In a city that ceases to stop moving, the idea of a ‘pause’ seems strange, almost like luxury. However, in the pulsing arteries of Mumbai now lies Scarlett House that offers just that – a pause. A comforting hug. And a much-needed sense of simply being. The kind of comfort that lets you sink into a plush velvet chair, the homely scent fills your senses, and you enjoy the delicious, comforting food.
So, when team unstumbled got the opportunity to talk to hospitality expert Dhaval Udeshi, mixologist Fay Baretto (who’s leading the Scarlett House cocktail program), and Bollywood icon Malaika Arora, we simply couldn’t say no. With an already booming space in Bandra, Scarlett House is set to open its doors in the quiet bylanes of Juhu, and we’ve got the inside scoop for you!
Team unstumbled Visits Scarlett House: Food & Drinks, Philosophy, And Our Verdict
The Idea Behind Scarlett House: A Shared Hunger For Meaning
Six individuals, six different spheres, but a common hunger. Not just for food, but for meaning. With each of them with a different lens, they shared the same desire – to create a space that feels deeply personal in the middle of a bustling city. A soft corner tucked away in Mumbai that feels like home, each time you visit.
Backed by Amit and Afsana Verma, hospitality expert Dhaval Udeshi, culinary, lifestyle, and Bollywood icon Malaika Arora, creative force Malaya Nagpal, and coffee-and-community voice Arhaan Khan, the space is a mix of all their creative energies. Energies that don’t create chaos when they strike, but energies that blend in and work in harmony.
Scarlett House isn’t just a restaurant. Nor is it a cafe or a bar. It exists in those beautiful somewhere-in-betweens. The kind of place where you could drop by at any time of the day and still feel comforted in the best way possible.
Designing A Mood, Not Just A Menu
In Bandra, the story begins with a 90-year-old Portuguese bungalow, now decorated with hues of a welcoming red. It’s adorned with vintage plates, antique finds, and warm lights that set the tone for a relaxing yet sophisticated dining experience.
Right over in Juhu, where the brand is about to open its second space in the city, it is breezier, in fact, right next to the sea. It is this coastal, almost-European charm that the space beautifully wraps itself into. The design language is all about embracing the sunlight, open spaces, and of course, “plenty of plants”, as Malaika quotes it.
The loose rhythm of the space makes you dance to its tunes, grab a cocktail or two, or make you head to the Hydration Bar – India’s first-ever such bar. Here is where you’ll find some of the most replenishing drinks, coolers, and tonics. Drinks that nourish the soul and refresh the mind (and even work on hangovers).
Malaika Arora On Nostalgia, Home, And Everything In Between
With her maternal side being true-blue Malayalis, Malaika Arora couldn’t help but reminisce about her childhood as we spoke of the food. For her, food is rooted in emotion and wrapped in nostalgia.
Take for example, the fragrant aroma of cooked rice as she grew up. Not just that, she’s grown up eating staples like sambar, fried fish, and different flavorful curries. It is this homely, comforting feeling that the fitness icon has really tried to push in the menu of Scarlett House.
Food, Familiarity, And Comfort
At Scarlett House, food arrives with care and drinks arrive with a blindfold (we’ll come back to it later). There’s something deeply comforting about the approach – its hygienic (something the trio unanimously agreed upon), clean, and rooted in memory. Think dishes like khichdi and Malabar prawn curry that take inspiration from Malaika’s own kitchen. Dishes dipped in nostalgia and served with a side of love.
In our conversation with the trio, they revealed to us some of their favorite foods on the menu.
While Malaika was prompt in answering with a ‘khichdi’, a dish that has been her comfort food since her earliest food memories, she also is fond of the paneer thecha, the loads of sandwiches, and the pasta varieties. Fay too, is obsessed with paneer thecha while Dhaval likes his wraps for dinner.
Speaking of the cocktail menu, Fay Baretto has outdone himself with an innovative, interactive menu that promises a sensorial experience. Here, “art is an emotion”. You have cocktails that arrive with blindfolds and puzzles and cocktails that make you test your artistic skills. Each one is a marriage of innovation, artistic expression, and of course – comfort.
As we spoke of cocktails, we asked Fay what’s that one cocktail that deserves more attention. After all, Picantes are ruling the internet, and even though they taste great, the internet AND cocktail bars are having too many picantes. “A Martini or maybe a Dirty Martini”, he promptly replies and Malaika nods in approval. He elaborates on how the Martini needs more attention, and honestly, we couldn’t agree more.
India’s First Hydration Bar At Scarlett House, Juhu
It’s not something you would miss out on, but the Hydration Bar in the Juhu space of Scarlett House stands there quietly. Not demanding your attention, but not a sight to miss either. As India’s first Hydration Bar, it’s everything but a gimmick. It’s a reflection of Malaika’s philosophy – of staying grounded and finding your balance, even in the drinks you consume.
Think of hydrating smoothies, probiotic drinks, and refreshing coolers that not only quench your thirst but also replenish your gut health. It’s a bar that doesn’t revolve around alcohol, but around balance. And if you’re wondering whether it’s still fun – rest assured. It’s the kind of new-age bar where you can drop by post-pilates for a new kind of ‘meet me for drinks’ session in Juhu.
Final Words: Should You Visit It?
Team unstumbled, along with getting an opportunity to talk to the faces behind Scarlett House, also got an opportunity to try out the amazing food and drinks here. Needless to say, the food and drinks were simply amazing. From the Malabar prawn curry to paneer thecha, each dish on the menu is fresh, delicious, and oozing with love.
The cocktails did not disappoint either – and what we loved the most was the entire experience curated along with each of the drinks. Who knew drinking would be so fun?
The ambiance is familiar, breezy, and just perfect to make you pause. Be it the sun-lit glasshouse or the 8-seater bar, each space in Scarlett House feels like that one cozy corner of your home where you can let loose. So, be it a morning brunch, an afternoon lunch, or an evening of cocktails galore, Scarlett House is definitely the place to be.
In a city that embraces the chaotic calm, Scarlett House’s two locations, Bandra and Juhu, feel like pockets of deep-rooted nostalgia. Here, each corner is an invitation, each dish is a love letter, and each drink is a cue to let loose and simply be.
