The Diva pops up in Mumbai

Wild Mushroom Risotto, Chef Ritu Dalmia, Delhi, Diva Restaurant, Mumbai, pop-up restaurants, Life & Style, Food

Wild Mushroom Risotto, a Crab and Avocado Salad, Grilled Rawas…sounds tempting? Guess who's cooking the stuff this coming weekend at a restaurant in Kala Ghoda? Chef Ritu Dalmia, owner of the award-winning Diva restaurant in Delhi, is descending in Mumbai next weekend to whip up some seriously sinful culinary delights. And only a few hundred lucky diners will get a chance to sample this awesome five-course menu. Oh, and the venue is unique too. House of Tales in Kala Ghoda is no restaurant but a large space open to hosting any event, be it an art show or, as in this case, double up as a restaurant with 40 covers!

Wild Mushroom Risotto

The guys to thank for this unique pop-up (it's becoming quite the phrase of the year already, no?) are Mangal Dalal and Nachiket Shetye, the two men behind Cellar Door Hospitality -- a year-old firm that started the Indian Restaurant Week, and currently specialises in bringing chefs with large egos together inside one kitchen to raise money for charity, hosting delicious pop ups and now, flying down the country's best chefs to different cities so that foodies across India can taste the best food that other cities have to offer. Now if that's not a cool idea, what is?

Ritu Dalmia, owner of the award-winning Diva restaurant in Delhi

So what's going to happen on January 17, 18 and 19 at the House of Tales? Cellar Door, in partnership with Amex is hosting a three-day (and night) pop up restaurant with Ritu Dalmia where the celebrated chef will cook some of the most popular dishes available at Diva.

"We are trained chefs ourselves and our aim is to bring a unique dining experience for Mumbai's foodies. After the success of the Restaurant Week and the chefs for charity For Cellar Door Kitchen we wanted to do something different. The Cellar Door Kitchen series will hopefully see foodies from across the country get a taste of the best of India. Who knows ,maybe it will be Indigo in Bangalore next," says Dalal when we catch up for a chat. The plan as of now is to host one such pop up every quarter in Mumbai, till enough money pours in for them to take this to other cities.

Dalmia is excited about treating Mumbai to a few meals. "The menu will comprise Diva classics. There will be a lot of seafood but a lot of veg items too. In fact there will be separate vegetarian and non-vegetarian five-course menus on all days. This is going to be so much fun," she tells us. It sure promises to be a lot of fun. And for those who love their weekend dinners and lunches to be truly luxurious, a dream come true!

What: A meal costs Rs 2,750 per person with three glasses of Jacob's Creek wine pairing and at Rs 2,000 per person without wine (excluding taxes). Reservations can be made on Cdhevents.com from Monday, January 13 onwards.
Where: House of Tales Gallery, 21 Dr VB Gandhi Marg, Kala Ghoda,
Note: Seats available for Friday 17th (lunch and dinner), Saturday 18th (lunch) and Sunday, January 19 (lunch)