There are barely any fine-dining options in Delhi-NCR, where every night is a night of revelation. But in early October, we found ourselves drawn into something we didn’t see coming at a dining destination. Cabaret-style dancers took over a circular stage in Burlesque dressing. Their elaborate ruffle gowns, thigh-high slit dresses, bejewelled eye masks, and peacock feather capes paint a dreamscape reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s new album ‘Life Of A Showgirl.’
Slowly, the mood shifts. The soft, silken, mellow jazz fades into shock-value punk vocals. Artists from different countries performing slow lyrical dance become unrestrained with their moves. Cartwheels swish over staged bathtubs. Splits caught us unawares, and aerial acro presented a truly fork-dropping act! The air was filled with sensationalism. But not the kind that unsettles you. The kind that piques your curiosity for what’s next in this world of wonders!
Before we knew it, we were not just diners but part of the act at Dramique — India’s first theatrical culinary experience opened in Delhi’s The Grand hotel. It blurred the lines between a concept nightclub and luxury dine-in.
Conceptualised by Samir Sehgal, who has a background in luxury and design, the space borrows from the world-famous nightclubs such as Spain’s Cabaret-club Lío Ibiza and The Theatre Dubai which gain a top spot in luxury entertainment dinner shows. “Dramique is our ode to indulgence, where every night is a spectacle and every guest is part of the story,” says Sehgal as we enter to explore it through its interiors, theatrics, and global eats.
A Venetian dreamscape
Dramique unveils itself as a global cuisine destination, inspired by European and subtle Asian influences. Before we get on to food, its finesse was quite visible right from our entry, where a massive wooden doorway opens into a vestibule filled with a fine wine collection from Italy, France, Spain, Argentina, Australia, Germany, South Africa, USA, and New Zealand, captivating a wine connoisseur. It led us to a 150-seater space with another 80 seating situated on the terrace. The interiors were imagined as a Venetian mirage with fresco art projected on the walls, mirrored panels, European-style sculptures, and a broad, pillared colonnaded space leading to a stage in the centre.
Did we see a showgirl?
As we sank into the plush seats, performers who played part cabaret dancers, and part showgirl, glided in on high heels, placing a single white rose into each guest’s hand. The room fell into a hushed awe; food was forgotten for a moment, and phones lifted to capture the spectacle.
Beyond the theatrics, Dramique also made us ponder about the coloured history of cabaret dancers and showgirls that dates back to 19th-century Paris, when they used to perform singing, dancing and poetry at small clubs and later regaled the audiences at iconic entertainment venues, like Moulin Rouge in Paris. By 1900, their artistry reached from France to Germany, Barcelona, Moscow, and Zurich, before entering pop culture with their introduction to US nightclubs in the second half of the 20th century.
While initially, showgirl was used to describe women who behaved in a “showy” manner to draw attention, in its modern interpretation, showgirl is often seen as a symbol of a freewheeling spirit that refuses to be bent as per society norms. And the performing artistes at Dramique, while bartering the naked look for covered ensembles, truly embodied that liberating spirit in fishnet stockings, velvet gloves, feathered wings, and unmissable steamy moves.
Pan Asian-infused global cuisine
As the lights dimmed and the curtains fell, we finally got the chance to scour Dramique’s food menu. Its global Asian menu had a wide range of small plates including skewers, baos, fried chicken flatbreads, pizzas, burger sandwiches, bowls, and desserts. We opted for the best-selling Bang Bang Sushi Roll where crispy tempura asparagus was encased in the soft rice roll layered with spicy mayo and tanuki for a zesty kick.
On the side, the Chicken and Water Chestnut Dimsum had a mildly sweet and nutty indulgence; but, we’d give it a pass for its slightly dry texture. It was finally their Butternut Squash Pizza which became a must-have. Its roasted butternut, and caramelised onion gave it a slightly sweet and creamy texture, while Piston gave an aromatic lift. Topped with feta and cheddar cheese, it became a luscious highlight for us. We paired it with another must-recommend Aglio E Olio Spaetzel Pasta, which was broken to essentials with pasta cooked in extra virgin olive oil, and peppered with just chilli crisps in a classic rendition.
The New Zealand Lamb Chop followed with its tender and rich flavour that lingered in the mouth with an earthy aftertaste of seasoning and Rosemary juice. We finished off with the Saint Sebastian Cheesecake that was dripping with decadence of chocolate, poured over creamy custard-textured cake in a velvety Spanish treat.
As we bid adieu, Dramique left us with every reason to come back to indulge with intrigue in case we miss on the drama in life.
