The joyous season of Christmas brings with it a sleigh-load of nostalgia, not just through the festivities and traditions, but also through the cinematic masterpieces that have become an indispensable part of the holiday spirit. Christmas movies offer a magical quality that warms the heart and more often than not, a culinary inspiration that transcends the screen. And if like me you also are a pop culture enthusiast with an innate fondness for all things food, then your quest for these Christmas comfort foods in Delhi NCR inspired by your favorite holiday films is a gastronomic adventure worth embarking on. In my forever pursuit to help fellow foodies have the finest dining experiences, I thought why not list out some of my favorite movies I like to binge during Christmas time, the classic Christmas comfort foods inspired by them, and the best restaurants in Delhi NCR where you can find them. Each treat carries the essence of the film it represents, promising not just a delicious bite, but also a slice of yuletide spirit.
I am pretty sure that this romantic Christmas classic features on almost every movie buff’s must-watchlist come winter. Multiple characters interconnected with each other, the ensemble cast (especially the swoon-worthy presence of every millennial girl’s favorite British heartthrob - Hugh Grant), and a terrific cover of Mariah Carrey’s ‘’All I Want For Christmas’’ towards the end that’s truly a bop are all the factors that make this one the ultimate modern-day Christmas masterpiece. And when you talk about comfort food, the movie is riddled with several references to it. Whether it’s the Prime Minister’s favorite chocolate biscuits (English tea cookies) or the Banoffee Pie slice Juliet offers to Mark as a peace offering, whatever your choice you can relish these tasty delights at Bloom Café & Cakery, Khan Market, Central Delhi. Our comfort food favorites from their selection include- Belgian Chocolate Coated Thinss, Milk Chocolate Gooey Cookie, and Banoffee Tart.
Home Alone is not just a movie it’s a fun-packed Christmas Day experience we all grew up with. And the best way to incorporate this nostalgic cinematic masterpiece in your yuletide culinary adventure this year is to take inspiration from Kevin McAllister’s tradition of finishing a whole cheese pizza by himself whenever he is ‘home alone’. But suppose you do wish for an upgrade. In that case, we suggest you take yourself out on a little date this Christmas season to one of our favorite restaurants in Delhi- Fio Cookhouse & Bar and satiate your pizza cravings by relishing their awesome range of hand-rolled thin-crust wood fire oven-made pizzas. Our favorites from their selection include- Wild mushrooms, Goat Cheese and truffle-infused Pizza and Spicy Chorizo, Bononcini and scallion Pizza.
While Bridget Jones's Diary may not align with current political correctness or contemporary themes, it remains a timeless feel-good rom-com. The relatable protagonist, Bridget, mirrors an everyday person and someone you’d be BFFs with, who starts a diary to track her career and romantic escapades. Set partly during the holidays, the film features not one but two charming love interests Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant). A brilliant and rather funny scene from the movie shows Bridget amid a kitchen mishap while preparing a feast for her friends where the soup she is making turns blue, so as an ode to this wonderful film and its much-underrated celebration of friendship, I thought that a comforting bowl of Hearty Chicken Soup, from guppy makes an excellent comfort food choice. Other comfort food favorites from Guppy include- Corn And Avocado Soup, Chicken Ramen, Tsukiji Tuna Bowl, and Kimchi and hot Tofu Nabe.
When the holiday season rolls in, the whimsical scenes from "The Polar Express" inevitably glide into the collective consciousness. One particular scene that warms the heart is the hot chocolate service aboard the magical train bound for the North Pole. In Delhi NCR, the search for a beverage that captures the same enchanting spirit will lead you to several top-notch destinations, but my personal favorite to relish this luscious concoction is Olly- All Day Café & Bar in Cyber Hub. Olly serves what can easily be considered the best hot chocolate preparation in the city. Loaded with copious amounts of creaminess and a delightfully toasted marshmallow on top, their hot chocolate feels like a warm cozy hug on a cold winter day.
In the realm of oh-so-romantic Christmas films, Nancy Meyers' creation, "The Holiday," beautifully unfolds a narrative of love and self-discovery. Centered around two women recovering from failed relationships, the plot takes an unexpected turn as they decide to exchange homes across continents, ultimately finding new love. You can expect picturesque frames of snow-laden British countryside and heaps of Yuletide cheer. A warm movie like The Holiday should be paired with a spicy goblet of mulled wine from Perch Wine & Coffee Bar, Vasant Vihar. Their Mulled Wine made using homemade honey, spices, dark rum, and red wine is a potent concoction that is guaranteed to keep you warm all winter long. Besides their ace mulled wine concoction, other favorites from their stellar menu include- Vietnamese Coffee, Coffee Sangria, Americano, and Rum Bunch Cocktail.
Gargi Bisht is an event copywriter/conceptualizer turned writer currently working with EazyDiner Pvt. Ltd. Compulsive eater, book hoarder, dog lover and pop culture enthusiast with an innate love for storytelling. Usually the quietest person in the room, Gargi is an introvert who loves her own company. When not eating, can be found in front of her laptop watching movies. Knows a thing or two about art and literature.
