Ristorante By Dali, Delhi’s newest restaurant, is seductively beautiful, like a fleeting memory. When founder Prateek Gupta first visited the dilapidated 2,400-square-foot space, with a gutted double-height ceiling and exposed artilleries, in Greater Kailash II, he succumbed to his vision of turning this site into a delightful Tuscanesque memory, inspired by his travels to Italy. Prateek reflected, “The ramshackle structure made me visualize an old palazzo, which had its luminous days once.” A younger sibling to Meherchand Market's Café Dali, the fine dining establishment is not far from the vibe but is certainly one step ahead in design and aesthetics. The justice was brought by Art Livings by Rajiv Goyal, a bespoke design and architecture firm. Rajiv remarked, “The clients had a very definitive vision for their restaurant—a rarity. They wanted a classic [and classy] Italian escape, which was a great and simple design cue for us.” This brief turned a vivid memory into a pleasant reality.
Nonetheless, it is not easy to deal with a dreamy “hard-core Italophile”—Ristorante By Dali came with its own challenges. Rajiv tasked himself with reimagining Italy's “ornate, ostentatious decorative arts” into something a little more contemporary, a kind of Italian fervour that doesn't overwhelm customers. Luckily, the property came with high arched windows, a feature that spoke to the overall design language. It was gracefully draped with luxurious satin-backed tall velvet curtains. He also opted for patinated eggshell plaster for the backdrop, upon which an understated mood board was created. “Tea-stained white walls, antiquated wrought-iron candelabras, and whitewashed wood” further added to the subdued setting.
Also read: Inspired by his love for Krishna, a Pichwai artist turned a house into a vibrant homestay
Like many things in the ‘Cradle of the Rennaisance’, it's the small details that make the history and the narrative even richer. Here, too, elemental perfection lies in the personal things that stick. The colour scheme came from the owners' “art collection of European etchings and lithographs, and from a stark B&W photograph of soprano Maria Callas in an elaborate carved frame, normally reserved for framing mirrors.”
Contemporary elegance flirts with vintage Italy, embraced in antique partitions, architecturally low ceilings, curtains, and dim wax candle lighting to create an alluring ambience. The walls double as a canvas, featuring replicas of Pablo Picasso's art and The Persistence of Memory (1931) by Salvador Dalí. Rajiv shared, “We, as designers, are conscious of carbon footprints and decided to replicate the art within a region of 100 miles. Artisans from Moradabad, Agra, and Delhi painted highly stylised pieces to lend a gallery-style feeling to the restaurant.” Conscious design carved a balance. He added, “For Ristorante By Dali, most of the old partially charred wood was used as ceiling beams; ISMB sections exposed from earlier structures were antiquated by artisans to resemble the bone structure of old palazzos. Brick walls were either chiselled to resemble vintage walls or roughly plastered to resemble patinated walls.” The furniture is sourced from Living Spaces by Ashish Anand, and the porcelain lamps are from Lladró, a 70-year-old legacy brand from Valencia.
Also read: This new brewery in Goa's MOPA airport is designed like a traditional Goan home
While you wait for a seating, immerse yourself in a culture exchange through its well-preserved library, well-placed art installations, or even their selection of vinos. Speaking of which, Ristorante By Dali keeps its best secret hidden in a cellar in the basement. The cellar, constructed like a tavern with vaulted architecture and recycled bricks, can host up to 20 people in a private dining setting. A fever dream takes life at Delhi's newest restaurant. Rajiv and Prateek's brainchild takes you on a trip to Italy where all senses are tickled with a stimulating experience.