Dine & Design: An Intimate Supper Club Experience at Papa’s
Chef Hussain, Shonan Purie Trehan and Esha Gupta came together to craft an unforgettable evening at Papa’s into an exclusive supper club experience.
This November 21st, Papa’s collaborated with Studio LABWerk’s visionary architect Shonan Purie Trehan and Design Pataki’s founder, Esha Gupta, to create an evening where taste and creativity converged seamlessly. Known for her flair in orchestrating memorable soirées, Ms. Gupta envisioned an Instagram contest that opened the doors to culinary enthusiasts eager to experience an extraordinary evening. This thoughtful initiative brought together ten winners, each chosen for their passion for food and design, to partake in an exclusive supper club experience.
In the bustling heart of Mumbai, where the gastronomical landscape is as diverse as the city itself, dining out is often an exercise in abundance rather than art. Yet, how often does a restaurant linger in memory, not just for its food but for the alchemy of ambience, storytelling and connection? Papa’s, the latest addition to the Hunger Inc. family, dares answer these questions. Perched in the attic space above Veronica’s in Bandra, Papa’s is a design-forward, multisensory dining phenomenon.
A Space Steeped in Story
Crafted by Shonan Purie Trehan, the restaurant feels like stepping into a 1980s Mumbai home, characterised by its warm embrace of nostalgia alongside a modern edge. The interiors feature a mix of soothing wooden tones, Art Deco accents, and personal touches like vintage ceramics and whimsical artwork. Chef Hussain Shahzad, one of India’s most celebrated chefs, performs his mesmerizing alchemy in an open kitchen, adding a theatrical element to the experience. “Papa’s celebrates all the rules I’ve learnt, followed, and broken in the kitchen,” says Chef Hussain. “As a canvas for creativity, it’s an opportunity to push the boundaries of what we know as Indian fare and get people to eat outside the lines.”
Also Read: Mumbai’s Gastronomic Adventures: A Minimalistic Gelateria, A Quaint Rustic Restaurant, And Beyond
Breaking Stereotypes, One Plate at a Time
The evening of ‘Dine & Design’ unfolded like a masterclass in unbridled hedonism. Guests were welcomed with a specially curated cocktail, ‘Madame Pataki’, concocted from Patrón tequila, 400 Conejos mezcal, aromatic curry leaf and a smidge of CO2 for an effervescent finish. Each course reflected Chef Hussain’s inventiveness and love for stories. Chef Hussain’s version of the ‘Rasam,’ for instance, married cured trout with a watermelon rasam broth, lime leaf oil, and trout roe. The provocatively named ‘What the Duck!’ showcased Ambur biryani’s audaciousness infused with paella’s socarrat, featuring dry-aged duck and smoked aubergine raita. Meanwhile, the ‘Wellington,’ a dish steeped in British tradition, transformed into a Kashmiri fantasy, layering yakhni and morels within a delicate pastry, complemented by a pumpkin makhani sauce.
Even the most familiar names on the menu like ’Samosa,’ ‘Modak,’ and ‘Biryani,’ became gateways to rediscovery. Ossetra caviar and 12-month-old Comté found a willing partner in a Chenna Poda canelé, while Lion’s mane mushrooms, rabbit meat, and Red Weaver ants brought India’s rarest ingredients to the forefront.
Papa’s: A Template For The Future
As the evening progressed, it became clear that every detail had been meticulously considered. Every detail made the evening at Papa’s a sensory tapestry, from the vintage-inspired tableware to the ambient playlist. Papa’s is the fifth venture by Hunger Inc. Hospitality, the team behind some of India’s most celebrated dining concepts. Led by Sameer Seth and Yash Bhanage, Hunger Inc. has always championed the idea of food as a cultural middleman.
