Culture & Living
We’ve rounded up the cool new spots and menus across Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Goa, Bengaluru and Chennai
We’re a few weeks into January, and we’re already being treated to a spate of new restaurant openings and F&B concepts. After the lull that was 2020, there’s certainly lots to look forward to. We’ve put together all the new and noteworthy launches—from Japanese-Peruvian fare, to Middle Eastern flavours, Goan tapas and Singaporean street food, to Cambodian cuisine, and much more.
This Middle Eastern resto-bar draws influences from London’s well-known Edgware Road; home to a slew of Middle Eastern joints and restaurants. The colourful space with retro motifs that pay homage to The Beatles and the like, offers up iconic plates from many of the restaurants that line this road. There’s Helen’s Shwarma, Maroush Deli’s Mezzes, Lahore Kebab Tikka’s, hummus and salads, among other options.
Address: 1st Floor, Hotel Royal Garden, Juhu Road, Shivaji Nagar, Juhu. Tel: 08591070215
We’re always partial to a great dessert spot, and Monèr, the brainchild of young chef Freny Fernandes, doesn’t disappoint. Fernandes’ repertoire includes working with stalwarts like Daniel Boulud and other Michelin-starred restaurants. A lively bistro by day, you can savour European-inspired bites like fresh salads, soups, sandwiches, French-style entremets and petit-gateaux for desserts. But the spotlight clearly belongs to the plated desserts, served as three and five-courses after 7pm in the evenings. There’s refreshing plates like the Jardin Du Rose, Apple Tarte Tatin with a Kaffir Lime Puff Pastry, Vegan Pavlova with fresh, seasonal fruits, or, a rich Chocolate Coulant with a Coffee Ice Cream.
Address: Darvesh Royale, Perry Cross Road, Pali Hill, Bandra West. Tel: 07770085123
Experiential dining as a concept is only growing, and making its debut in India after places like London, Dubai, Germany and Stockholm, is Banquet of Hoshena–an immersive fine dining experience that takes you on a whimsical journey using 3D technology, image mapping, sounds, illusion, visual effects, and other props that culminate to make for great storytelling on the table, whilst you savour a seven-course meal. The menu is in keeping with the storyline, with dishes like the Chargrilled King Prawns infused with kasundi mustard and a chilli tempura, Beetroot Mozzarella Seekh with a spicy coconut sauce, Bhuna Chaap served on a bed of curry leaf mash, and desserts like the golden-dusted Mud Pie, among other options.
Address: Ramee Guestline Hotel, 462, AB Nair Rd, Juhu. Tel: 08692929445 / 08879046846
Making its way over from Delhi, Diablo, bridges modern Middle Eastern cuisine with gothic design sensibilities. The interiors and bar area form a focal point for the space; think gothic columns, gold arches and accents, leather tiles, among other elements. The menu is eclectic with plates like the Truffle Cauliflower Hummus, Persimmon Cheesecake, Psari Fournou, Gnocchi Con Crème, and a smattering of other influences spanning Greece, Lebanon, Turkey and Egypt.
Address: Ground Floor, Victoria House, E.B Marg, Lower Parel. Tel: 08291900144 / 08291900141
© Assad Dadan
If you’re looking to give your taste buds a change this year, head to TORI, one of the newest launches in the city. Latin-Asian fare dominates the menu at this swish space, curated by expat chef Thomas Catley, who also has to his credit popular London restaurant chain, Pachamama, and has previously led the team at Nobu London. You can look forward to his signature Japanese-Peruvian flavours, with plates like the Vegan Tuna Roll, Parmesan Truffle Churros, Beetroot Tartare, Banana Tacos, and an inventive list of artisanal cocktails, craft beers, etc.
Address: 21, Pali Hill Road, Union Park, Khar West. Tel: 02226482727 / 09833373888
Known for promoting local, organic and seasonal eats, The Pantry Café has hopped over from South Bombay, perching itself in the neighbourhood of Juhu with a brand new delivery kitchen. There’s plenty of vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly nibbles on the menu, ranging from plates like the Vegan Pad Thai, artisanal wraps, gluten-free pizzas, Keto Cheesecake and also a range of wholesome chivdas that you can snack on, along with flavoured kombucha.
Order online here. Tel: 07208656230
Inspired by the Swedish ritual of ‘Fika’—taking a break with friends and colleagues over a slice of cake and coffee, this artisanal label in Mumbai offers a crisp menu of loaf cakes, ranging from a classic Coconut and Chocolate to a rich Bailey’s Chocolate Cake, and a Persian-inspired Rose and Pistachio cake, among others.
WhatsApp: 09321150652 or DM @fika.bombay on Instagram to place orders
If you love this buttery fruit, you have to check out The Oberoi's ode to it with their new special menu. Used in unusual ways, you will find treats like an Avocado and Shitake Carpaccio, Avocado Crusted Black Cod, and an Avocado Tart with Truffled Ice Cream, conceptualised by executive Chef Satbir Bakshi.
The Oberoi, Nariman Point, Mumbai. Tel: 022-66325757
If that's not enough avocado for you, Santé Spa Cuisine in BKC too has a new range of offerings incorporating the fruit, including toasts, cheese crackers with “avocado and cream cheese air”, and much more.
Launched by young chef, Somya Budhia, this takeaway restaurant in Meharchand Market pairs traditional Indian breads and rotis with diverse regional flavours. On the menu are hearty plates like the Thepla Tacos, traditional Kulchas and Lachha Parathas, Girda roti from Kashmir with a Kachha Aam Curry, Hyderabad-style Rumali rotis with Soya Chaap, and an Akki roti from Karnataka paired with Mangalorean Chicken, along with Indian desserts.
Order online on Nibbanadelhi.com. Tel: 09999205644
© ARJUN MAHATTA
Indulge in the comforting flavours of Singaporean cuisine at this brand new space, launched by the folks behind popular Japanese restaurant, Kampai. The fifty-seater space brings influences of Singapore’s street food, with a menu designed by renowned chef Jeremy Nguee. The interiors are vibrant and quirky, complementing the fiery flavours on offer, like the Singapore Chilli Crab, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Nasi Goreng, a list of plump dumplings and more. You can also sip on boozy bubble teas, coolers and other cocktails.
Opens January 27, 2021. Address: DLF Avenue, Saket. Tel: 09821005137
Bringing the nostalgic flavors of Kolkata’s street-style fare to Delhi, this delivery kitchen will fix you up with hearty plates of Kolkata-style biryanis, traditional puchkas, moreish kathi rolls, Kosha Mangsho Baos, Tandoori Soya Chaap, Hakka Noodles and much more. The menu is crafted by chef Vikramjit Roy, who is also the chef behind Asian delivery kitchen, Hello Panda.
Tel: 09654514141 / 09654914141 or order online via Zomato
DIVA Casa Pantry is the latest offering by DIVA restaurants, led by chef Ritu Dalmia. On offer is a well- curated retail line of ingredients that will help you toss together a restaurant-style Italian meal at home. There’s freshly rolled pastas, Dalmia’s signature sauces, salad dressings, special rubs and seasonings for meats and seafood, Italian biscotti, and more. These can even be curated into gift hampers.
Call or WhatsApp: 07290043704 / 07291996198 to place orders
Goa’s food scene is brimming with new offerings and Panjim is quite the hot spot. Located in the historic Sao Tome neighbourhood, António, is the brainchild of chef Pablo Miranda. Positioned as a neighbourhood tapas bar, serving copos (drinks) and small plates, there’s a decidedly Goan influence across the menu with a strong focus on local, seasonal fare and the fresh catch of the day. Think, baby squids stuffed with Prawn Balchao, a savoury-style Patoli (Goan rice crepe), and cocktails using indigenous ingredients.
Address: 31st January Road, next to Mateus Boutique Hotel, Sao Tome, Panaji. Tel: 08087669369
Located in what once used to be playwright and author, Girish Karnad’s house, Khmer Kitchen serves up Cambodian fare in a whimsical ambience. The space is sectioned into a café and restaurant, where you can sample Cambodian classics and other South East Asian flavours, such as the Banana Blossom Salad, Asian Soup Bowls, curries made with a traditional, hand-pounded Kreoung paste, Cambodian Fried Rice, etc. End on a sweet note with desserts like the Kampot Pepper Crème Brulee and a list of single origin coffees.
Address: 697, 15th cross, (Ring Road) 2nd Phase, JP Nagar. Tel: 08026597742 / 08026597771
This East Village-style resto-bar has a brand new winter menu, with global influences and a focus on local, seasonal produce. There’s an extensive selection of small plates like the Birria de Yaca (dipping tacos) made with young jackfruit, Hainanese Chicken Toast, Hot Potted Prawns and Chorizo, Smoked Chicken and Avocado Poke Bowl, Sliders made with vegan buns and served with a side of Plantain Chips, Vietnamese Lemongrass Faal Flatbread, as well as a Soft Shell Crab Khichdi, that you can pair with the bar’s signature G&Ts.
Address: 14/1, Wood Street, Richmond Road, Ashok Nagar. Tel: 08041116878
The popular NYC-based bakery chain has launched its second outpost in Bengaluru. Take your pick from the signature floral-swirled cupcakes, cookies, cheesecakes, icebox cakes, Magnolia’s famous Banana Pudding, among other seasonal offerings.
Address: The Bay, RMZ Ecoworld, Sarjapur Outer Ring Road, Bellandur. Tel: 09606746364
The iconic Kerala-cuisine restaurant has reopened in Chennai with a brand new menu and dining experience, featuring set menus, one pot meals and house specials. Ten different set menus showcase the diverse cuisine of the state, ranging from Malabar fare in the north, to Travancore and Syrian Christian fare and the kallu shaap cuisine that dominates the many toddy shops across the state. There’s plates like the Pidi Kozhi Curry, Fish Nellikka Masala, Grilled Lobster, Cloud Pudding made with tender coconut, along with a list of regional beverages.
Address: 10, Haddows Road, Nungambakkam. Tel: 044-28281010
With restaurants and bars opening up again in India, what is it like to eat out?
This is what dining out in India post-lockdown will look like