Concept Restaurants in India

Each of us thinks of food and its nuances differently, and there is so much space for experimentation within the culinary landscape, since each innovation will appeal to someone or the other. Over the years, restaurants that put forth unique, conceptual ideas, along with creative food crafted with an objective behind it, have been gaining traction. Farm to table experiences, themed cafes, bite sized food and cocktails and breweries are just some areas that allow the capacity for gastronomic experimentation. Here are a few endeavors that encapsulate innovative food, fun themes and healthy roots, to create a fulfilling dining experience.

Molasses by Home Grown Produce, Pondicherry
Started by Home Grown Produce India, Molasses provides its customers a refreshing farm to table experience: it essentially serves as an overview of concepts such as foraging, integrative agriculture, permaculture and similar, related ideas. While farm to table experiences have previously revolutionized the culinary sphere, re-wilding is one that sets Molasses apart. Restoring land, and cleansing it of its toxins and artificial pesticides is known as re-wilding. On this fresh land is where HGP cultivates their produce:  Over time, they have observed the gradual resurgence of various native species, including jamun, palmyra, banyans, bananas, ixora, and varieties of cacti. Their food is natural, floral and fruity, in all its senses; spinach, passionfruit, cactus flower, long pepper, cactus fruit are all accompanied with organically sourced country chicken, mutton and pork to create an experience that brings people closer to each other, and their food. For Molasses, the environment comes first, always, and they are an embodiment of chemical-free living. 

Source: Goya Media 

Indian Biere House, Bangalore
Indian Biere House is designed to function as a brewery, along with a Mediterranean menu that makes this outdoorsy haunt an ideal spot to relish a refined dining experience. Hand crafted beers are what they specialize in, and they are best accompanied with their small bites and platters menu, which offers specialities such as baba ghanoush (chargrilled eggplant dip), hummus bi tahini (chickpea dip with sesame), muhammara (mashed smoky red pepper and walnut), and labna al-tamar balevstack (yogurt dip with dates and pistachio). This exquisite, authentic take on Mediterranean food perfectly compliments the brewery-pub culture of Bangalore, which leaves you hungry for satisfying, flavourful appetizers. The interiors also compliment its overall aesthetic; it’s dreamy and constantly buzzing with activity.

Zuru Zuru, Delhi
Tucked away in the littlest corner of Shahpur Jat is Zuru Zuru, a restaurant that serves to exist as an ode to ramen and its varieties. Zuru Zuru chucks out the notion of fine dining being the best form of dining, and instead accomplishes more and beyond, with its slurp inducing ramen, tempura, gyoza, and yakitori. Their wheat based ramen is easily the highlight of the assortment of dishes they put forth: mushroom truffle ramen, litchi coconut cold ramen, mioji bowl ramen and shio chintan ramen are some of the numerous, perfectly harmonious bowls of ramen that they create. A labour of love of Chef Navika and Chef Hitein, Zuru Zuru’s goal is to “Build innovation driven bowls that do justice to the thought process and principles that ramen is built on. The diner is set up as a casual, comfortable space to experience a diversity of flavors in a familiar setting, where innovative good food doesn’t have to come with a side of intimidating.”

Source: Turn Black Home

Records Coffee, Bandra
There’s very little a cup of coffee can’t cure; and Records Coffee is a real-life example of a space that lets you experiment with and listen to a vintage vinyl collection while sipping a tall glass of cold coffee, a matcha latte, or a fruit smoothie. Vinyls bring back memories of a forgotten era, and the restaurant is designed to transport you into the past. Warm lighting, cozy architecture and quaint treats come together to form a perfect indulgence into worlds of vinyl records, turntables, home theatre systems and Hi-fi audio systems. The Revolver Club, one of India’s largest organizations that works towards making music accessible, is involved in the musical aspects of the cafe. The menu is an homage to coffee: an assortment of beverages are lined up, all of which are coffee classics perfectly paired with a side of musical appeasement. Bulletproof keto coffee, Vietnamese iced latte, cold brew coffee, caramel frappe and Kashmiri kahwa, are some of the delectable refreshments they offer. 

Cavatina, Goa
A chef-centric spot located in the serene, breathtaking background of South Goa, Cavatina is built over a foundation of reimagining local Goan food. The story starts with renowned Chef Avinash Martins’ problem with the perception of Goan food as hot, spicy and messy. He wanted to make Goan cuisine international and so, embarked on a journey to re-imagine an inherited food culture. Martins changes up the menu every few months, updating it and enhancing it according to changing seasons. His diner is known for its seven course tasting menu, carefully created upon sourcing local, organic ingredients. Mushroom bisque, thambdji baji & prawns, goan caldin, spanakopita (red amaranthus, cashew butter, filo) are some all year-round options, while the rest fluctuate according to produce. 

Source: The Mint