TETSUMA High Society Hub
Like a huge jigsaw created from space, Tetsuma, the restaurant that finally brought Japanese cusine to Mumbai, changes dimensions – well, almost. Designed by Pronit Nath, with inputs from prorietors Vickrant Chougule and Aditya Kilachand – a young and dynamic duo – the restaurant aims to portray modern Japan with Asian influences. Huge screens on tracks move along with the requirements, creating little cubbyholes for tables that provide privacy as well as allow interaction. Water elements, pond-like, can be filled or drained to accommodate tables or not, so that the space seems to contract or expand, from as large as a seven-seater to as small as a 40-seater. Original design this from three innovative minds that seem to work in tandem.

“We were looking at timeless design,” says Chougule, formal in his suit and tie. “So, we used stone and wood, which don’t go out of fashion. The screens we conceptualised, too, give a sense of enclosure and yet let in the feel of the buzz outside. These are changed pretty much every day.” Why Japanese? I ask. “It’s a favourite food of ours,” says Chougule. “We travel a lot and all the cool restaurants coming up around the world are Japanese. And yet we are innovators, not imitators.” The cuisine, like the décor, is, well, different and the new Robata Grill menu includes items like scallops and black cod that are as delicious and flavoursome as the interior.

Between Tetsuma and the club next door, Privé, Chougule and Kilachand have managed to create this really happening night spot in Mumbai’s Colaba area. As the young and hip flock here to dinner and party, Tetsuma’s light cuisine is perfect for clubbing and barr ing, after. In fact, “It was important for us to fuse the lounge element with the dinner area,” says Kilachand, who looks like a party person, himself. “Pretty much everyone in Mumbai comes here,” shrugs his partner. “Just pick a name out of a hat.”