Avartana, Chennai: A Magical Southern Saga
At Avartana, located within the grand ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, South Indian cuisine is reborn as a work of art. The name itself, Sanskrit for 'rhythm' or 'mysticism', hints at the experience to come. Dining here is not about ordering a la carte; it's
about choosing a narrative. Guests select from several set tasting menus with names like 'Maya' (mystical), 'Bela' (sumptuous), and 'Jiaa' (a chef's masterpiece), each offering a multi-course journey from seven to thirteen plates. The story is one of radical innovation rooted in deep respect for tradition. Familiar flavours are presented in startling new forms: rasam is infused tableside in a French press, and desserts arrive as interactive creations, like a pannacotta 'egg' in a bird's nest that you crack open with a tiny hammer. Each course is a conversation starter, a playful twist that reimagines the textures, aromas, and tastes of the South, making for a truly magical culinary epic.
Indian Accent, New Delhi & Mumbai: A Culinary Map of India
Long celebrated as a pioneer of modern Indian food, Indian Accent has mastered the art of culinary storytelling. The restaurant's tasting menu is described as a 'love letter to the flavours of India,' taking diners on an edible expedition across the subcontinent without ever leaving their seats. The chefs are known for weaving together global techniques with deeply traditional and often unexplored Indian ingredients, shattering stereotypes about the nation's cuisine. The menu tells a story of regional diversity. One course might be a nod to the bustling street food of Delhi, another a tribute to the coastal flavours of Kerala, and the next an homage to a forgotten recipe from a remote village. Dishes are inventive and thoughtful, like the iconic blue cheese naan or the sweet and sour Meetha Achaar Pork Ribs, which have become synonymous with the restaurant. A meal here is a journey that connects nostalgia with innovation, creating a flavourful narrative of India's vast and varied culinary landscape.
Masque, Mumbai: A Tribute to the Land
Housed in a converted textile mill, Masque is less a restaurant and more an 'ingredient-led tasting theatre'. Its ten-course tasting menu is a story that changes with the seasons, paying tribute to India's diverse produce and the small-scale farmers who cultivate it. The philosophy is simple: let the ingredients tell their own tale. Chefs travel the country in search of the finest local and indigenous ingredients, from Himalayan seabuckthorn to unique regional grains, and build their narrative around them. Every course reads like a delicious tale about a specific destination or ingredient. This 'farm-to-table' ethos means the experience is constantly evolving. Dishes like charred corn pani puri or dal ravioli with green toor showcase familiar components in unexpected and refined ways. Dining at Masque is an interactive journey that highlights sustainability and honours the origins of food, making you a part of a story that begins in the soil and ends on your plate.
Karigari, Various Cities: An Ode to Indian Artisans
The name 'Karigari' translates to 'artisanship,' and that single word encapsulates the restaurant's entire philosophy. Billed as a storytelling restaurant, every dish here narrates a tale of India's rich culinary heritage and the skilled artisans behind it. Helmed by the popular Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, Karigari blends tradition with a contemporary flair, creating an experience that feels both authentic and innovative. The menu is a celebration of craftsmanship, where traditional recipes are thoughtfully curated and given a modern presentation. The focus is on honouring the 'Karigars'—the unseen masters of Indian cuisine—by bringing their time-honoured techniques to the forefront. By prioritizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the restaurant creates an immersive dining experience that captures the essence of Indian culinary traditions while adapting them for the modern palate. Each meal is a chapter in the larger story of India's enduring artistry in the kitchen.
