Food Court

The transformation of GK II M-Block market into a hip space can be traced back to Diva,chef Ritu Dalmia’s classy and by most standards,prohibitively expensive restaurant. Diva has doggedly survived eight years,a rarity in the food business. After Dalmia,who was traveling and could not be contacted,many restaurateurs followed suit and suddenly this market was clogged with cuisine of every kind. Restaurants like Nu Deli and China Garden have moved beyond the friendly neighbourhood restaurant and have a loyal following.

For Teenku Loond,who has been running Nu Deli,a pan-European bistro here for two years now,the parking and the location worked. “I bought the property in 1994. Initially I rented it out to Nirulas and a south Indian chain before I started my own food venture,” says Loond.

Despite the general slowdown in property,insiders suggest that rentals in GK II M-Block will soon rival the bustling N and M Block markets of GK I. 2000 sq ft of commercial space on the ground floor here costs approx Rs 4 lakhs per month. Last year two new venues added to the bustling food scene here — Bennigan’s,an Irish Bistro and a Mughlai place called Aadab that’s since shut down. “Many expats frequent the market so there’s business for everyone,” says Shadab Mobin of Bennigan’s.

Meanwhile,the stores still selling bathroom fittings are happy with the market’s transformation. Tiles and Taps opened here in 1992. “Diners pop by to have a look. We get many more walk-ins now,” says Badre Alam of Tiles and Taps.