The Vintage Avenue | Feature Friday by Houssup.com

18:28 Unknown 10 Comments

The not-so- old antique

By:- Palak Suckhlecha
Photos courtesy:- Mitul Sharma
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I AM JUST A VINTAGE SOUL

Once upon a time, I entered  a space away from all the hustle on the roads of Delhi into a time- machine transporting me to the golden bygone era. Standing the test of time “The Vintage Avenue” serves fantastically the beautiful ambience of the vintage in all of us. Lost in time due to the very alluring interiors, this place grows on you as you sit there completely mesmerized by this vintage world of artificial foliage, music, beautiful prints, British aura, warm and cozy settings, and entertainment.




WHEREABOUTS

Situated amidst the Hudson Lane in GTB Nagar, Delhi, when you climb up to the first floor you come across a place so exceptional true to its name “The Vintage Avenue”, you can instantly feel like a time traveller. And it’s safe to say that the two floor cafe showcases the yesteryear’s superior charms, where a person feels that he is served grapes along with wine from the vineyard. Creating a shield with there dreamy setup of faux ferns, lights and flowers just above the people in the cafe heightens the overall feel of the vintage cafe. Successfully, this place has also stood the test of time by aesthetically synthesizing all the various old world elements into their salutary vintage settings.



THE INTERIOR STORY

Setting your foot in this cafe you are suddenly hit by the varieties of decorative elements that captivates this place. Elements like floral cushions, old wooden gates used as tables, vintage clocks, posters of old movies, artificial flowers, leaves and plums and vintage knickknacks on display are all perfectly blended to bring out the elegant decors and the beguile of vintage aura. The first floor is divided into two types of seatings, one with cozy small tables for small intimate dates and the other with cushions on the floor to sit in relaxed postures with a bigger group. The floral lamps at the entrance of the first floor are nicely placed to depict what is there to come for people inside. The wooden walls behind the main counter, the small window like displays, the black and white checkered floor tiles, everything compliments to bring to you the interiors that can seize the moment.



As you move to the second floor, the stairs are flanked with photos and CDs from the vintage world. Warm positive aura encapsulates the bar with the help of the hanging lanterns all around the space, giving the cafe it’s very own personality. The vibrant colored walls along with lavish seating areas explains the whole look of the second floor. Adorned with vintage clocks and enchanting lights, this place maintains it’s oriental look while also providing people with a soothing and calming environment.




THE BOTTOM LINE

In North Campus, where all roads lead to Hudson Lane, with several cafes which are easy on the eye and the pocket, The Vintage Avenue turns the table around and is on the race to become everyone’s favorite adda.


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En - The Japanese Restaurant | Feature Friday by Houssup.com

18:47 Unknown 5 Comments

By:- Palak Suckhlecha
Photos courtesy:- Mitul Sharma
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“En” is a holy word in Japan. Such as “Karma” or “Satya” in Hindi.

“En” means synchronicity as significant co-incidence, blessed relationship, invisible connection, fate and destiny.

Dwelled with the meaning of the word “En” and holding the pure Japanese authenticity, the beautiful looking contemporary place has a peaceful and radiating aura which gives us an opportunity to create our own “En”. The place provides solace to the many tired hungry travelers trapped in the scorching heat by giving them the subtle breeze of calmness through their charming interiors and majestic views of one of Delhi’s most famous monuments, the Qutub Minar.


COLORS OF CULTURE

One can say India has a great chance to win its first gold medal in Badminton at the Rio 2016 Olympics. One can also say I’ve visited many culturally authentic restaurants. Would you be able to guess which one of the above two statements is an understatement? Its safe to say that India’s inclination to welcome other cultures and traditions despite having numerous of its own is to stay and develop. Japanese is one such culture gaining it’s popularity through its cuisine just like this hidden gem of a Japanese restaurant En at Kalkadas Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi.



Engrossed in their elegant culture, combined with tasteful furniture and decor in their spacious interiors, En stands out in providing the best of the experiences to its customers. What makes En interesting and different is the connection of En’s promoters to the country Japan. Thus this strong connections along with being aware of the Japanese way of life, makes it possible for En to maintain and bring Japanese authenticity to the plates of their customers.


ENCAPTIVATING INTERIORS

The uber sophisticated restaurant situated in an over 100 year old heritage building, gives a mix of old retained world charm with Japanese contemporary culture. The fine dining experience is perfectly balanced with En’s refreshing and calming interiors. Warm shades of browns and whites used with three dominant colors- gold black and red, makes the place more oriental. Displaying a huge collection of Japanese artifacts, like the Samurai headgear and Samurai swords along with Buddha’s idols placed all around the restaurant gives a feel of a typical Japanese home.


En maintains a classy, understated look, with an almost minimalist touch. The place is spread out with private dinning rooms and party spaces along with outdoor seatings with multiple terrace views. The table spacing is done with perfection, giving the customer an illusion of privacy and comfort. Its needless to say that the place is impressively laid for both large group get togethers as well as intimate romantic meals.


Simplistic furniture, old doors painted golden, arch shaped windows, high ceilings, decorative Japanese artifacts, huge subtle paintings, wooden flooring, flushes of white and lush of daylight, everything compliments to give this restaurant its enthralling Japanese vibe.


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EPILOGUE

The encapsulating authenticity of this place along with the finely prepared and served cuisine, makes a person indulge in this experience again and again. This along with the many emotions felt while dining at En - The Japanese restaurant, secures it’s place at Houssup’s Feature Friday column.


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Tonino Ristorante | Feature Friday by Houssup.com

19:04 Unknown 0 Comments

The Tuscan Villa

By :- Prerna Kapoor
Photos courtesy :- Mitul Sharma and Sameera
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“It has to be about the ambience, about the experience; it has to be about the romance of Italy! “

Well, it’s a marvellous night for a Moondance, with the stars up above in your eyes, a fantabulous night to make romance, underneath the cover of October skies!

A beautiful Tuscan villa with warm exterior & classic wooden interiors, inspired by the enchanting villas from Siena & San Gimignano in Tuscany, Italy, Tonino is named after Mr Tonino Generale of Napoli, whose enticing recipes bring the most authentic Italian cuisines to New Delhi.

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WHEREABOUTS

Tucked away on MG Road, Tonino provides the romance and sensual indulgence as one savour food from a varied menu. The cuisines comprise of the best pizzas in the country along with regional specialities from various parts of the Italy, right from the mountainous Alps of Italy in the North to the warm Sicilian islands in the South.  It’s an oasis of sorts, circumscribed with fruit trees amidst courtyard and veranda, the moment you step on the other side of the wooden door, this place teleports you to a divergent world altogether.

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In this landscape, however, the visual weight of the kiosk, standing proud along the walkway, plays beautifully with the surrounding architecture, adding to the overall composition while drawing visitors up the walk to the front door.


THE STORY


Conceptualization of Mr. Parmeet Sawhney of Eagle Groups of Companies, the finest custom-made upholstery, the unerring use of Tuscan hues, the bar infused with exquisite wine, the nut-brown coloured floor or the flawless setting for a romantic lunch, this place looks endearing in every sense of the word. The restaurant or ristorante (as they call it!), adorned 12 years ago by Mr. Rajiv Narain out of an antiquated property and enhanced time and again by one of the owners, Ms. Simran Sawhney and carefully picked artwork by her sister Ms. Remen Chopra, is designed so tastefully, that you cannot help but gawk around when you visit for the first time. 

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Tuscany is wine country and you can’t go wrong sampling one of its phenomenal wines Tonino has to offer from it’s packed up bar!



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Headed for a cosy date, an evening with your pals, or for an elaborate meal with your family, you’re definitely in for a delicious slap-up meal. The walls exploded with distinct number of carefully picked artefacts, brought together from places around Italy overlooks the restaurant.



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Hand-troweled plaster walls, painted with colors found in nature, add a Tuscan touch to Tonino’s interior. Muted browns, greens and warm earth tones paired with wood trim offer rustic Italian charm. Authentic handpicked furniture is solid wood, heavy and designed to serve several generations.


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Large bars and kitchens, complete with stone fireplaces, are in nearly every traditional Tuscan place. This is where friends and beloveds gather to celebrate good food, good wine and good conversation.



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Strains of bucolic Mediterranean rhythm fill the mood of the air. The electric purple sky hovers over an old red-brick villa. Perfect for a peaceful, serene experience, there is something about this place which stays with you, mingling in your head even after you leave.



EPILOGUE

It is the intimate goodness of flawlessly cooked meals and pastries prepared in the bakery combined with a desire to provide a cosy, welcoming and picturesque venue, for experiencing dining under moonlit skies or the relaxed candlelit lounge, that constitute the cornerstone of the Tonino. The old world charm of the Tuscan Italy at its best!

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The Bikers cafe | Feature Friday by Houssup.com

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“ONLY A BIKER KNOWS WHY A DOG STICKS HIS HEAD OUT OF A CAR WINDOW.” 


By:- Palak Suckhlecha
Photos courtesy:- Mitul Sharma
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ADVENTURE IS NOT OUTSIDE MAN, IT IS WITHIN !
Biking in these harsh environments on Indian highways with freedom in their hearts and goals in their mind, what keep these bikers going are their dreams to finish their journeys. Giving the same feel of fulfilling dreams and living free, is the Biker’s cafe in Emaar MGF Palm Spring Plaza, Sector 54, Gurgaon. 

Opened after the three year old Bikers cafe in Vasant Kunj, the gurgaon cafe was made to uplift the bikers feel even more by creating an atmosphere where they can reminiscent about old road trips and plan for the upcoming ones. 

The place pays tribute to all the bikers and the unique bikes made, by using various elements like the metal bodies of the bikes and biker’s themed quotes plastered on the walls, the detailed cutleries, the headlights and helmets from World War-I used as lighting fixtures, the hooks behind the chairs to hang jackets and the menu featuring the entire history of bikes, etc to design the entire space. Teleporting you to great roads on amazing bikes what makes this place stand out is the fact that this place is a bikers'-art house. 

The Bikers Cafe, Vasant Kunj

The Bikers Cafe, Gurgaon

 FUN, FOOD AND FREEDOM 
“Fun, Food and Freedom are the words that the cafe revolves around”, say Mr. Sanjay Yadav the mind and heart behind this great journey of ‘The bikers cafe’. Traveling through all the ups and downs, this place has rare souvenirs procured from all around the world. Blending all the elements of fun, food, freedom, games, sports and music, these two bikers cafe brought to the world an inspiring creative mix of international and desi lifestyle. 

The eclectic whole adorned with warm lights, small metal bikes, custom-made furnitures, road tiles, hand made paintings provide the space with it’s own biking culture. Both the bikers cafe are exceptional addas for all kinds of customers to come relax and have a pleasant time. 

  THE INTERIOR STORY


An element of craft is visible everywhere in the cafe – whether in furniture, lighting and wall paintings – making each zone feel informal, interesting and comfortable.

The wooden accent is used in the entire space giving it a very rustic yet classy look.


The most significant zone of the project became the bar – shifting the traditional cafe look into a cocktail’ cafe cum bar where visitors could sit around and rejuvenate. The counter tops are scratch and heat resistant with wooden finish. 


The exposed materials like the bricks are used in favor of the aesthetics of the place.  


The use of road tiles with zebra crossing or highway signs painted, enhances the feel of being a biker who is constantly on the roads. 


Open and versatile, the restaurant is split into two looks — the alfresco look is combined with the dark and cozy feel of the inside space to create a balance in the openness. 


This dark wooden look is supported by the creative lighting fixtures used, giving the space it’s warm and intimate feel.


The use of world war I helmet as a lighting pendant, the wheels of a bike as a lighting chandelier, the headlight portion of the bike as a walll sconces, etc, compliments with the bikers theme.
There are huge paintings done by bikers displayed all over, portraying the message of freedom that a biker feels along with metallic boards with inspiring quotations written to intensify customers energy and enthusiasm.  


The entrance with Mr. Sanjay’s Harley Davidson displayed is the perfect depiction of the beginning of the journey of the cafe and after entering their is a wide field of freedom that the cafe brings for the customers to dwell upon. 


“RUN WITH A DESTINATION AND YOU CAN FINALLY SEE WHAT FREEDOM CAN BE.“


An Effort by - Houssup.com

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