Third outlet of the iconic brand after ITC Grand Chola and ITC Royal Bengal
ITC Hotels has opened the third dining establishment of its ground breaking and pioneering brand in reinvented Southern Indian cuisine ‘Avartana’ at ITC Maratha, Mumbai. Already a huge success at ITC Grand Chola in the south, and ITC Royal Bengal in the east, the legacy of this signature culinary restaurant now takes the stage at ITC Maratha in the west. Shining brightly at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023, the iconic Avartana now enters the realm of Mumbai’s culinary horizon.
Anil Chadha, Chief Executive, ITC Hotels, says, “We are delighted to open the 3rd Avartana at ITC Maratha, Mumbai. Just seven years young, Brand Avartana has carved a niche for itself, demonstrating the strength and prowess of Indian ingredients and culinary techniques to the world. We endeavour to share the reimagined renditions of Avartana with diners across various cities, crafting moments that resonate long after the dining experience. At Avartana, magical flavours meet twenty-first century global technology reinventing haute cuisine fine dining into an evolved art.”
ITC Hotels’ culinary expertise is an ode to the diversity of flavours and a commitment to delivering unmatched gastronomic experiences, setting the standards for cuisine excellence. A jewel in its crown, Avartana, stands as a distinguished icon, striking a harmonious balance between tradition and innovation exemplifying a one of a kind culinary experience showcasing Southern Indian culinary mosaics.
The well-researched traditional and progressive renditions of peninsular southern Indian cuisine is rooted to the gravitas of diverse aromas that seamlessly marry local ingredients with modern interpretations, celebrating an exciting confluence of colours and taste.
Pronounced ‘Avartan’, this Sanskrit word refers to rhythm, mysticism and magic. Much like the restaurant’s name, the dishes are an expression of magical art, with each one featuring unique concepts in modernist iterations and progressive renditions while firmly being rooted to the traditional flavours and ingredients of the subcontinental India.
Our celebrated Chefs choose the choicest of fresh ingredients and seasonal produce, to craft inventive recipes that blend flavours from across the Southern Indian Peninsula with techniques from across the globe.
Food – the Familiar and the Modernist
The Avartana experience is inspired by authentic flavours rooted in the peninsular India
Local spices, delicate broths, infused oils, fresh coconut, aromatic curry leaves contribute to the essence of our cooking. Timeless flavors come together in magical medleys of delectable taste and uber-stylish presentations, at prices to suit every indulgence. Choose from Maya, Bela, Anika, Tara and Jiia for a palate-pleasing and aesthetically heightened experience. An alluring selection of mocktails and cocktails infused with Indian spices in fresh flavours and unique tastes can be agreeably paired with your selection of menu. A meticulous introduction to myriad flavours offers the distinct tastes of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana while revolutionizing the way they are infused into its line-ups.
What follows extends beyond the quintessential a la carte dining, Avartana – true to its name – offers five carefully crafted guided dining experiences redefining and reinventing its cuisine.
Diners are spoilt for choice with the seven-course Maya in its glorious mysticism, nine-course Bela that demonstrates the beauty of masterful works of art, eleven-course chef’s curation Jiaa promises to warm your very soul- Chefs Inspiration, thirteen-course Anika exquisitely curated with grace, and thirteen-course Tara offering iconic presentations from the coast.
With Tara predominantly offering seafood, the other menus showcase a star-studded cast of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights and the choice of customizations to include dietary restrictions and preferences.
Avartana surpasses gastronomic paradigms in a testament to the marriage of tradition and innovation. Its kitchens delve into the regions of Kerala with its treasured Ghee; the discerned Uthukuli Butter and Mango Ginger sourced from Andhra Pradesh; Sago and Jaggery from Chennai; Mochai Beans from Tamil Nadu; Tamarind from Telangana and more, deconstructed into captivating delicacies that leave your senses heightened and mind entranced.
Its brigade of chefs takes the diner through guided-dining experiences traversing across a series of small bites such as the Spiced Aubergine and Sago presented in a resplendent galaxy of flavours highlighted by a Byadagi chilli emulsion wrapped in a roasted eggplant sheet, the Sago Yogurt in a reinterpretation of the classic Bagala Bath featuring an exotic dried berry tamarind sauce, the Fennel Pannacotta egg dessert served in a bird’s nest and a mini hammer to crack it open with.
Design and Décor
Luxury dining at any ITC signature restaurant is always a vision to behold, and Avartana is high in the style quotient. The auspicious and multi-purpose banana leaf, especially symbolic of the great South is a recurrent theme of the design and décor of this signature restaurant. The warmth and hospitality of the South manifests itself in the mellow, light colour scheme, light-colored wood, silver-hued fabric upholstery, accentuated with objects d’art in tons of copper and amber. The furniture is a delightful and harmonious blend of modern and contemporary, offset by glorious Indian vintage touches of brass.
The dining experience at Avartana extends to the crockery and cutlery as well. Rustic earthenware in earthy shades, bamboo holders, complement ornate steel cutlery and contemporary glassware. Avartana also features a Private Dining Room which can accommodate 10 guests with a choice of a bespoke meal, making it an enhanced experience in exclusivity and sophistication. The chandelier here is a beautiful rendition of the design of the cove of a quintessential house boat from the backwaters of Kerala.
Avartana is a luxurious, redefined culinary experience; where this edible canvas of illusion is featured in surprising avatars that form the core philosophy of this signature experience- a magical alternative representation of Southern culinary mosaics.