Art is one of the most superior pleasures of life. Food, apart from being essential to our survival, also offers lasting pleasure. When these two great pleasures combine, you can be certain that you have a successful recipe at hand. This is certainly the case for beloved French bakery L’Opéra’s new concept eateries known as the Art Cafés. Having recently opened a new outlet at the Gallery on MG Mall in Sultanpur, New Delhi, after witnessing immediate success with it at the Bikaner House outlet in Delhi, L’Opéra’s Art Cafés have become the talk of the town. Kazem Samandari, co-founder and executive chairman of L’Opéra, joins Sunday Guardian for an exclusive chat about art, food, expansion and more.
Excerpts
Q. What was the initial concept behind your Art Café?
Traditionally, all French cafés, and to an extent the Salon the Thés (Tea Rooms) have always been associated with the concepts of culture, art and beauty. The most famous examples of these include Les Deux Magots at Paris’ Saint-Germain-des-Prés which since its inception has been the favourite hangout of famous artists and writers such as Guillaume Apollinaire, Louis Aragon, André Gide, Jean Giraudoux, Fernand Léger, Jacques Prévert, Ernest Hemingway, and more. In the environs of this Café / Salon de Thé, many literary and artistic movements were conceived and nurtured, such as André Breton’s surrealism and Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir’s ideas of existentialism. As L’Opéra has always been the pioneer and symbol of quintessential and accessible authentic French culinary experiences in India, we found it appropriate to add the artistic and cultural dimension to this unique, immersive experience through our Art Cafés.
Q. Why did you want to introduce this concept to Delhi-NCR at this point in time?
There were several reasons for that. L’Opéra has always been an innovative and dynamic brand which seeks to continuously explore new avenues. Historically, we started with the Boulangerie-Pâtisserie (Bakery and Pastry) format, with our iconic Khan Market outlet which was replicated many times. At a later stage we introduced the very French, Salon de Thé (Tea Room) concept which provided ample sitting space and which also served traditional French light meals in a delightful atmosphere.
The idea of the Art Café germinated during the 2020 India Art Fair where L’Opéra recreated a French Salon de Thé inside the exhibition halls, which enchanted all the visitors. This is where we used the term “Art Café” for the first time. We would have liked to expand this concept then but the pandemic affected all of us.
As we embarked upon our post-Covid growth trajectory with the opening of several new outlets, we also witnessed the growing interest for all forms of art in India. Hence, we felt it was the right time to adopt this concept and introduce it wherever possible.
Q. Art and coffee go hand-in-hand but how does the L’Opéra experience elevate this connection?
L’Opéra has long been recognized as the epitome of French culinary excellence in India. With each L’Opéra outlet, we have strived to transport our cherished guests and patrons to the heart of Paris through an environment that exudes refinement and offers an array of exquisite products. Our newest Art Cafés introduce an exciting, artistic dimension to our established concept. Original, reasonably priced artworks take centre stage, meticulously curated by the talented art expert, Dr. Vladimir Zeitsev. These pieces are not only available for admiration but can also be purchased, allowing patrons to take home a piece of art that resonates with them.
Q. Is there scope for using the space creatively in the future?
L’Opéra is committed to creating a cultural and culinary hub in the heart of Delhi-NCR. In keeping with this mandate, L’Opéra plans to organise musical and literary events at its Art Cafés in the near future, further enriching the cultural landscape of the city.
These events will provide a platform for artists, writers, and musicians to showcase their talent, fostering a vibrant and creative atmosphere through the Art Cafés. These will include art exhibitions and fruitful conversations with artists and curators, live music performances, book readings, intellectual exchanges and discussions, and more.
Q. Is expansion on the cards?
The new L’Opéra Art Cafés on MG Road and on Club Road in Punjabi Bagh promise to be an exquisite blend of French culinary artistry, a cultural haven, and a retreat for art aficionados. Whether one seeks a delightful pastry or the opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of art, the new locations offer a unique and immersive experience that reflects the best of both worlds. And we hope to take this concept to our other outlets as well.
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.