Trendy, quirky and stylish, it's a
tableware odyssey
By Sharmila Chand
Published: 18th August 2013 12:00 AM
Sunday Standard
They
say you first eat with your eyes. In in this age of diverse dining experience,
visual impact is everything. From interior design to presentation of the
tabletop, diners expect a lot more than food.
Tableware
is a huge investment and it pays to make an intelligent buy say hoteliers. Fine
dining restaurants and casual eateries alike have embraced the idea of mixing
and matching innovative tabletop platters. The idea is to be versatile,
exclusive and coordinated.
“The
customer perception of food presentation is higher than ever before and chefs
are looking for more innovative presentation materials and style,” says Tarun
Seth, Director F&B at The Claridges, New Delhi.
“From
music to lighting to aesthetics on the table, creating a holistic dining
atmosphere is about details. Crockery and cutlery is significant to this,” adds
Seth.
Kama,
the Indian restaurant at Radisson Blu Ghaziabad is a case in point. Everything
from the gold plated ceiling to tables adorned with mother of pearl mats scream
the wow factor.
“Kama
means pleasure of the senses, the aesthetic enjoyment of life. We have worked
on every detail to enhance the dining experience,” says Mohit Khanna, Executive
Chef. “Our amuse platter is a showstopper with its mix of slate and porcelain.
The green and blue of our crockery look fabulous when empty, but when combined
with food, it's visual appeal at another level,” adds Nikhil Rastogi, Executive
Sous Chef.
A riot
of colours on the table is trendy and delightful. Prego at The Westin Gurgaon,
is a perfect example to showcase a cheerful, whimsical synergy between colours
and shapes.
Amit
Kumar, Food and Beverage Manager says, “Prego stands for fun, casual and
untailored. The cutlery and ceramics have been chosen to depict a synergy in
the theme. You will not find the same design of napkins on an individual table.
Same for plates. As shape and size of tableware differ, so does colour. With
oranges, greens and yellows, you will find blues and reds. This adds to the
impact of the décor on the guest. It serves as an aid to Prego’s aim to convey
the message of Come As You Are.”
Today,
round is boring. Square or oblong are a hit. Demand for contemporary flatware
with sleek lines and occasional sculpted accent is at a peak. The handle of the
tablespoon could well be triangular or cylindrical instead of the typical flat.
While
whimsical graphics adds humour and interest, green tableware reinforces the ‘Go
Green’ mantra. Vibrant ethnic prints promote a more urban, chic look.
At
Monkey Bar, Bangalore, India's first gastropub, there is a unique spin to
everything. Says Chef Manu Chandra, Partner, “Our tableware is eclectic and
irreverent. It refuses to conform to any norm and the crockery is a cheerful
mismatch and, somehow, perfectly complements the honest wholesomeness of the
food. Aunt Maise from Saligao parted with her recipe of Pork Sorpotel for us
and on her instructions is served in a jam pot with warm pav; our Pickled Beef
comes in a traditional bharani, while our pot-stickers are served in muffin
trays. Mismatched crockery in exciting colours reflect the vibrant, quirky,
irreverent yet warm and spirited nature of the gastropub. Happy spring foam
cake tins carrying an assortment of hot sauces will keep the most hardened
chilli freaks satisfied both visually as well as in flavour."
The tabletop saga thus
reflects trendy lifestyle and an appetite for change—in food, as in cars and
clothes.
