Food Review: This new uber-luxe cafe in Mumbai's BKC serves Italian flavours

Trust signor Armani to offer classically understated fashion rooted in heritage Italian craftsmanship and a culinary experience that mirrors the fashion giantrsquos signature aesthetic This writer spotted the board for South Asiarsquos first ArmaniCaffegrave in BKCrsquos Jio World Plaza several months ago imagining the gilded neat interiors that their decor design brand ArmaniCasa is known for As for the mystery of what simmers in an Armani kitchen this was unveiled earlier this month with the restaurantrsquos openingCanneloni Con Ricotta E SpinaciThe highend eatery shares walls with the Giorgio Armani fashion store and has a glass front facade that gives a glimpse of its tealgreen interiors and gold accents just as imagined It takes more than a week to get a reservation for two for a weekend dinner We get a sensory welcome from mixed notes of smoky tomato truffle and cheese wafting from the tables when we visit Several spots are occupied and we get a small table for two with diners and mixed conversations surrounding us Jaunty accordion tunes play in the background as a closer look at the wall coverings reveals a beautiful fabric texture Palm motifs fluted patterns glass and mirrors break the calming solid colours which dominate the interiorsThe menu offers salads soups pasta pizzas and main course options inspired by the designerrsquos home favourites So you wonrsquot just be eating a regular Caesar salad but the Armani version The tomatoes are flown in from Italy but the singleorigin coffee is proudly sourced from Indian estates The wine menu is supposed to be a prized section Unfortunately their liquor licence hasnrsquot come yet but we are told it will in a few daysThe upscale eatery adjacent to the Giorgio Armani store reveals tealgreen interiors with sleek gold accents through its glass facadeA platter of different breads is served as we sit Keeping our hands off the aromatic bakes while we wait for our antipasti caniff con fonduta di Parmigiano R 1050 is challenging The fried potato croquettes mark their quick arrival on the table with a heady aroma of black truffles Perfectly earthy crisp and gooey we crave more parmesan fondue making for just a few tiny swirls on the plate Loving their bread offerings we order a bagel con tartare di avocado e salmone affumicato R1150mdashan avocado salmon bagel sandwich The service is quick and the flavours are deep The smoked salmon pairs smoothly with the creamy avocado tartare a super tasty superfood what brekkie panini dreams are made of The pizza friarielli sanita R1650 is ready much before we finish the wholesome sandwich Is this what an Italian nonnarsquos loving dining room feels likeThey usually make this dish with yellow tomatoes which are unavailable the day we visit we donrsquot mind the red sauce instead too The pizza is simultaneously lean and cheesy and is the only average dish from our dinner We are bound to expect more from Italian pizza especially when the tomatoes are imported Our final dish is canneloni con ricotta e spinaci R1250 The mains are quick to arrive too and the oozing cheesecovered dish is a delight Three rolls of cannelloni pasta come stuffed with a decadent mix of cheese and spinach heightened by the flavour of basil sauceBy now we are in our dreams imagining sitting under the Italian sun enjoying deep reds with several plates of cheese bread and pasta We almost drop our bread platter off our small table and return to Mumbairsquos congested reality Therersquos no room for dessert and we have spent a bomb minus drinks This gives us the perfect opportunity to visit again if we get a table To rest our feet with a nutty cup of coffee and a hazelnut eacuteclair after an hour spent looking at couturefilled windows in the plaza finding satisfaction in eating couture if not buying it at least What ArmaniCaffeAt Jio World Plaza BKCWHEN 12 PM to 1145 PMCALL 7021561490Rating GoodArmaniCaffegrave did not know about our visit Sunday midday reviews anonymously and pays for meals