Pali Bhavan – Dining that once was! by Tejal Mathur

  • 5 Feb '13
  • 7:44 am by Crew
Lower level seating

Pali Bhavan, an Indian fusion restaurant designed by Tejal Mathur. Having designed Pali Village Café for the same owners, Mishali Sanghani & Suren Joshi, the stage was set. As Tejal Mathur likes to call it, A Nobleman Home was born. With the charm of a traditional Indian home transcending in this space. Reminiscing back to days when the doors to the house would be open to everyone. A feast for every guest.

Walls adorned with antiquated photographs

You enter to a lovely mix of colors, small square tiles. A blend of green, black and white. Solid tones forming the canvas for the space. The wicker backed chairs change shape along the way. An antique polish combined with a textured paint. The walls blend with the furniture detailing. Antiques sourced from across the country adorn the walls. You can see every Indians must have photograph of goddess Laxmiji. Decaying photographs from the 40’s and 50’s. Mixed with interesting plates. The wooden deer head being the most eye catching. Making a lovely picture.
If you are looking for antiques a good place to start is Chor Bazaar on Mutton Street as well as the bazaar at Oshiwara. If your from New Delhi, on my last visit I found a charming store in Hauz Khas Village called Country Collection. All complete havens for amazing finds!

A Deer Head hangs against one wall

Large portraits hang above the staircase at that precarious angle. Seems so long ago now since I have seen those. Using design elements from cultures all over the country  The lights on the tables go back to a Mughal era. The chandeliers used in the picture below are my favourite. The white adds the needed brightness to the whole space. What was rather interesting was how a simple construction material like Iron sheets forms the ceiling.  It gets me to think of other materials we overlook because of their unconventional nature? Any ideas?

Stairs to the upper level
Upper Level with antique table lights 

*Design Pataki in conversation with Tejal Mathur

Photos courtesy Team Design