Out With the Old and in With the New

Nikhila Palat Aug 23, 2016

ON AUGUST 6, 2016, India's oldest 24 hour coffee shop Shamiana became the newest eatery in town to reopen in an entirely new avatar. Shamiana has quite a story to tell.

First opened in the 1970's, Shamiana was where Mumbai's glamour waited patiently in the hotel lobby to be seated. It was where business deals were signed over caffe lattes and where young love courted over street food. From insomniacs gorging over kheem-pao to cheerful tourists sipping on a thandai, the diner had created an indelible mark in the country's culinary trajectory. Under the leadership of maestro's like Chef Mascarenhas and Chef Oberoi, dining under the multi-coloured tent was THE place to be seen.

Later in the 80's the restaurant moved location towards the swimming pool with an expensive facelift and a more subdued decor. What remained was the clamouring crowds and the warm hospitality.

On 6th August 2016, the renowned all-day diner returned back to its original location re-imaged with a relaxed ambience, an all new comfort menu and an informal air. Offering both indoor and alfresco dining, Shamiana's interiors celebrate its vibrant history with a colonial-style fabric that creates a modern take on the tented ceiling. An interesting addition is the wall of fame with black & white photographs of loyal patrons echoing the spirit nostalgia. The menu boasts of curated dishes by Italian Chef Roberto Collini and an Autograph menu featuring signature dishes of Taj chef's from around the globe.

“Shamiana has an iconic status with generations of patrons. This renovation is to honour our guests and ensure that Shamiana becomes the favourite destination for the next generation.” said, Taljinder Singh, Area Director—Mumbai and General Manager, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

With a new location, new decor and new menu you would think it's an entirely new restaurant. But in this case history hasn't been reinvented, it's just been reopened!

6.8 miles from the iconic Taj, stands another landmark hotel - Intercontinental Marine Drive. Nestled in the Art Deco precinct of Mumbai, Intercon, as it is fondly referred to is also a special kind of vintage.

Initially the Natraj hotel in the 70's, the lobby housed a popular ice-cream parlour Yankee Doodle. With breathtaking views of the Arabian sea the ice-creamery was a hot favourite with the college crowd. Packed through the day with youngster slurping on a 'Rocky road' and lovebirds canoodling on the swings, Yankee doodle was very much a part of Mumbai's memoirs.

Many a change later, In 2010, the very same space welcomed Koh by Ian Kittichai, Mumbai’s first signature Thai restaurant. Koh too was a house of firsts, spearheading international dining and blending it with high tech gadgets like the interactive I-pad menu.

Today, the left of the lobby has once again been transformed but this time into Atellier, the hotels new banquet offering. Atellier, architecturally aligning with the hotels Art Deco facade, is a banquet space that promises to recalibrate our understanding of luxury. With lattice mirror works, an Art Deco themed bar, mood lighting that ranges from exquisite chandeliers to scented candles, Atellier combines intimacy and premium luxury. From weddings to cocktail soirees, brunches to birthdays, the space has the ability to transform into a venue appropriate for the occasion. The regal Arabian Sea as the backdrop and a glistening Queen’s Necklace to boot, Atellier is set to be the venue of many a celebration

Says InterContinental Marine Drive’s General Manager, Manas Krishnamoorthy, “Atellier is a space for all occasions. From business milestones to personal ones, Atelier has the capacity and the character to make each of them memorable.

Changing times, bring with them changing trends. The quest remains to stay timely, while aiming to be timeless!