La Folie Lab — Mumbai, India
The smell of freshly baked bread is one of the most powerful aromas to the human nose. At La Folie Lab, a Mumbai-based patisserie, owner and chef Sanjana Patel has taken this concept to whole new level, delicately scenting the space with a bespoke fragrance via a distillation apparatus that diffuses an essence throughout. The idea is to make visitors hyper-aware of the food they are about to consume, and of the relationship scent plays in this experience. Such a detail is symbolic of Patel’s overall approach to La Folie Lab, where a decidedly experimental approach to baking has been applied. Designed to house a large open kitchen arranged in a format similar to that of a bar, seating is configured so that guests may observe the chefs in action as they produce a menu that includes freshly baked goods in the morning, light, savoury meals, and desserts and ice creams where components such as liquid nitrogen imbue dishes with a touch of theatrical drama.
Integral to the design of the space, which was conceived by local designer Rooshad Shroff in collaboration with Patel, is the incorporation of the ingredients used on the menu into the interiors. Vertical gardens that buttress both sides of the patisserie grow the fresh herbs and edible flowers used by the chefs inside, while guests are welcomed via a resin tiled façade that sandwiches ingredients such as Tahitian vanilla pods, candied oranges and rosemary. Inside, custom-made concrete herringbone tiles run through the floors to the walls, smoothly merging the all elements of the clean and modern black, white and grey palette. The result is a warm and inviting space that belies its moniker in the best way possible.
ADDRESS
Shop No.1
Libra Tower
70 Hill Road
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Tiffany & Co nods to its theatrical history with a surreal new campaign
Tiffany & Co campaign ‘With Love, Since 1837’ sees Dan Tobin Smith and set designer Rachel Thomas create an offbeat set
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Celine’s new fragrance Zou Zou is inspired by 1960s heroines
Celine debuts a new fragrance, Zou Zou, inspired by Hedi Slimane’s obsession with 1960s youth culture
By Hannah Tindle Published
-
Bar Spero, in Washington DC, nods to the playful nature of Spanish cuisine
Bar Spero is a Spanish seafood bar and grill designed by Streetsense and led by chef Johnny Spero
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Charlee in Mumbai is a speakeasy immersed in mystery
Charlee in Mumbai’s Bandra West encompasses a clandestine restaurant and bar designed by Kaviar Collaborative
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Telugu Medium Kitchen, in Southern India, is a labour of love
Designed by Sona Reddy Studio, Telugu Medium Kitchen dives deep into the Andhra heritage for food cooked with traditional richness
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico
By Chadner Navarro Published
-
Martim — Wroclaw, Poland
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Tattersalls Hotel — Armidale, Australia
By Dimity Noble Last updated
-
KLoé Hotel — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
By Jennifer Choo Last updated
-
Casa Hoyos — San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Littlenap — Hangzhou, China
By Daven Wu Last updated