This Delhi restaurant transforms from royal extravagance to uber cool depending on what you seek from it…

By Marina Correa

Photography: Dhruv; courtesy the firm

Read Time: 2 mins

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At Ophelia Kitchen & Bar, opulence and luxuriousness instantaneously meet the eye; but the underlying strength of character is deciphered only when you pause and imbibe… 

Traversing varied moods - from luxury fine dine to casual celebrations or just hanging out at the bar, this restaurant designed by Chromed Design Studio looks uber chic by day and transforms into a peppy high-end lounge bar by night catering to varied moods with heterogeneity in its seating arrangements from the outdoors to the indoors.

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Largely styled on the principles of classical Victorian architecture, one finds oneself entering the premises via a triangular pediment with arches and columns that instantly establish the design vocabulary. Indoors, the alfresco area greets one with a pleasant and soothing ambience – with a triad of terrazzo flooring (fern green, slate grey and jet black) underfoot and light walnut-hued furniture, printed cushions and egg-shaped table lamps interspersed with natural greens. Offering privacy are the cabanas wrapped in white linen canopies sitting atop a wooden deck giving off cool breezy vibes. With emphasis on an open-plan layout, albeit catering to an overriding need to demarcate sections, low-height latticed brass dividers support this function.

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The indoors and outdoors are seamlessly connected by the rotund bar that has half its semi-circle facing indoors; and the other half with a retractable roof outdoors – each distinctive in its design treatment.  Indoors, red velvet generously paired with printed fabrics and wallpapers in equally lavish motifs complemented by portraits of English royalty inculcate rich luxe appeal. Crystal chandeliers: full-length mirrors clad over columns, their reflections effectively doubling up the space; arches melding into the ceiling, mouldings on ceilings, wainscotted wooden panelling, and walls painted in deep vermillion define classic sovereignty.

Lighting is clearly the showstopper. From chandeliers and table lamps to spots, cove lighting and back-lit panels… different moods are subtly created to suit varied occasions. Moving things to another level is the advanced DMX (digital multiplex) system synchronising different colours of lighting to music and effecting a 3600 transformation of the space from noon to dusk.

Ophelia is a space to be experienced more than once to soak in its finer nuances. 

Fact File:

Client: Akshay Anand

Design Firm: Chromed Design Studio

Principal Designer/Architect: Ar. Abhigyan Neogi

Area: 7,000 sq. ft. (approx.)

Location: The Ashok Hotel, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi