Feast For the Senses From Plate to Palate: Mumbai’s Carnival By Trèsind Is A Flavour-Filled Spectacle
From moody interiors to masked mixologists, a culinary fête unfolds at the Carnival by Trèsind, an award-winning restaurant that travels from Dubai.
18Nov'24
5:46 pmbySimran Almeida
Cosplay-clad, masked performers, vibrant hues and a boisterous melody are the perfect ingredients for a dazzling carnival. Inspired by the exuberance of carnival culture, Carnival By Trèsind makes its way from Dubai to an affluent Mumbai neighbourhood, occupying a 3,211 sq. ft. Curated by Bhupender Nath, the visionary behind Passion F&B—a brand that celebrates Indian cuisine worldwide—whose penchant for travel and commitment to bridging gaps in hospitality has made Indian flavours a global phenomenon. With award-winning restaurants across Mumbai and Dubai, Nath’s culinary empire reimagines Indian cuisine with a blend of contemporary flair and ingenuity. With moody interiors and sensory immersion experienced like blind-tasting spirits, Carnival By Trèsind incites a captivating parade of flavours, textures, and aromas.
Whimsical Wonderland Of Revelry
Overlooking Mumbai’s majestic skyline and Juhu’s bustling streets, this restaurant designed by Vinay Mathias of hCube, shares a wall with Avatara—a vegetarian concept dining venue from Dubai, run by the same hospitality group, Passion F&B. An intimate waiting area serves as an entrée to a sleek foyer, where two tables rest against a stained wall, bathed in natural light filtering through the curtain walls. A glimmering mirror-clad partition wall further reveals the restaurant’s distinct sections; a DJ booth, a private dining room, a bar area and the set tables.
A chevron-patterned marble flooring—reflecting the restaurant’s Dubai settings—guides one through the interiors featuring stark black walls, bronze accents and dazzling gold murals. Opposing the entrance, a bar with a backlit counter and island seats peeks from through the copper trees, that parlay as the partition. These copper trees, a signature element of the Dubai outpost, infuse a hint of shimmer to the otherwise moody palette. With a vault disguised by empty bottles, neon blue lighting and masked mixologists, the bar offers programmes like blind tasting, that embody the essence of a carnival. Monikered after carnivals worldwide—an assortment of concoctions served here, are anything but honied.
Game Of Flavours
Stepping away from the bar, one is greeted by a wall adorned with copper trinkets against gold murals, leading the way to the banquettes and loose seatings, each featuring hand-painted copper foliage on the table tops. Copper masks embellished with variegated feathers, reference the feisty parade-goers of Brazilian street carnivals— ‘Blocos de Rua’ while exuding a dramatic flair. A sequestered dining room, bordered by chevron patterned-stained glass partition, imparts an intimate and cosy character.
In the 10-seater dining room, a black tabletop with copper-foilage artwork and pink murals perpetuates the essence of the fiesta. The piece de resistance, a pink, bejewelled butterfly takes cues from Brazil’s iconic Samba dancers, enchanting its patrons with the spirit of the carnivals. The moody interiors, speckled with eclectic tchotchkes pay homage to carnivals across cultures, enhancing the immersive dining experience.
Carnival by Trèsind’s delectable menu, curated by Chef Sarfaraz Ahmed, tells tales of the region with a contemporary lens while redefining Indian dining. Dishes like the ‘Tandoori Portobello Steak’ plated on a hibachi and ‘Lobster’-stuffed ‘Vada Pav’ paired with ‘Togarashi Lasooni Chutney’ and ‘Tangy Yuzu Kosho’, bring a fresh flair to classic fare. A six-course set menu further adds a crafty layer, starting by blending nostalgic elements and bold flavours, such as a smiling ‘Pumpkin Dabeli’—’ Amuse-Bouche’ and rich flavours like ‘Malabar Tamarind & Pepper Soup’ culminating into a decadent ‘Filter Coffee Tiramisu’. Chef Ahmed’s approach intertwines storytelling, and a global palate for a memorable culinary experience.
At Carnival by Trèsind, the spirit of celebration unveils like a vibrant symphony where every dish, trinket, and vibrant hues way to a rhythm of flavours and stories. Akin to a carnival, which is a journey through a tapestry of cultures and traditions, each dish is more exhilarating than the last. Here, beneath the glow of shimmering copper trees and amid the hum of masked revellers, the culinary parade invites patrons to lose themselves in its whirlwind of taste, transforming every bite into a jubilant encore that lingers long after the feast ends.