Article Category: Leisure

With summer holidays approaching, it’s time to start discovering and testing your palate. We rounded up a list of cool new restaurants for you to try!

ShangHigh
Massive Restaurant’s latest offering to the Asian dining scene is this 1930s themed supper club. Aptly named after the city, ShangHigh’s high-energy, performance-dining gives diners a taste of original Chinese restaurants. With traditional interiors and an extensive cuisine that includes Honey pepper lamb rack, Whole lobster in smoke chilli and ginger soy sauce, Crab clay pot and more, this new eatery is on our list of must-try restaurants this weekend!
Where: Kamala Mills, Mumbai

1522 Bar and Kitchen
Bengaluru’s favourite outpost has found a second home, right here in Mumbai! Designed by Sumessh Menon, this new outpost boasts muted green tones, floral motifs, vibrant and earthy details all blended with a design concept inspired by English pubs. The carefully curated all-day menu includes lip-smacking Modern Indian, Tandoori, Continental and Chinese dishes. Spend your weekend feeling the wind on your face as you devour the city’s best food, drinks and company!
Where: Andheri, Mumbai

Mount Road Social
The Social brand has added its newest outpost and this time in a killer beach town! Palm trees, sea breeze and a chill scene, Chennai has it all. Say hello to Mount Road Social, Impresario Handmade Restaurants newest addition to the Social Chain. Known for its epic parties, quirky decor and mouth-watering menu, this new eatery is not just a place, it’s a vibe. Plan your weekend at this cool new outpost and don’t forget to hashtag—#ItsSOCIALda!
Where: Express Avenue Mall, Chennai

Copitas
Four Seasons Hotel, Bengaluru at Embassy ONE has unveiled a gem with Copitas—a high energy Destination Bar located on level 21. With a chic atmosphere and stylish interiors, this bar is designed by LW Design and offers exotic cocktails, magnetic conversation and a well-curated food menu. At Copitas one can enjoy an artisanal craft cocktail clasped in an impeccably manicured hand, while looking out at the sparkling Bengaluru skyline.
Where: Four Seasons Hotel, Bengaluru

Daler
Helmed by Design Ethics Architecture Studio, Daler is a mix of glamour and sophistication. Spread across 2100 sq ft, the restaurant’s design is inspired by North India. With nostalgic elements, fierce colours and a material palette that included greys and golds, Daler captures the true essence of India. Zoned in three levels, each floor is meticulously customised as per the use.
Where: Rajouri Garden, New Delhi

Kake Di Hatti
Originally based in Chandni Chowk, Kake Di Hatti has now found a home in Ahmedabad! Serving authentic Punjabi cuisine with a variety of over 40 naans, this restaurant also features elegant interiors done up by Amogh Designs. Elegant arches teleport you to old Chandni Chowk and the vintage wooden frames add to the old world charm. Taste the best of Punjab at Kake Di Hatti!
Where: Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Vice: Global Tapas Bar
Designed by Ashish Kambli, Vice is a pearlescent outpost, replete with brutal interiors. Crafted using a thousand mother of pearl pieces inlaid in the panelling and design, this eatery/pub has an 85 ft long island bar, plenty of seating area and lustrous interiors. Vice is a treat for sore eyes! Spend the weekend exploring the brutalist theme fused with quirky artwork, while enjoying a refreshing drink and some delectable bites!
Where: Juhu, Mumbai

Struggling to make plans this weekend? Can’t pick between menus? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of all the newest places to be seen this weekend onwards…The Sassy Spoon After the success of its Nariman Point outlet, this trendy resto-bar is spreading sass around in the locale of Powai. Designed by Minnie Bhatt, this space features vibrant artwork, casual seating and verandah style tables. A key design element of this outlet is the muted flooring that perfectly offsets the floral art and upholstery. The bar area houses a life size Volkswagen campervan and a bottle display with a chevron pattern with wood and stone. Known for its decadent desserts and gluten-free delicacies, The Sassy Spoon is definitely on our binge list!The Terrace Located in Andheri, The Terrace designed by Saniya Kantawala is the new ‘Photo worthy’ restaurant for millenials. The fascination with posting the ‘where’ and ‘when’ defines the design concept of this venue. With indoor and outdoor seating, the space is bathed in millennial pink with a combination of brass, eclectic seating, dramatic jewel-shaped lighting and other elements that attract today’s youth. The bar features a glass facade, with plants on one side and a neon light with the words, ‘Here comes the sun’. The key highlight of The Terrace is its quirky pop-up art and, of course, a terrace garden. The Tanjore Tiffin RoomHere to give you #nostalgia about all your recess memories, The Tanjore Tiffin Room is a melange of throwbacks. With home cooked food and grandma’s secret recipes in mind, Kishore DF brings the best of Tamilian cuisine to this outlet in Bandra. Versatile seating, quirky mood lighting, antique furniture and pastel shades tie the space together poetically. The design highlight is its terracotta washed staircase with aalas scooped out of the walls with diyas to illuminate the space. With an earthy palette and seasoned textures, we also see murals, intricate artwork and accessories that exude bright hues. Real, homely and Tamil fare is what this place is all about.Episode OneStudio Eight Twentythree reimagined gymkhanas while crafting Powai’s Episode One. Rajasthani marble, solid teak wood and bundles of natural greens render the space with the idea of ‘what yesterday would feel like today’, seamlessly blending Victorian and art deco references with new world aesthetics. The outlet is divided into a ballroom for mingling, a taproom where brews, spirits and cocktails flow endlessly, chambers for the dining area and finally, the veranda which exudes a warm vibe. The massive charcoal tinted ceiling features walls covered in a fabric that’s further rendered into numerous layered elements by artist Sajid Wajid Shaikh. With a rustic aura and bespoke lighting, Episode one serves as the perfect spot to unwind.Mohan MahalIf you’re looking for a blend of dining, grandeur and romance, we have just the right place for you. Nestled in the Pink City, Mohan Mahal at the Jaipur, JW Marriott Resort and Spa is the perfect setting for a romantic evening with its soft flickering candlelight and opulent interiors. Indulge yourself with piquant and tantalising flavours of Rajasthani and Awadhi cuisines at Mohan Mahal. Inspired by the Sheesh Mahal at Amber Fort, the eatery is replete with candles and mirror decor that lends a scintillating atmosphere of refined elegance. We suggest you give your getaway an upgrade by dining at this regal restaurant.The Orient For this Kolkata based restaurant, the multidisciplinary architectural studio Salient incorporates ancient Japanese techniques like ‘Feng Shui’ and ‘Taoism’ to reflect Asian nuances. Each door frame sings a lore of Feng Shui, while the layout is scattered with metal jaalis in traditional patterns that form a private booth for intimate gatherings. Diffused light adds to the mystical atmosphere, while handmade products, grey shades inspired by zen and red tints from chi play a game of light and shadows. Satisfy your sushi and ramen cravings by dining at The Orient.Powai Social Keeping in line with its #Social trend, this chain has recently opened in Powai. Epitomising the work life balance, Powai Social encourages you to let loose. The mood juxtaposes urban and natural elements, staying true to Social’s ‘minimum intervention, maximum upcycling’ design approach. Crafted by Shabnam Gupta of The Orange Lane, the outpost features earthy hues of red paired with concrete that emerges out of the ground and morphs into in-situ seating—a special design element dedicated to the history of Mumbai. The rustic tones are accentuated by hand painted murals made using non-toxic paint. This is the ideal place to get some downtime.

Nestled in the portkey to paradise–Goa, and set against the picturesque canvas of Orzan beach in Vagator is Titlie, a new tavern that offers the most captivating sunset views. Conceptualised by Tarun Sibal, Bipin Sibal, Karrtik Dhingra and Shyaam Khurrana, this restaurant gives you a fusion of Indian and global experiences.

“Titlie, named after the butterfly, symbolises the sensorial memories of our daily transformative journeys through life. Goa’s multifaceted spirit; the enigmatic expanse of the ocean, inspiring relaxation and romance and above all, the unforgettable sunset views represent so much more than just the sum of all ingredients,” says Tarun. Featuring a contemporary-rustic aesthetic with pastel colours and dashes of green, Shweta Kaushik of SK.ID crafted this tavern taking inspiration from Susegad’s eclectic vibe. With collaborative cuisine as one of their highlights, Titlie is a gastronomic melting pot featuring food curated by Chef Tarun Sibal. You can choose from the diverse spread of Charred Sourdough with orange peel butter, green mascarpone and guava chilli jam, or Porcini French Toast. Pick among the classic Goan dishes with an added twist like Pulled Pork Vindaloo with sauerkraut, Pressed Pork Belly with apple cider; or Seared Goat Meat with a maple whiskey wash.

Quench your thirst with Titlie’s specials, concocted by one of India’s finest mixologists, Yangdup Lama. The bar menu also features the aforementioned in-house tinctures and bitters, a cornucopia of local produce, Goan Feni and Goan Whiskey including the Austin Tower Old Fashioned. The Saligao Straight celebrates Goan mahua, while Cocktail De Ponas serves up tropical vibes. Majorda Mist hints at feistiness and the classic G&T gets a Titlie twist.

Imagine a space frequented by the best creative minds of a generation, gathering for a coffee, small bites and decadent pastries. That’s the kind of patronage Caffè Concerto enjoyed. Founded in 1936, the eatery offered drinks, nibbles and sweet treats to the tunes of a Spanish ensemble that played the latest dance music from America. The confectionery—also known as Pasticceria Cucchi after its founders Luigi and Vittorina Cucchi—has been an iconic Milanese landmark for decades. For its new avatar, Italian architect and designer Cristina Celestino reimagined it as an urban oasis replete with eclectic references that draw from the historic café chantant, the delicate artistry of pastry making. The interior features curated pieces, which embrace the traditional setting of the shop, and a fresh look for everything from carpeting to packaging. The Tea Room, which is the heart of the space, houses an impressive palm tree lit by pod like, blown glass lamps. The Oasi silk wallcovering from Misha in the backdrop combines embroidery and metallic surfaces, while the tops of the Canditi tables in the outdoor area are made with precious inlays of multihued marble. Modern interventions, with a touch of surrealism, elevate the classic Milanese allure of the pastry shop.
Website: www.cristinacelestino.com

Nestled in the heart of the Milanese district of Porta Venezia, is Spica—the brainchild of celebrity chef’s Ritu Dalmia and Viviana Varese. With a dash of internationality, a pinch of conviviality and abundant research, Spica was crafted to portray diversity through the art of gastronomy. Milan based architects Tiziano Vudafieri and Claudio Saverino have designed this space to reflect Porta Venezia’s vibrant culture and dynamic youth. The restaurant narrates Ritu Dalmia’s journey through the Asian continent and her voyage to Milan as seen in the traditional, spiritual and hospitality attributes of this outpost. Featuring contemporary cosmopolitan culture and aesthetic influences of the Masters of Milanese design, the architectural duo Vudafieri-Saverino have taken a page out of Ettore Sottsass’ book by combining freedom and radical design. The furnishing of the space takes you back to the ’50s and ’60s by paying homage to Franco Albini. Spica is a bag of Asian references more specifically with the Vastu Doctrine that plays an important role in the restaurant’s layout. The menu is curated to imbibe elements from South-East Asia, the Indian Sub-continent, Europe and America. Located in an industrial building with massive windows that offer views of the road and an inner courtyard, Spica preserves signs of the past like the seeded floor. At the entrance, customers are captivated by an 8-metre long bar inspired by the vintage Milanese ones featuring an antiquated glass backdrop, powdered brass top and a long suspended bottle rack. The lounge area is perfect to lose yourself in with its cosy interiors. Retreat to the dining area that is illuminated with big lamps that take shape of Indian agricultural implements; a charming corner in this room hosts a service station with wooden floors and greens on the gravel. The walls are decorated with the works of Jaco Sieberhagenc that give an ironic representation of Italian culture from industry to gastronomy. Feast on a range of lip-smacking delicacies from Chinese to Indian with a side of Mexican or American.

Misu is not your stereotypical Asian restaurant with red interiors, dragon imagery and bamboo planters; it gives the appearance of an unfinished chapel. Roman church elements create a counterintuitive feel in this Asian eatery. It’s central isle brings to mind the alter at a church supported by columns and arches. Sunlight streams in through the stained glass windows, illuminating hand painted wall murals. The central passage allows a clear demarcation for customers as well as servers, while adding a sense of spatial clarity to the roughly 1,000 sq. ft. area. “Spatial planning was something we needed to work out. We toyed a lot with the step up to the Mezzanine level and continuing the design there. In the end, we fashioned the area with an installation of a girl’s face to give it prominence, much like a pedestal,” says Farah Ahmed, cofounder of FADD Studio. Aesthetically, the layout gives importance to the face, which is now becoming the brand’s identity. The new restaurant’s provocative arched interior draws in people. Its raw, almost unfinished look gives a sense of sitting in an old church that has been renovated into a restaurant. The colour palette stays true to the other, older Misu establishment. “Since this was the second Misu we were designing, we wanted it to have a bit of familiarity for brand recall. So we brought back deep colours such as blue, green, mustard and crimson, while incorporating the element of copper,” explains Ahmed. Rich colours such as mustard, olive, cranberry and deep blue enhanced the material palette of grey cement wall finishes and copper mesh arches, with a hint of wood.Misu is a contemporary and edgy interpretation of an Asian restaurant seemingly nestled within a church, with classical western elements set against refined minimal Japanese shapes in a mesmerising confluence. Indirect lighting softly illuminates the mesh arches and hand painted walls to create an intimate atmosphere at night. Arches lead up to a deconstructed, almost cubist portrait of a girl’s face, which acts as the restaurant’s central point, whereas the abstract stained glass at the back of the bar stands out in the day lending a zesty, hip ambience.

Wash away your weekday blues at Sotally Tober’s all new outpost in Bengaluru’s Residency Road. Taking inspiration from its first outlet in Koramangala, Farah Ahmed and Dhaval Shellugar of FADD Studio crafted this bar with an offbeat decor. The space employs vintage paper camouflaged walls and facade decked with books that sport cheekily altered titles to accentuate the bar’s quirky quotient.As seen in the facade, the focal point for ‘SoTo’s interiors is also to fuse the art of writing with the expression of design; and therefore, the interior walls feature pages of several vintage dictionaries. Indeed, the vintage touch goes above and beyond just the writing on the wall—pun intended. The bar features a fairly consistent palette with black mesh, cream pages with old stains, distressed wood furniture, brick walls and dreamy white lights. While the strong industrial optics—like the metal work—serves as a mask, a second, closer look reveals delicate detailing on grills, featuring amusing drinking phrases that are illuminated by neon lights. On the other hand, each of the hand painted illustrations behind each metal arch resemble doodles. The bar’s colossal (refurbished) beams as well as the pattern and wooden floor tiles complement the space’s old world charm. We’re raising a toast to the bold metal framework seen in the middle of the seating arrangement as well as the sleek wooden furniture paired with woven bistro chairs. This weekend, we recommend giving in to the fascinating designs of this tavern.