Please note: This review was done on an invitation from the restaurant to taste their food, and no bill was presented to the author. While the author assures you of objectivity, the review may be influenced by the personalized attention the author got.

One fine day, stressed young parents Aftab Sidhu, Aditi Datta and Raj Sanyal, were looking for places to take their kids. Not very successful in their hunt, they decided to open a place that could keep young kids occupied and entertained with some good activities, and also have good eatery that would serve to kids and their parents both.  So Little.Big was born, a few weeks ago at the end of Golf course road. It now offers a space that has a green botanical feel and bright, warm sunlit ambience by day which transforms to a softly illuminated dinner space on. The play area is made mostly of pine wood, with a separate safe play area for the kids while the parents gorge on the food.

The restaurant has three menus, one having exciting sounding sweet and savoury bowls for the youngest guests under the age of 2; one for not so little kids with a fun children’s menu, and some gourmet stuff for grown-ups. I am here at the invitation of Aftab Sidhu, one of the partners to check the place out. The detailing for the interiors of the play area and the dining space to make it kid friendly is truly impressive – something only a parent can think of.

I check out the grown up food menu that ranges from great to work-in-progress. Smoked beet Carpaccio (Rs 350) has goat cheese, candied walnuts, rocket leaves and a white wine walnut pesto covering a chilled sliced beetroot. It is perfectly balanced and enjoyable. Bacon and Sour Cream Pizza (Rs 350) has a Ragi and Bajra base. Despite being gluten free, it has a nice, chewy crust.

Charred Lamb Kefteh (Rs 325) with minced lamb, goat cheese and rosemaryis not as enjoyable since it is too dry and crumbly. The little.BIG Eggs Benedict (Rs 495) has a twist where Yorkshire pudding has replaced the muffin and dill salmon mousse has replaced Canadian bacon. Somehow the twist does not work because it makes the dish too mushy to enjoy. 

The Turkish Mushroom and Onion Shashouk (Rs 325) with tomato and onion confit, topped with mushrooms and egg is missing the crucial bell peppers. In the mains I try my favourite Nasi Goreng (Rs 450). Only to find that the dish is not the iconic Malaysian delicacy but more like a Malaysian chicken fried rice with all prawn flavours omitted. So no belacan, no prawn cracker and no bits of prawn in the rice. On enquiring I am told that the dish has been made child friendly given that many have allergy to crustaceans. Fair enough but it would be better not to call this dish Nasi Goreng so that the diners who don’t have such allergies don’t feel disappointed.

If you are a parent with a child/children, this is the place to visit.

Ratings (Out of 5)

Food: 3.5 | Ambience: 4.5 | Service: NA | Value: 4.0 | Overall: 4.0

Meal for two: Rs 1300 | Alcohol: No | Credit Card: Yes | Wheel chair friendly: Yes

Address: 21, Ground Floor, Baani The Address, Sector 56, Gurgaon. Tel: +91 9871536650; 0124 4047219