August 2024, Pune: When the richness of culinary flavours meets modern-day innovation, a beautiful dining experience takes shape. This is the essence of ‘Narrative’ a new luxurious restaurant in Pune’s Koregaon Park. Here, the art of cooking becomes a symphonious harmony, where time-honoured recipes get contemporary twists and create a narrative of flavours that honour the past and celebrate the future. For true food enthusiasts, it’s more than a meal; it’s a story of a destination unfolding with each bite and in every sip.  

Located in the vibrant vicinity, the lavish restaurant becomes a cultural hub where tradition and modernity coexist. Step into a magnificent structure designed to suit varied experiences and moods. There is an all-day cocktail bar which serves artfully concocted cocktails. Its premium enclave ‘The Living Room’ has top-class amenities like select single malts, mezcals and a collection of cigars, for intimate gatherings or prestigious meetings. A corporate lounge is perfect for team lunches or business meets. And an open rooftop space blends city lights with tiny stars, creating a visually striking backdrop for your dinner plans. The entire space is crafted to serve a range of clientele–from dynamic professionals to family and friends.  The menu takes you on an authentic journey through time, where specially sourced local ingredients are seasoned with a pinch of modern cooking techniques. Traditional recipes and familiar flavours are melded with novel techniques to create a spectacular dish. 

Each preparation explores uncharted flavours, you won’t easily find elsewhere. The menu aims to break the stereotype that traditional Indian food can’t be innovated. 

‘The Narrative’ Misal strong spices texture to the classic, Pahari Chausa Daal lentils cooked with rustic spices inspired by the hills, Prawns Rasam succlence of prawns absorb the warmth of rasam, Manipuri Black Rice Crisps homemade crisps paired with tangy mustard and smoked aloo bharta, Salmon Kokam Ceviche coastal delicacy of fresh salmon marinated with zesty kokam and Dindigul Thalapakatty Biryani Special aromatic biryani packed with flavours from Chennai are where the classics meet innovation and create enticing flavours that linger on your tastebuds. Unique additions from local domestic producers retain the gastronomical past while creating an exciting dining experience. 

The specially crafted cocktails offer another unique melange of cultures where local ingredients are thoughtfully paired with international beverages. An infusion of homemade sodas, bitters and clever brewing techniques like fat-washing, pickling and milk-washing bring forth a varied and vibrant drinks menu.  The Ghee Vodka Tonic combines Ghee wash vodka with Sparking Sake, an innovative dance of flavours. For a fragrant drink, sandalwood dream exudes the scent of sandalwood with Tequila and Bianco paired with jasmine and beetle soda. The Nutty Aristocrat is a harmony of nutty flavours from peanut butter and celery with whiskey and citrus. If you love bold and spicy flavours, try out the Smoky Naga Mezcal, a dashing combo of Naga chilli, honey, and coriander with mezcal. The entire cocktail menu is devised to induce a feeling and be a part of stories, the ones that you haven’t heard before

Talking about the passion behind Narrative, Mr. Narendra Thakur says,“We wanted to go beyond just dining. We wanted to create a place where people get to know the diverse local culinary stories of India. Each recipe carries a story and we want to celebrate these stories in a way that they get all the appreciation they deserve. Narrative is our vision to blend the heritage of local cuisine with innovation to showcase the depth of our culinary excellence.” The menu thus focuses on regional diversity where generational recipes come to your plate, adding the depth of rich flavours. 

When you step out of 'Narrative,' carry the memory of an extraordinary meal that bridges the old and the new. From the regional cuisines that celebrate India's diverse heritage to the artisanal cocktails, every element is designed to offer a sanctuary of flavours and a feast for the senses.