Masque
An oasis of fine dining and fine taste in Mumbai
Parsons-trained, Mumbai-based architect and designer Ashiesh Shah is a rapidly rising star in the Indian design community. His portfolio of Instagram-worthy design projects — mostly high-end residential with a few restaurants thrown in for good measure — has not gone unnoticed, earning the designer a long list of accolades and awards. Situated in a former warehouse in Mumbai’s once bustling textile districts is one of Shah’s more recent projects, Masque restaurant. Championing what executive chef Prateek Sadhu calls ‘wilderness-to-table’ fare, Masque aims to bring the magic of the Himalayas to the people via inspired, modern cuisine.
Visual references as to the ingredients origins have been mostly restricted to the table however, with only a subtle hint of the chef’s philosophy on display through the largely natural material palette. The clever play of textures, from raw to polished, is naturally illuminated by skylights that punctuate the ceiling overhead. A large site-specific sculptural installation by Kolkata-based artist Rathin Barman breaks up the expansive space that is as luxe as it is minimal, while also acting as a divider, creating a series of smaller, more intimate spaces.
The combination of food and decor make Masque an establishment that would not feel out of place in the most cosmopolitan of world capitals, adeptly putting Shah’s work on the world stage.
Text / Suzy Annetta
