East Delhi is somewhat lacking gastronomically being located right on the edge of dusty Ghaziabad and a bit far from the swanky by lanes of South Delhi. Though it has some saving grace in the form of small eateries and chain restaurants, it managed to surprise us outright by introducing us to its popular family fine dining restaurant ‘The Buffet Wagon’. The restaurant is located on the ground floor at Cross River Mall in Karkardooma vicinity, a busy bustling spot for families and corporate parties. The mall is the central hub of the social activity that goes on in the area and The Buffet Wagon is an essential point of the local gastronomy. Families and large corporate groups dining is a common sight here all days of the week but especially so on the weekends.

The Buffet Wagon practices a full-bodied North Indian menu that is completely vegetarian. There is some section dedicated to Chinese and Italian food as well to be enjoyed for pretty affordable prices. Courtesy to the name The Buffet Wagon, the menu also offers a fantastic spread of buffets to woo your palate. But if it’s a la carte you’re looking for, open the menu with an array of appetizers. Crispy vegetables salt & pepper, surkh angaare ke bhune aloo, kasundi paneer tikka, vegetable Manchurian dry, tandoori soya malai chaap tikka, dahi ke kebab, crispy honey chilli potato and corn palak seekh, will do beautifully as the first course. For second go for, paneer khush rang, alfredo sauce pasta, mixed vegetable in hot garlic sauce, nazakat ke kofte, aloo mast zaika, chilli paneer gravy, arrbiata sauce pasta, mushroom kaju matar and paneer makhani.

End the lavish meal with gulab jamun or kheer. Usually when it comes to buffet based restaurants, the décor somewhat fails to catch the eye but at The Buffet Wagon it’s not like that. The interiors are tasteful and elegantly decorated working with hues of beige and brown, with red adding the much needed contrast relief. Design embossed walls with marginal use of red gives the room a charming texture dimension. Seating is formal and proper so diners can eat in peace and linger for hours over their meal. There is plenty of space between the tables to walk around comfortably. The Buffet Wagon is a budget-friendly happy place ideal for families and co-workers to bond over delicious North Indian food.