seed of inception for United Group of Restaurants started with the United Coffee House, the flagship restaurant of the group.It was the year 1942 and Delhi was developing its soul, during these times, United Coffee House came as an interactive Coffee House. The Coffee House is now a must-do stopover for foreign tourists frequenting Connaught Place. The restaurant was designed by an US architect, who had spent his life in England and understood the times of Renaissance, Rembrant and Victorian. Some of the logos which are on the tapestries, the emblems were designed and patented for the restaurant by him. Except for maintenance and minor touch-ups, the place looks exactly like it did five decades back.Senior citizens, business associates, college students, foreign tourists – the patrons are diverse at the United Coffee House. The restaurant has also hosted visitors from leaders, celebrities and dignitories. With the constant additions to the menu to sourcing the best chefs who would bring in the nouvelle cuisine, the restaurant has a strong global menu with over 400 dishes including a repertoire of regional Indian, Continental, European and Western to Asian, Mediterranean, Indian cuisine. Though the menu is reminiscent of the current trends of culinary needs and trends followed by people, the essence of menu remains in its signatures and savories.Now the restaurant is starting with United Coffee House Rewind, which is the same United Coffee House but in its casual format. The first one will be opening shortly at the Mall of India, Noida.I started out with the restaurant’s famous signature dish Keema Samosa and Cheese Balls. The Samosa was deep fried with the Keema filling with cashews thrown in. It was spiced wonderfully. The Samosa is served with the zesty Coriander Chutney. It was heavenly as the first bite of it will give you the aromatic flavour of the Keema stuffed inside the Samosa. Cheese Balls were perfectly cooked with cheese and besan blended together. The Cheese Balls are served with mustard leaves.In the main course it was another signature dish, which was Tomato Fish. Apparently this menu was introduced in 1962 and has been served here ever since. The fish was river sole base that had its crisp skin intact and was topped with tangy tomato puree with peas and served with a side of well seasoned French fries and steamed vegetables. One can have these with the choice of warm and fresh brown and white bread from the basket.Other delicacies which you may try at the restaurant are Golden Fried Prawns, the tiger prawns are coated in batter and deep fried, Kori Gassi from the South with Steamed Rice, Chicken stroganoff, French Farmer’s Steak, Burgundy Lamb chops, Salmon Steake Montecarlo, Polo Marsala and many more. They have Indian street food which include Maska Keema Bun, Dahi Ki Khatai, Punjabi Samosa Chat, Chowpatty Pav Bhajji, Vada or idli and range of Dosas.The restaurant has introduced slew of innovations in their menu starting from gol gappa shots and south-east Asian meals in a bowl to a four-page tea and coffee menu, but the all-time UCH favourites remain Chicken a la Kiev, Nargisi Kofta, Lahori Meat and Stuff Tomato, which are among the 40 items that figure in Signatures. Finally in the desserts you can try some of their speciality like Warm chocolate sin cake, Apple Pie or Kala Jaam.I will go with 4 out of 5 for United Coffee House, ignoring some minor glitches. Regardless of that I would definitely recommend this restaurant for your perfect dine out with your loved ones. Read more