This is one continental restaurant that has stayed my favourite since my college days. One would save up enough to go here for my perennial favourite – chicken liver pate with lots of melba toast. I was quite saddened when I read about the demise of its matriarch and legendary chef and the one running this family-run enterprise, Bhicoo Manekshaw in 2013. But I am glad to see the restaurant has not changed a bit – and especially not in terms of food. The room remains a minimalist warm white, with stone floors and large windows overlooking the greenery of Santushti Shopping Complex. The restaurant that serves only lunch and snacks remains a favourite with the posh set in Delhi and the embassy crowd. Alcohol is not served here.

I am taking an old friend for lunch here. For the first time in my life I am here without a reservation – but this being weekend, and 12:30 in the afternoon, we have the whole restaurant to ourselves. The atmosphere is peaceful and serene, as a quiet hush lingers around the place…….well till this Bengali gent in Kurta Pajamas sitting across us shatters it with a loud conversation over his mobile to his travel agent, oblivious of the disapproving gaze from us and the wait staff. We silently munch on the freshly baked mini buns as we patiently wait for the man to hang up the phone.

We decide to order. Tradition demands that we start with chicken liver pate (Rs 365), which is served in no time. It continues to be flavourful, creamy and meaty perfection, and a perfect starter. For the main course my friend chooses a hot savoury sandwich (Rs 475) which has some fresh and flavourful pesto with bocconcini and tomato in multigrain bread. The sandwich is perfect – impossible to find faults in it.

I of course go with my other favourite moussaka (Rs 575) which is a delightful treat. It has layers of eggplant, zucchini, potatoes and lamb mince slobbered with cheese flavoured béchamel and baked. We eat the meal in appreciative silence.

It is time for dessert and both of us come up with the same choice – the sinfully indulgent bread and butter pudding (Rs 325). It is crisp on the outside, and gooey and buttery on the inside. This is where involuntary sighs of pleasure start escaping our lips.

A visit to Basil and Thyme is an absolute treat. I have yet to have had a sub-optimal dish here. Go there for lunch, whenever you want to indulge yourself and your loved ones!

The review was anonymously done after paying for the meal.