Celebrities papped in the Bandra-Khar-Juhu-Santacruz belt is not an uncommon sight. Frankly, I have seen Arpita Khan Sharma’s restaurant Mercii in many pap reels already. Launched in December, I couldn’t make it to the party, but my Instagram feed has been full of celeb sightings outside the swanky restaurant nestled in 81 Crest. A couple of weeks ago I was invited by Arpita herself to sample the menu and be part of an immersive dining experience the team had put together for select media personnel. Here’s how it went!
9000 Sq. Ft. Of Interactive Wonder
Owned by Arpita Khan Sharma in collaboration with Ketul & Gaurav Parikh and Anuj & Vicky Chugh of Richboyz Hospitality and Richboyz Entertainment, the place welcomes the elite to a ritzy, fine-dining European experience.
Walk into the lobby and head straight down to the lower level to step into the world of Mercii, which means “thank you” in French. Behind the massive door lies a 9000 square feet space that makes a grand first impression. But it is not the vast bar or the plush seating or the expansive floor space that captures my attention. It is the playful ceiling that took me by surprise. The good kind! Since it is on the lower ground floor, there is no way to let in any natural light. So, the visionaries behind the concept went ahead and created one. The “immersive” aspect of that dining comes from there.
I asked Arpita how the concept took form, and she quipped, “When Carl, our designer from Creative Clinic (Dubai), suggested the ceiling as a concept, it’s something that immediately caught my fancy. With the immersive ceiling we are able to change the lighting and mood of the ambience at Mercii. And, this helps us create a vibe. It also adds to the expanse and makes the place look more dramatic and larger than life.”
A quick lap around the room which is palatial as compared to other Mumbai restaurants, you can spot all kinds of seating arrangements. Coves, corners, high tables, low couches, couple’s tables, a massive bar and DJ area, and more playful areas. There is also a private section which can accommodate up to 30 guests. And, no guesses, it is where celebrities can be spotted more than often.
Mercii Has European Cuisine With Storytelling At Its Heart
Mercii has culinarian Deniss Koll as Group Culinary Director who is a storyteller at heart. He welcomed us warmly and took time to individually speak with everyone at the table. He animatedly described his vision and food experimentations. And, enthusiastically shared anecdotal references behind certain dishes drawing from personal explorations around Mumbai.
Ask Arpita how the chef came aboard, and she says, “So, to be honest. Chef Dennis is the choice of my Partners Ketul & Gaurav. We met a lot of chefs and did tastings, too. But something or the other was not the way we would have liked it to be. Then, one of Ketul & Gaurav’s friends — who is also a chef from a very famous restaurant in Dubai and who had worked with Deniss closely — suggested him. When he came to Mumbai and gave us a trial we figured that his heart and culinary skills were in the right place and his cooking was great, too.”
The food here is European and Arpita wants to maintain the authenticity. She wants diners to appreciate the meticulous curation of dishes staying true to the flavours. She wanted the menu to be only European and not have Asian or Indian components. The thought behind that was not to have a multi-cuisine approach but a very pointed one. She firmly believes patrons would come only for what the menu offers. Her personal favourite is the four-cheese pizza known as the Quattro formage. She loves it even more when the chef adds a bit of extra blue cheese, just for her.
Image Courtesy: Rachna Srivastava
During our dinner, we tried Mercii Surprise, Sweetcorn Risotto, Avocado Mash, Freshwater Prawn Popcorn, Truffle Greens, Avocado Taquitos, Tuna Tartar, Crispy Chicken, and more.
The ingredients are fresh, the flavours are subtle and I quite liked the Raw bites section. The tuna and truffle greens were good to start with, The avocado mash was nice. I liked the prawns and crispy chicken. Their pizzas are good. I had a Classic Margherita with the pizza base as the star.
They also do curated cocktails and they certainly pack a punch. I savoured Basil Blossom, Mercii Murmur, and G&T.
Should You Visit Mercii?
Image Courtesy: Rachna Srivastava
My first impression of the menu is that they are keeping it fresh and European. Chef Koll, with his German roots and recently-found desi side, is all in for experimentation with local ingredients and flavours. I am talking about the spice quotient of the dishes, which by Chef’s calculations may be hot for the palate but are likely a cakewalk for Indians. He is learning that quickly.
The highlight for me is the ambience. Throughout the evening I kept looking at the interactive ceiling, which was autumn leaves at one point, clouds at another, and even had “Happy Birthday” plastered all over the screens as it was, indeed, a patron’s name day.
As for should you make way to Mercii, I would suggest so. You can indulge in a very fancy date night or a cosy family dinner here.
Where: 81 Crest Linking Road, Below The Collective Showroom, Santacruz (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400054
When: 7 pm to 1 am
Cost: ₹4000 for 2 without alcohol (approx)
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