L’Opéra, the French Pâtisserie, Boulangerie and Salon de Thé (Tea Room), which is known for bringing the bakery and pastry flavours of France to India launched its sixth Salon de Thé and the first-ever outlet across two floors at Basant Lok, Delhi.
The event was inaugurated by H.E. Emmanuel Lenain, the Ambassador of France to India on Saturday. The launch witnessed over 100 guests including Ambassadors, personalities from the world of business to arts and fashion.
Located in the heart of Basant Lok (Priya Market) and situated close to various embassies in Vasant Vihar, it is an authentic French style Salon de Thé spread over two floors that can accommodate up to 42 seated guests. The mezzanine floor comprises comfortable seating arrangements featuring leather-like sofas, bar chairs and tables that lend an elegant touch to the space.
Fitted with Louis XVI style furniture in carved wood and marble top tables adorning carnations in pastels, the outlet exudes Parisian refinement. From the beautiful chandelier to the framed portraits on the wall depicting the city of Paris, everything adds to the plush décor and ambience. The glass mirrors make the space look virtually bigger while the woodwork accentuates the walls. Meanwhile the stunning pendant lights over the counter make the space even brighter and livelier.
Kazem Samandari, Executive Chairman, L’Opéra said, “L’Opéra is becoming bigger and even more beautiful with each outlet. It is overwhelming to enter the Basant Lok Market with a two-floored outlet. We will also have our outlet in Civil Lines and our first-ever outlets in Mumbai and Chennai coming up very soon.”
He further added that by the end of the current financial year, L’Opera shall operate over 20 outlets in Delhi-NCR.
At the event there were various ambassadors and eminent personalities of the town including the Ambassador of The Czech Republic, H.E. Milan Hovorka, the Ambassador of Greece, H.E. Dionussios Kyvetos, the Ambassador of Chile H.E. Mr. Juan Angulo, Ambassador of Columbia H.E. Mr Alvaro Sandoval Bernal, Deputy Chief of Mission, South Africa Mr. Ben Joubert.
"From doing our initial product trials in the kitchen of the French Embassy to opening over a dozen outlets and a production facility in Noida, we have always worked towards making the brand one of the best French bakery and pastry chains in India”, says Laurent Samandari, Managing Director, L’Opéra. “There are so many achievements we had along the way such as making eight thousand macarons for a wedding, catering for the international Formula one race, hosting the MBA students from Oxford University at our production facility which keep us all motivated,” he added.
At L’Opéra’s Basant Lok outlet, one can enjoy the aroma of the freshly baked croissants, artisanal breads and a whole range of traditional French specialities wafting through the air. The menu caters to a diverse range of food palate. For those looking for classic French quick bites, there’s Croque Monsieur (made with in-house bread and filled with béchamel sauce, ham and cheese), Vol-au-Vent, Onion and Tomato Tarts with Goat Cheese and healthy soups such as Pumpkin and Coconut Milk soup. Partake in the newly-launched products such as the brand’s maiden Vegan Range, Chocolate Tart and the much loved Orange and Almond Tart that one can pair with an impressive selection of juices and freshly brewed coffee, teas and infusions while soaking in the beautiful ambience.
La’Opera also offers a gourmet breakfast menu that features classic French breakfast options such as French Toast with organic honey, fluffy French omelette with luxurious fillings and hot croissant sandwiches to name a few. For the health-conscious, there is a range of fresh juices, cereal breads, eggs and salads, organic granola served with yoghurt and choice of milk and heart-warming vegan soups that are wholesome and make for a delicious substitute. With this, the brand hopes to reach out to a wide customer base.
Entering the new phase of growth and development, L'Opéra, the Delhi-based finest award-winning brand added L'Opéra's Salon de Thé at Max Towers, Noida to its list of outlets situated at some of the most premium addresses in Delhi-NCR.
From using the French Embassy kitchen back in 2010 to operating a 12,000 sq. ft production facility in Noida that runs 24x7, L'Opéra has travelled a long way that spans a decade to become the foremost Pâtisserie, Boulangerie and Salon de Thé (Tea Room) in the country.
Back in 2011, when the Samandaris inaugurated L'Opéra's first retail outlet at Khan Market, which is currently under renovation to get a fresh new look, the family members knew that they were in for a long haul. "In today's day and age, when the planning horizon is much shorter and commitment less pronounced, we decided to go with a systematic approach while conceiving, planning and executing the 10-year business plan," says Kazem Samandari, Executive Chairman, L'Opéra.
Within the next two years, L'Opéra went on to launch five more outlets including India's first Salon de Thé, a concept that augments the authentic French experience further with ample seating space and impeccable attention to detail at Epicuria - Nehru Place, thus, setting a new trend in the Indian market for high-end culinary products.
"The customers are now looking to have an elaborate menu," says Laurent Samandari, Managing Director. "With an increase in demand, L'Opéra has also got bigger where our patrons can enjoy our delicacies in a larger and more elaborate environment," he adds.
By mid-2017, L'Opéra upped its game and rolled out yet another outlet. This time around at PVR Director's Cut, Ambience Mall to capture the attention of frequent movie-goers. The outlet features fittings and furniture brought in from overseas, including antique furniture markets in France and an exclusive setting that recreated the most refined café atmosphere in Paris.
The year 2018 witnessed two more new outlets including Bikaner House and Green Park. This year, L'Opéra started on a high note yet again and launched few more outlets including the ones in Defence Colony, GKII and Max Towers (the largest outlet of the brand spread over 1,500 sq. ft).
"Bikaner House is one of our stunning properties in the heart of Delhi," says Kazem. "It is located in the Bikaner House, a majestic mansion built for Indian royalty and we have added gilt mirrors and chandeliers to the outlet so that the setting is as splendid as our offerings."
L'Opera, recently, launched its biggest outlet at Max Towers, Noida that was formally inaugurated by H.E. Alexandre Ziegler, the French Ambassador to India. The event also marked the brand's 15th retail outlet in Delhi-NCR and 16th in total.
Located on the ground floor of newly-launched Max Towers - an excellent corporate office tower in sector 16B, near DND Flyover, Noida - it's an authentic French style Salon de Thé spread over 1500 sq ft. that accommodates up to 52 guests to enjoy the very best of the concept.
"With an increase in demand, L'Opéra has got bigger with a new set up called Salon de Thé," says Laurent Samandari, Managing Director, L'Opéra. "With ample seating for a traditional French breakfast and other meals, as well as an array of other products for a quick bite, one can soak in an authentic French experience."
"L'Opéra at Max Towers will no doubt become a landmark and reference for the modern offices and residences coming up in Noida," says Executive Chairman, Kazem Samandari. "It sets an absolutely new standard for a true Parisian experience in a beautiful and inspiring setting," he adds. Fitted with Louis XVI style furniture in wood and marble top tables adorning white and pastel carnations, the outlet embodies Parisian refinement and luxury at its finest. Another highlight is the seven unique brass figurative sculptures by South African artist RuhanJanse Van Vuuren. Installed by Max Towers, the installations add an element of fun and playfulness to space.
Enter the outlet and one is greeted by the signature aroma of the freshly-baked croissants, artisanal bread and a whole range of delectable French specialities wafting through the air. From the classic French quick bites such as Croque Monsieur (made with in-house bread and filled with béchamel sauce, ham and cheese), Vol au Vent, Onion and Tomato Tarts with goat cheese to Pumpkin and Coconut milk soup, signature pastries and macarons, the eclectic menu caters to a diverse range of food palate that is reasonably priced with an excellent value proposition. Also, on offer is an array of refreshing summer drinks and an impressive selection of juices and freshly brewed coffee, teas and infusions that one can leisurely sip on while soaking in the sunlight that streams in through large bay windows.
An all-day dining destination, it also offers a gourmet all-day breakfast menu that features classic French breakfast options such as Brioche French toast with organic honey, fluffy French omelette with luxurious fillings and hot croissant sandwiches to name a few. For the health-conscious, there is a range of fresh juices, granola, cereal bread, eggs and salads, organic granola served with yoghurt and choice of milk and heart-warming vegan soups that are wholesome and make for a delicious substitute. With this, the brand hopes to reach out to a wide customer base.
"We hope to attract a variety of customers ranging from office-goers for early morning breakfast and business meetings to the large population residing in the vicinity and expect close to 180-200 transactions per day," puts forth VaibhavAvasthi, CEO, L'Opéra.
With the popularity growing by the day, L'Opéra is in the process of expanding its presence in Delhi-NCR and Pan-India. The company plans to operate over 50 outlets in the next five years.
Originally from Saint Cloud, Paris Chef Alexis Gielbaum enrolled into culinary school after completing his graduation. With a vision of presenting French cuisine to a global audience, Chef Gielbaum has lived and worked in countries like Italy, Japan and India. He has mastered the kitchen across small bistros, large brasseries and five star hotels. Of which one of his most exciting stints was being a chef on The Orient Express. He thinks French cuisine is all about keeping the original tastes rather than taking away from the essence of the actual ingredients of a dish.
After a brief stay and professional assignment in India 2015, Chef Alexis Gielbaum decided to stay and make India his new home and soon moved to Mumbai to dabble in fresh local ingredients and bring the best French dishes to the fore. He recently opened Slink & Bardot in Mumbai in partnership with chef Nick Harrison and Riyaaz Amlani. Excerpts from the interview:
How Slink and Bardot happened?
I have always wanted to have my own restaurant. I have worked in this industry for more than 17 years and the idea has always been in my head. Even back in Paris, I have twice tried to open a bistro. Then, I met Nick Harrison in Delhi. When I arrived in India in 2014, he was the floor manager of the restaurant ‘Le bistro du Parc’, I was the head chef. We quickly became friends and realised the potential of French cuisine in India. And, decided to try our luck in Mumbai.
Tell us something about your journey.
I arrived in this country with absolutely no idea what India was. I have always loved to travel. I have worked in Tokyo for a year, in Venice in the Orient Express for another one and travelled to many countries. So, when I hear the opportunity to come to a new country to be a head chef at a cosy French bistro, I have accepted straight away.
What’s the story behind naming it Slink and Bardot?
If you have come to our restaurant you see that we have two very different ambiences. One is the lounge/bar with a beautiful décor; the other is the restaurant part, soberer. Slink is from Slinking in, entering a place without being seen. This represents the restaurant part and also the restaurant location, a little bit out of the roads, discreet. Bardot is after Brigit Bardot, the famous French actress/singer/model from the 70’s. It represents the bar, more vibrant and colourful.
What are the design elements that popped up in your mind while setting up your venture?
We had the chance to work with Pavitra Rajaram who was in charge of the interior. She is a brilliant artist with a lot of taste and she helped us create a unique atmosphere for Slink and Bardot.
How do you see the trend of f&b industry changing with time?
With the entire restaurant scenario popping in all over the country, I can tell that the F&B industry in India has a great future. The restaurants are getting better and better in term of quality and professionalism, demanding better products that will open a better market for suppliers who care about their productions and better ingredients will result in an even better restaurant, demanding even better quality, etc. This is an endless circle of improvement that will make India at the same level that any country in the world.
The menu looks as if it has a variety of things to offer. Tell us something about it.
I always try to keep my menu small but every single dish has to have a very unique flavour profile. The concept of our restaurant is to serve small plates that allow our customers to make their way through the menu and try a little bit of everything. This is, I think a good way to allow customers to discover French cuisine.
What is your take on the rise of so many theme restaurants in the current time?
I think that’s a great thing. People have more and more exposure to authentic cuisine from all over the world; educate their palate for a better appreciation for good quality ingredients and techniques.
What are the various kinds of challenges you face while being in this industry?
Variety of the products. Especially in India, it is very difficult to source products that are “out of the box”. At Slink and Bardot, we have rhubarb, sunchocks, celeriacs, parsnips, turnips, artichokes, black current tomatoes etc. And we are always looking for more to improve our menu and make it special.
What are the expansion plans?
No plan so far. Slink and Bardot is almost a year old and we still have a lot of work to improve it to make sure that our customers are happy.
What is your take on the presence of French cuisines in India and how are they different or similar to the Indian cuisines?
French cuisine has unfortunately a reputation of being expensive, fancy and protocol. Here we try to break all of those concepts. And that is the similarity we want with Indian restaurant. People here like to share and have a warm ambience. We are doing French cuisine, but yet all our small plates are placed in the middle of the table, we play cosy jazz music and always make sure that our staff are friendly and professional.
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