We would have clearly called it quits by the time we climbed up three floors of a row house in Hauz Khas Village in search of this new eatery, but the exceptionally scenic view of Deer Park paired with a batch of fresh breeze that welcomed us on the top floor disarmed us of all the apprehension that we had gathered on our way up.

The newest tenant in Hauz Khas Village, Gunpowder nests on top of one of the housing blocks. Despite its tiny space, it manages to pack in a bunch of surprises with a picturesque view, a welcoming service and generous portions of food.

If you are looking for an idli-dosa fix, you would be disappointed. Gunpowder is not your neighbourhood south Indian joint that will hand out trays of rice concoctions and sambar even before you pick your table. The menu changes daily and is charmingly handwritten in a notebook each day, depending on the fresh vegetables and meats that were picked in the morning. Sambar and chutney have to be ordered separately. There is a mix of dishes from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala inked on the menu, and the day we visited, we were delighted to find Hyderabadi Mutton Stew (Rs 250) among the coastal specialties.

The eatery looks almost like an extended private kitchen and the décor is as sparse as the offerings on the menu. The white-washed walls are covered with a handful of black-and-white images of vegetables and the kitchen is clearly visible through the glass wall.

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