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In a one-of-a-kind initiative, ZeeZest.com introduced its maiden experiential event—The Elephant Room x Ekaa bar takeover in Mumbai. Yugnes (Yugi) Susela, ace mixologist and founder, The Elephant Bar, Singapore came down to Mumbai and for two days had the city’s gourmand’s enthralled with his India-inspired cocktails, while chef Niyati Rao of Ekaa Mumbai paired some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes that paired with the drinks.
The cocktail menu featured five of The Elephant Room’s most popular cocktails including Pina Rasam, which was Susela’s expression of pineapple rasam in a Nick and Nora cocktail glass. The cocktail was also the most popular cocktail at the #TERxEKAA bar takeover. Yugi, as he is popularly known as, said, “This is my third time in India, and I am sure I can deliver the flavours that will ensure that the customer in Mumbai has a holistic experience and goes back home with a smile on their face.”
“Yugi's great with his mixology skills and I am glad to collaborate with him for this pop-up,” said chef Rao. Her team plated dishes such as sourdough, mushroom and tomato that were designed for the ingredient to be the star of the plate—true to the restaurant’s philosophy. In a rare union, the cocktails and food were the perfect foil for each other.
The two evenings of exclusive experience was attended by connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike. “The idea that a Singaporean mixologist and a Mumbai chef can pull an experience like this together, makes me look forward to more such experiences from ZeeZest.com,” said media and communications veteran Paritosh Joshi who was one the many satisfied guests at the event.
The creative geniuses of Susela and Rao coming together was all about reimagining Indian flavours. For those who don’t know, Singapore’s The Elephant Room is World's 50 Best Discovery while Ekaa Mumbai, within the 14 months of its existence, has ranked at No 93 in Asia’s best restaurant list two weeks ago.
#TERxEKAA bar takeover was a ticketed event for 40 people per day held on March 24-25, 2023. It was an initiative by ZeeZest.com, curated by The Horologists.
Photo: Zee Zest