The huge gate in a dim alley lined up with earthy ropes stands like a sentinel to a deserted castle. I hesitate, thinking I am at the wrong place when two pretty things appear to open the gate. I am in a different world altogether; calm and tranquil. The only sound I hear is flowing water. Two tall ladies in stone tower over me. A beautifully sculpted Buddha face with a necklace adds to the visual delight.
This is ‘Shiro', literally meaning The Castle, a spectacular 6500 square feet ‘fun' dining restaurant that doubles up as a night club on weekends. “Shiro was created to give guests the opportunity to indulge in a dining experience pleasing to the mind, body and soul,” say noted restaurateurs and promoters Jay Singh and Sanjay Mahtani.
“The huge space with high ceilings, stone carving, statues and tear drops make a charming ambience ideal for any occasion: casual or business lunch or an evening function.”
Catering to all moods
Earth, Sky, Fire and Heaven are at different levels; so first you decide where you belong and are seated. For spirit lovers, the revelry is at the large bar. For fun lovers like me, the Teppanyaki area with its three live cooking stations is the right choice.
Here, the chefs are not just cooks but magicians too. Before rustling up your choice of dish, they toss utensils, throw eggs at you and, if they like you, sing a Bollywood number and break into a jig. All this, if you are lucky. The restaurant also has a pretty alfresco area overlooking the green belt and the pool.
The castle-like interiors, done up in stone, are accentuated with a warm colour palette in sensuous materials such as plush velvet and shimmering copper metallic sheers. Bathed in red, tubular glasses loop down, tiny lights play peek-a-boo at the bar while the red wall with black pots on top is the DJ's secret space.
The entire wall folds up, the DJ console appears and the dance party is in full swing! A perfect fusion of a high energy metropolis and soulful Zen tranquillity.
Shiro's culinary team — which includes Chef Rahul Hajarnavis and Chef Parampreet Luthra — has created a menu that blends the fresh-and-light style of Pan Asian cuisine with the liveliness of Teppanyaki. The menu is a kaleidoscopic range of Japanese cuisine, nomadic traditions of Korean cuisine, multi-ethnic cuisine of Malaysia, Thai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and herb-infused fragrances of Vietnamese dishes.
There's something special every day of the week but what I think tops the list is the Sunday Brunch. What better way to spend a sultry Sunday afternoon than with delicious dim sums, sushi platter, maki roll and a glass of fine wine.
You can also get your favourite dishes made at the live counter as you sip one of their many delightful cocktails or mocktails.
The talkative Sachin Sachdeva will make sure you taste the famous Shiro Demerara Fig Mojito, which is fig-infused dark rum with lime and mint, or Rude Cosmopolitan with tequila, triple sec and cranberry juice, a big time favourite for that extra zing.
The menu at Shiro changes seasonally according to the availability of ingredients, since the emphasis is on procuring fresh elements as well as conjuring them up according to popular demand. For example, Fish with Chilli Mustard Sauce from the Monsoon Menu is a hot favourite as is Shiro's popular Lamb Dumplings sizzling in wood-smoked BBQ sauce.
What has been getting rave feedback from guests is Lobster/Prawn Laksa with a Shiro twist. Chef Parampreet says, “The laksa in Shiro is a combination of Thai and Indonesian influences. Instead of laksa leaves, we use basil and cilantro. We don't use it as a soup with noodles, but a base for some dim sum preparations and main course sauces with a hint of tamarind and Thai red chilli paste."
For the sweet tooth
Desserts have an air of exclusivity. Indulge in the classic platter of chocolate sushi flavoured with Kahlua, Bailey's and seasonal fruits; or Tiramisu with Kahlua. Absolutely sinful!
Shiro is not just a place to eat. More liberal than a lounge and quainter than a club, it is a visually seductive restaurant/bar where the sophistication of the atmosphere is matched only by the unique influences of an exotic menu.
Plenty of charm, character, singing chefs, and two towering ladies keeping an eye on you with a flirtatious smile, if you please!
More info: http://shiro.co.in/
