As the setting for numerous movies, television shows and much else, New York has captured the imagination of pretty much everyone. For first-time restaurateurs, Manashwai and Aastha Gupta, the Big Apple serves as inspiration for their three-storey Bandra restaurant aptly named, 'It Happened in New York'.
Through the restaurant, the couple is keen to foster a sense of community. “We want it to be a place where those who have strong connections with New York will visit to reminisce,” says the duo. “And those who are yet to experience the pull of that fine city, will keep coming back for more, as we bring them New York on a plate and in their cocktail glass.”
The restaurant is done up with cerulean blue walls, and carpets, with a terrace that allows guests to enjoy al fresco dining. Those looking for a tipple can make their way to the first floor, where an 18-foot bar offers to a range of drinks.
“We have divided up the three floors to represent different aspects of the five [NY] boroughs,” says Manashwai. “For example, the ground floor is designed like a deli in Brooklyn, with its warm, welcoming vibe and the benefit of a lot of natural sunlight coming in, which makes it a perfect spot for breakfast or brunch.” He adds that the first floor offers the cool vibe of a loft in New York.
Manashwai and Aastha Gupta. — Photo: Special Arrangement
With the 18-foot bar, and ‘hidden’ store room, the space also provides the impression of a speakeasy bar. The top storey is the restaurateurs version of Central Park. “Because it’s a terrace, we have brought in a lot of trees and plants, curated to the Mumbai climate, to ensure that there is abundant greenery up there, year-round,” he says. The establishment will have jazz music playing, creating a cosy environment ensconced in carpets, and drapes, with a faux fireplace
At the bar, the drinks are categorised under ‘chapters’ like fermented, slings and toddies and punches. The menu features classics such as the Sazerac and Whiskey Sour as well as interestingly put together concoctions like the Brooklyn Punch (made with Gordon’s Gin and Campari for buzz, and jasmine tea for body, along with purees and spices), the rum-based Central Park Swizzle and the Marigold Fizz, made with house-made, flower-infused gin.
The Menu
When it comes to food, the menu features dishes that either recreate dishes from the Big Apple or are inspired by the city, with special twists. So Manhattan’s Gray’s Papaya’s hot dogs are the cues behind Recession Special — which serves two hot dogs, two ways, with a side of papaya salad — as Gray’s started serving in the days after the 2008 recession. New England lobster rolls; a hipster favourite — avocado on toast — and key lime pie are some of the other eats. Other dishes use the premise of the space as a jumping off point including rainbow bagels, moringa and caramel flavoured popcorn, buckwheat pancakes and Korean fried chicken.
Chef Sanyo Vaz helms the kitchen, though the menu was put together with consultant Kartikeya Ratan, who has spent time cooking at the Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park in Manhattan.
“We spent years sourcing from local concerns — we have combed the country to find suppliers who can offer us the kind of quality, local ingredients that we wanted to feature in each dish,” says Manashwai, talking about the restaurant’s food philosophy. “We bring in fresh ingredients every day — the salads, for example, are not pre-done; they come straight from the chef’s pantry and he decides what to serve, based on what is available that day.” He adds that the same philosophy applies to seafood — they may may serve mussels or pomfret based on what is freshly available in the market that day.
“Less than 2% of our ingredients are imported — we also make our own bread and are building out our bakery offerings quite a bit,” he says.
So the vegetables are coming from a farm in Pune, while black rice is sourced from Manipur and sausages are being brought over from a German who lives in Bengaluru.
For city-residents looking to be transported to the Big Apple, this might be the cheaper and easier alternative, than booking the next flight.
It Happened in New York is located in Bandra (west). Phone: 33951617
