With Diwali around the corner and the prospect of several parties lined up on our social calendars, a host of new restaurants in India will accommodate those looking to step out of their homes this festive season. Mumbai has a new Awadh cuisine restaurant and also the first-ever Armani/Caffè in the country; Delhi has a Japanese-style omakase bar and a serene new spot for lunches and dinners; Bengaluru gets a vibrant new cocktail bar based on Chinese festivals and traditions; Hyderabad has a new Mexican restaurant that promises a fiesta. Bookmark our edit of the coolest new openings in your city.
Mumbai After wooing patrons with elevated European fare at Ode, celebrated chef Rahul Akerkar’s latest culinary concept, under Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality, is an Awadh cuisine restaurant. At Waarsa, he’s teamed up with maestro chef Mukhtar Qureshi for royal flavours in an inspired setting. The space, designed by Abha Narain Lambah, strikes a comfortable balance between traditional and contemporary with its salmon-hued walls, ornate furniture, artwork and Persian rugs for a warm, intimate feel.
The menu is as rich as it is diverse, drawing inspiration from the royal kitchens of Lucknow, Benaras and Kolkata, as well as chef Qureshi’s own childhood home and those of cooks from these regions. Sample fare such as a classic nalli nihari, chilgoza shorba, lauki and chana dal shikampuri, slow-cooked raan and an extensive selection of vegetarian options too. Address: NCPA, Nariman.