RISE OF REFINED COMFORT DINING

A new wave of eateries is blending top-tier ingredients, refined techniques and relaxed atmospheres to redefine the art of comfort food

- Rupali Dean

Imagine it as the Goldilocks of dining: neither the starched-collar stiffness of old-school fine dining nor the predictable cosiness of your corner diner, but that just-right sweet spot - a marriage of familiar flavours and thoughtful presentation. Today's diner craves the quality, technique, and ingredients of fine dining, but without the formality. This shift toward excellence with accessibility feels refreshingly modern. Case in point: Drift, upstairs at Nilaya Anthology in Mumbai. Designed by London's Russell Sage Studio, its interiors are modern yet inviting, much like its inventive menu. "We elevate local ingredients using classic French techniques," says head chef Sumit Sawardekar. Think avocado tartine dressed up with Maharashtrian thecha, or a tender gourd salad with just the right crunch, thanks to a salt-sugar marinade. No gimmicks, no shortcuts, just hone