3 restaurants to try
If you're in the capital here's where you should go in your downtime


Zingo Star
It's place to go for cheesy (and greasy) comfort. After work is usually a good time. Expect batter fried-everything and cheese-loaded poutine – we gorged on The Mighty Mushroom, that has potato wedges with a mix of sauteed mushrooms, roasted bell peppers, grilled onions and a generous helping of their homemade sauce. The chicken rival of this has a delightfully fiery peppercorn gravy and cajun-rubbed chicken. It's a meat-lovers paradise though – you can select any cut you like, pair it with a fiery sauce of your choice and you're set. The mini sliders are good fuel too. We suggest you go with what they call the Supercool Slider Samplers, and sink your teeth into each.
Zingo Star, Greater Kailash (GK) 2, M 80, Near Nature's Basket, Greater Kailash (GK) 2, New Delhi. Tel: 011 41644646/+91 886009464

The Backyard
It's got a rustic outdoorsy vibe (perfect for barbecues!). Start with the Larb Kai salad, with minced chicken, lemony chilli dressing, shallots and herbs; it whets your appetite. If pasta is your idea of comfort food, you'll love the lamb ragout spaghetti. You can't go wrong with the Satay Siam or The Backyard's signature wings (off the barbecue menu) either. We'll also be coming back for their tenderloin steak.
The Backyard – Cookout & Drinkery, A/2A, Aurobindo Marg, Next to Sartaj Hotel, Hauz Khas, New Delhi. Tel: 011 41028580, +91 9555553553

Fio
Pick a spot in the al fresco area, and you'll be off to a good start. Their menu is split into Indian and European favourites. If you're going with the latter, start with the grilled fish chilli lime with a ginger-tamarind glaze, and the raw papaya with mango salsa bruschetta and shredded cheese. We also suggest you dig into the mustard bitter gourd rigatoni. And finish with a green mango and mulberry cheese cake which tastes as delicious it sounds. If you'd rather go with Indian fare, scarf down the paneer khurchan (cottage cheese with masalas and pickled chillies, cooked on a Teppanyaki grill), with a kheema naan and Amritsari daal – it should sort you out for hours!
FIO, Gate 1, The Garden of Five Senses, Saiyad Ul Ajaib, Saket, Delhi. Tel: +91 99710 04531