Chef Manuel Olveira Drops A Hot Pin On The Culinary Map Of Bkc With The Opening Of La Panthera   

The culinary landscape of Mumbai is about to witness another gastronomic sensation as the acclaimed Spanish Chef Manuel Olveira and his Indian wife Mickee Tuljapurkar launch their latest venture, a 100 seater vintage chic Modern European Restaurant – La Panthera. 

Following the resounding success of their award-winning restaurant, La Loca Maria, the duo is gearing up to redefine dining experiences in the bustling Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). This marks the dynamic duo's second culinary venture in Bandra, with La Loca Maria having become a cult favourite with locals and celebrities alike within a year of its inception. 

The restaurant's intriguing name, La Panthera, was carefully chosen to evoke majestic qualities associated with big cats - power, strength and elegance. A fitting embodiment for a restaurant nestled in the vibrant arts and financial district of BKC. 

La Panthera isn't bound by labels like Spanish, French, Italian, or Greek. It's a one-of-a-kind blend, stitching together culinary memories from Europe, almost sparking a sense of longing.

“Our menu embraces timeless European classics while playfully dancing with contemporary culinary techniques. Our ethos has always been simple, refined cooking where we let the ingredients shine. Elegant plating is the signature touch and exceptional taste reigns supreme” 

Manuel Olveira, Owner & Chef - La Panthera. 

Chef Manuel Olveira starts off the menu with naturally fresh, light and flavourful cold tapas such as Stracciatella (poached pear, Kalamata olives, basil, crystal toast), Tiradito de Hamachi (pineapple Leche de Tigre, cucumber, coriander oil), Steak Tartar (capers, onion & truffle oil on a crispy potato garnished with parmesan cheese) and the signature La Panthera Carpaccio (thinly sliced BFF on a crispy filo pastry, Arugula, tarragon mayo and parmesan cheese). 

The flavour profile builds up with hot tapas, where guests can indulge in the Scamorza Arancini (served with Arrabiata sauce and leaves salad), Baked Brie (topped with caramelized onions, mushrooms, balsamic reduction and truffle oil, serve with sourdough toast), Charred Octopus (pea puree, potatoes and paprika), Braised Pork (on a sourdough pancake topped with scallions, crispy onions, chili oil) and Lobster roll (herbs, celery, garlic butter, warm brioche bun). 

Guests can look forward to enjoying some incredible wood-fired Naples style pizza where the dough has been fermented for 48 hours imparting its unique taste and texture. Indulge in classics like the Margherita and Pepperoni pizza or try the signature pizzas such as La Panthera (tomato sauce, burrata, Nduja pork sausage, basil) or Frutti di Mare (tomato sauce, mozzarella, prawns, calamari and hot sauce). 

The menu for the main course offers an array of home made pastas, risotto and other comforting mains where one can taste the authenticity of the ingredients and richness of flavours. The menu features popular cravings such as Cacio e Pepe (spaghetti, pecorino Romano, black peppercorns), Linguine a la Vongole (clams, calamari, prawns, champagne sauce, fresh herbs) and New Zealand Lamb Chops (brussel sprouts, cauliflower puree, stew peppers, jus), Grilled Tenderloin Steak (creamy potato, chimichurri, jus) & Grilled Sea Bass (pok choi, shitake, charred leeks, horseradish edamame) all expertly prepared to perfection. 

Determined to make one leave La Panthera with a unforgettable memory, Chef Manuel has created desserts from scratch like the new deconstructed La Panthera Tiramisu (mascarpone, coffee ice cream, coffee crisps), Hazelnut Profiterole (hazelnut mousse, vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate sauce) & Basque Cheesecake (served with a blueberry sorbet). 

"When our guests experience La Panthera, we want their souls to be more than satisfied. We are hoping that the fine showcase of diverse European flavours will ensure that guests won’t have trouble finding a new favourite each time they step into La Panthera,"

Mickee Tuljapurkar, Owner La Panthera. 

La Panthera opened doors on Monday, February 19, 2024. 

Address: Unit 1 & 2, INS Tower, G Block, BKC, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051 

For Reservations Call: 8000 9090 56 / 8000 9090 58 

THE BAR EXPERIENCE 

The bar program led by Dwayne D’mello is focussed on crafting every element of our drinks program in house and from scratch, imparting our own unique flavours. We've prioritized a curated menu of 14 signature cocktails over an extensive selection as each drink offers meticulously crafted flavours that truly hit the mark. The Panthera team recommends The Raison D’Être (mezcal, sherry reduction, aromatic bitters), The Wildlings (watermelon infused gin, jalepeno infused bitter bianco, extra-dry vermouth), Hurry Up Slowly (Pisco, apple liqueur, rosemary nectar, citrus) for a super fun cocktail experience. 

THE INTERIORS 

“Our interior design vision for La Panthera was to capture that soulful longing for old-world European charm and we were inspired by the ambience of a chic living room in an European manor. We created an unique aesthetic that feels both timeless and on-trend and where every detail has been thoughtfully considered.” Mickee Tuljapurkar, Owner, La Panthera An ornate black entrance door makes an immediate statement. The interiors emanate “pizzaz” with a coffered ceiling, low-hanging brass chandeliers, bespoke furnishings in warm greens and yellows evoke old-world charm with contemporary elegance. The focal points include a captivating 15-foot artwork titled "The Beast Within '' and a 21-foot marble and wood bar, inviting guests to relax and soak in La Panthera's ambiance over signature cocktails. Graceful arches, textured walls, and velvet curtains add artistic nuances, complete the restaurant's vintage chic captivating design.

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