Compiled by Pari Syal
Photography: Indrajit Sathe; courtesy the designer
Read Time: 2 mins
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| Farzi Cafe (inset) Sumessh Menon |
Interior designer Sumessh Menon uses his penchant for materiality to augment culinary illusion that is the signature of the modernist gourmet diner, Farzi café, Mumbai…
That Indians are a highly adaptable race is being recurrently proven with the number of fusion foods that seem only to be multiplying by the minute. Fine-dines, lounges and small-time cubby-hole eateries serving dishy gourmet cuisine are pepping up the eating-out scene like never before.
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Elements of molecular gastronomy, modern techniques, customized equipment and culinary illusion that constitute table theatrics transform flavours for a unique, high energy, modernist and genre-defining Indian dining experience… that is Farzi café. ‘Farzi’ as the name suggests refers to illusion; and this café-style eatery with its pocket-friendly price-points and fusion interiors aims at creating an unparalleled culinary experience.
Sustaining the illusion-creating thematic, the restaurant has a charming European architecture-inspired pristine white, balcony-style façade that opens indoors via a double-height volume to a dual-storeyed diner. Complete with fluted pseudo columns and arched windows, one sees a sharp contrast of textures and styles blended together perfectly in the large double-heighted space.
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Playing with the verticality of the volume, is a delightfully earthy-looking terracotta patterned wall juxtaposed against a stunningly contrasting 22 ft. high backlit bar display that immediately draws the eye to its splendid and unique laser-cut design that finds its complement on the backlit risers of the grand staircase.
The imposing bar counter is uniquely shaped with two cylindrical edges and a beautiful red travertine countertop that form a sturdy backdrop to the milieu, scattered with seating options in varying styles: sofas, high chairs, and regular chairs on both lower and upper levels.
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A vast backlit ceiling installation in chevron pattern shrouds the whole place in a spectacular warm, diffused light, setting the mood of the eatery as floor-to-slab laser-cut backlit paneling laid out angularly stuns with a European-style art print on the upper deck; and a similar screen panel regales on the lower floor with beautiful amber coloured tinted glass designs in a circular pattern.
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Earthy tones of warm red and honeyed amber lend to the uniquely eclectic colour palette that blends hints of polished European style with raw and earthy vernacular allure.
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As is his signature style, Sumessh Menon lives up to creating an idiosyncratic, chic, modern sensory experience in a high energy ambience waiting for the ultimate finishing touch of the farzi gastronome!
Fact File:
Client: Massive Restaurants Pvt. Ltd.
Design Firm: Sumessh Menon & Associates
Principal Designer: Sumessh Menon
Area: 2000 sq.ft.
Location: Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, Mumbai
Very interesting blog. A lot of blogs I see these days don't really provide anything that attract others, but I'm most definitely interested in this one. Just thought that I would post and let you know.
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