The launch of Armani/Caffè is the beginning of a new era of luxury dining in India

Lately, we’ve developed a new obsession—Nara Smith’s making food from scratch in her TikTok videos. And well, this fascination quickly took an exciting turn when Marc Jacobs collaborated with the influencer for the launch of their new tote bag. Known for creating almost anything from scratch while dressed in à la mode clothes, the influencer quipped in her signature style, “I’ve been craving a delicious red Marc Jacobs tote bag since I woke up. So, instead of going to the store to buy one, I thought I’d make it myself.”

This marked one of the most iconic collaborations between a luxury brand and partially the culinary world. If you trace the history of fashion brands, you'll see that the worlds of food and fashion have a longstanding connection. Joining this parade is the Italian luxury brand Armani, which is set to launch its café in Mumbai. 

While this trend is brimming for some time now, it actually began in the 1990s with Ralph Lauren, who opened his first concept restaurant in Chicago. This was followed by Dior, which introduced a café as part of its boutique, and Versace, which opened a dining establishment in Milan in the early 1990s. Naturally, other luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada have since cohered the cavalcade too.

At their core, these fashion brands wanted to create a more immersive experience for fashion enthusiasts. While these ventures have certainly been successful, recent years have seen the growing popularity of luxury brands and their food chains making their way to Asia. For instance, Miu Miu collaborated with Kulture House during Ramadan to deliver a truly indulgent experience. Meanwhile, Louis Vuitton opened its own café, Le Café Louis Vuitton, in Bangkok. Gucci also opened restaurants in Seoul, South Korea, and Singapore. Chanel opened its café doors in Tokyo.

Now, Armani has opened its café in Mumbai’s buzzing hotspot for luxury brands—Jio World Plaza—located right beside the store. Last week, the Bazaar India team had the chance to immerse themselves in a true manifestation of luxury—Armani/Caffè itself.

As we step into the luxury café, the teal-blue interiors, warm lighting, and cosy ambiance quickly erase the fatigue of a long workday. Before you know it, you’re drawn in by the aroma of the finest wines and authentic pizzas, leaving you wanting more. 

Speaking of their menu, you'll discover Italian classics that are a hallmark of Armani/Caffè locations around the globe. We began the meal with their irresistibly soft focaccia breads that were bursting with flavours of tomatoes and herbs. We paired this, of course, with a delicious mocktail. And thus, began the shenanigans for the evening. 

Next, we savoured their soulful minestrone soup alongside an engaging conversation. What we didn’t know is that in Italy, the type of minestrone varies every few kilometres because the soup is traditionally made from leftover ingredients. Ours featured the essence of butternut squash, asparagus, green peas, courgette, and spinach. It was the perfect hearty bowl of warmth that would leave anyone craving more.

 

By now, we were only wondering how the rest of our courses would compare, and soon we had the Pappa al Pomodoro e Burrata—Tuscan-style thick tomato and bread soup with hand-stretched burrata—waiting for us. The burrata, made from buffalo milk, was accompanied by a buffalo milk whey sauce, which was the highlight of the dish.

Of course, we indulged in the classic Italian pizza, but what makes the pizzas at Armani/Caffè standout? It is the fact that the dough is coated with rice flour, which gives it a slightly crisp exterior and makes it lighter than other pizzas. It is baked on a stone heated to 350 degrees Celsius. We enjoyed the Pizza Parmigiana—a Margherita pizza topped with slow-cooked aubergine and a generous amount of aged Parmesan cheese. The tangy flavours and the crispy, yet soft crust were delightful, to say the least.

Now, leaving without sampling their pasta and dessert would have been like exiting from an Armani store with an empty bag—both seem rather incriminating to us. So, we tried the spaghetti ai tre pomodori—a pasta with a classic tomato sauce made from corbarino, datterini, and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s flavoured with freshly torn basil, adding an aroma that truly works its magic.

To round off the evening, we concluded with one of Armani's signature recipes—Tiramisù Chicco—a sophisticated twist on the classic dessert. This coffee bean-shaped tiramisù was served alongside fresh berries, which to our surprise, complemented each other perfectly. If you are a fan of Italian fare, this space certainly has a lot to offer.

In essence, the launch of this Armani/Caffè signifies more for India than we may initially realise. It heralds the beginning of an era where the world of fashion is set to expand beyond traditional boundaries, evolving into a full-fledged lifestyle experience. This move is not only likely to elevate the concept of luxury in India but also redefine how fashion and dining can merge, creating a more affluent and immersive experience. It’s safe to say, this is just the beginning. 
 

The Armani/Caffè will open to the public on 12th September 2024. 

For reservations, please call +91 70215 61490.


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