In a bustling metropolitan like Mumbai, the diversity of culture defines the exhilarating pulse of the city, and food is an integral part of its soul. Naturally, restaurants with distinctive offerings here are amassed. Amidst a burgeoning wave of new dining spaces, there is one that is surely redefining the city’s culinary experience – Mercii, a luxury den that offers an indulgent menu, and an equally decadent ambience. We sat down for a candid tête-à-tête with the Group Culinary Director, Chef Dennis Koll, to decode the expansive globe-trotting menu of the new European fine-dining restaurant.
A Stroke of Culinary Brilliance
Subtle flavours and a big impact is exactly what you can expect from Chef Koll, who has worked at Michelin-starred kitchens all around the world, and is now bringing his expertise to the maximum city. A masterfully orchestrated menu ensures, “You come here for an experience, and leave with a memory,” expresses the Chef.
Although trained in French cuisine, the culinary maestro has skillfully adapted Indian flavours ever since becoming a part of Mercii. The restaurant opened its doors in December 2024, but Chef Koll made his way to India back in October, exploring and getting into the crevices of the city’s robust spices. However, the journey of catering to the local palate has been anything but a cakewalk – “The country has an extremely rich cuisine with a lot of bold flavours. While a part of this crowd is open to new tastes, there is the other part of the majority that is hesitant to test new waters. They are more comfortable with familiar ingredients and spices; here everything has to be spicy,” laughs the Chef.
After examining the markets and street foods of Bombay, Chef Koll has relentlessly worked with his team of experts to concoct a menu that exhibits an amalgamation of European flavours interpreted with an Indian twist. However, his French style of cooking shines through a slew of fusion dishes offered here. From the way the meat is sliced up to how sauces are whipped up, every step and recipe is very much a reflection of the “French way of living,” adds the Chef, but at the same time, traditionalism meets modernism here in this très chic diner.
A must-try from the seafood menu here is the Tuna Ceviche, served on a bowl of shaved ice,which is a “Rollercoaster of flavours,” as Chef Koll describes it. What makes the ceviche truly unique is the Carolina reaper dressing that sets the taste buds ablaze, almost like an unexpected surprise. The Farmer’s Selection is the Chef’s favourite, inspired by his German heritage. “The area where I am from, we love to pickle things in different ways. In fact, even the presentation of this dish is done in a way that makes the sauce look like the soil, and the vegetables are supposed to resemble a garden during spring. The correct way to eat it is to dig in with your spoon like a shovel, and try to get a bit of everything in one bite,” explains Chef Koll.
The Blue Cheese Gnocchi prepared with local Indian sweet potatoes, and King Crab Ravioli, with sautéed capers and butter sauce, are other absolute knockouts from the exceptional menu. The space also offers a delectable selection for cocktail connoisseurs, including the Tomatino, Heet Mango Margarita, Affaire De Coeur81, and more. However, other than just tantalising your taste buds, the menu serves a bigger purpose, as the group of visionaries behind Mercii aspire to take it “From Bombay to the world,” revealed the Chef. “In fact, we have a few cities in mind which are under the wraps.”
Architectural Allure
As soon as one opens the doors to the restaurant, Mercii’s interiors instantly work their charm, inviting the diners into a warm yet luxe ambience. Designed by the creative masterminds at Creative Clinic Dubai, Mercii features an LED ceiling that keeps changing – from sunbathed themes for brunch to a starry night sky for late hours – transforming the mood through the day. But what makes it even more special are the private seating areas decorated with lavish sofas, almost imitating an indoor cabana overlooking the entire area. But in case of more intimate soirées, Mercii also offers a private chamber, accommodating up to thirty guests.
Mercii marks Arpita Khan Sharma’s debut venture into the hospitality industry, in partnership with restaurateurs Ketul and Gaurav Parikh, and Anuj & Vicky Chugh. Located at a prime location, Mercii hides like an opulent haven at 81 Crest, Khar, promising a one-of-a-kind culinary journey into the world of European, French and fusion cuisines. “Great food and easy vibes,” is how Chef Koll describes this avant-garde dining destination. With chic interiors and global flavours, Mercii emerges as an ambitious restaurant that is redefining the culinary landscape in Mumbai.
