All black interiors of this Mumbai eatery is anything but vanilla

“Now that’s a completely Instagram worthy place,” we thought as we made our way, once again into a newly opened restaurant in Kamala Mills. Magnanimous Group in association with Jaipur-based businessman Atul Kapur and his son Tanay recently launched their first hospitality venture under Artisan Food Temple (AFT), called Theory. As the name suggests, the place aims to rewrite ways of making and presenting food inside interiors that defy all conventions – a new “theory” in the making, as they call it.

First impression

Ample space, smart seating and a general relaxed vibe (the live piano music inside the premise helped!)…we were intrigued and satisfied. What also caught our eye was the restaurant’s strong affirmative nod to an all black interior – after all, colours too can seem vanilla.

The interiors

Refreshingly different and a happy aberration from the army of newly launched eateries, Theory gives you many reasons to fall in love with it. Envisioned by Sameep Padora and Mansi Punde, the monotone haven segregates the bar seating and the dining smartly. As you enter, a 100 ft long coal pressed island bar welcomes you. As your eyes travel around the area, you notice the there’s wood on the floor and stone on the ceiling, quite the opposite to the usual norm. “Theory is a very classic spatial experience and that’s its main differentiation when compared to the other F&B formats within Kamala Mills. The restrained embellishment with the brass, the deep tones of leather and the charred wood backdrops all sequence an experience that speaks of a restrained luxury,” shares Sameep. A bold colour scheme underpins its uniqeness as the “darkness of the black is not about colour, it’s about a tactile texture. This is the backdrop to allow for the events of the space to unfold against,” avers Mansi.

The food

Gin, Vermouth bianco, house tamarind sauce, curry leaves, cumin, ginger & ginger ale…a Roadside Mule that can satiate any soul looking to try something different. While the signature cocktails had us hooked and booked, the food had us yearning for more. It isn’t often you get to sink your teeth into a Goat Cheese Sabayon Maultasche served with Goat cheese stuffed ravioli served with dried cranberry and walnut crumble, made to perfection. We strongly recommend the Chicken Bombas made with chorizo and Prawn Carpaccio too.

Final verdict

If you are starved for a meal with a twist, inside a space that doesn’t shine bright with colours and familiar staples, this is the place to go. We suggest you add a punch of adventure to your next new year outing – you’ll definitely love it!

Where: Unit 1 C Wing, Trade World, Tulsi Pipe Road, Kamala Mills, Senapati Bapat Marg, Mumbai 13

Also read: Take a culinary trip to Burma in the luxury of your home