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The first thing to strike us as we entered Mercii's 9000 square feet space, is the restaurant's artificial skylights. Much like the one at the famed Venetian in Las Vegas, this allows you to leave the city’s chaos outside the restaurant’s large doors. Designed and conceptualised by Creative Clinic Dubai the skylights transition from a bright, sunlit room during the day to a starry night sky in the evening. On our evening visit, we witnessed a starry nightscape with an interplay of light, colour, and motion, setting the tone for the rest of the night.
With Mercii, Arpita Khan Sharma makes her debut in the hospitality industry in collaboration with Ketul and Gaurav Parikh and Anuj and Vicky Chugh. Touted as a refined European dining destination, the kitchen at Mercii is helmed by chef Dennis Koll graduation from Culinary College, he began his work with Michelin-starred chef Johannes Wuhrer, where he learned traditional French cuisine.
The majority of his extensive experience in nouvelle cuisine came from Christian Jürgens' three Michelin-starred restaurant Überfahrt and he showcased his culinary skills in world-renowned establishments including the Burj Al Arab. When we asked him what brought him to India, he told us that he met Arpita on one of her travels and she happened to try his food.
Arpita’s family who have made a significant mark in the movie business have also been publicly acknowledged for their outstanding hospitality and their love for good food. "In our family, food has always been more than just a meal—it's an expression of love, celebration, and togetherness," says Arpita. "Along with my family's passion for food, my travels across Europe have shaped the spirit of Mercii. I've had the opportunity to explore various cultures, culinary traditions, and palates, and I've brought the best of those experiences to the Mercii table,” she explains. The name Mercii means "thank you" in French.
The Food
“We specialise in authentic Western cuisine with a global twist, utilising only the finest ingredients. I've seen a lot of Indianised European food around here, and we wanted to try something different. Every dish here will remain true to its origins while incorporating subtle influences from my travels. It's all about highlighting the natural flavours and telling a story with each bite," Chef Koll tells us.
The menu is extensive and features classics as well as modern dishes. At the top of our list was the earthy Mushroom Ceviche which disappeared from the table within minutes. Inspired by Chef Dennis's German background, the Farmer's Selection offers a range of marinated vegetables; the most popular one we are told is the White Asparagus Carpaccio with its delicate flavour. The raw bar is quite a treat for seafood lovers, starring the Hamachi Carpaccio with truffled ponzu and the Tuna Ceviche with edamame and pumpkin seeds.
Our favourites included the Avacado Taquitos and the Forest Mushroom Risotto with parmesan and chives. On the menu is also a Coco Lobster that reinterprets the Goan Xec Xec into a silky beurre blanc sauce matched with grilled coconut meat and daily fresh prime lobster. The desserts at Mercii deserve a special mention. With praline and Arabica coffee, the Hazelnut Tiramisu is a delicious take on the traditional favourite. The Cocoa Couture with ganache, cherry and chocolate and the Crunchy Chocolate Mousse shouldn’t be missed either.
The Drinks
Like the food menu, Mercii's cocktail program is also inspired by Europe. The Modern Classics include a Heet Mango Margarita with José Cuervo tequila, mango, and chaula spice, served in a glass rimmed with chamoy and garnished with mango leather. For those who enjoy bold flavours, the Greon Fairy Sour contains Dewar's whiskey, green apple, and sour mix, and is theatrically topped with flaming absinthe and nutmeg. Those with a sweet tooth like ours should try the Le Fruit Daiquiri. There’s also the La Familia Sangria, a take on the classic, made with Jacob's Creek red wine, poached pears, apricots, and toasty spices. The Smoky Terrain that combines Talisker whiskey, passion fruit, and orange creates a powerful, complex experience.
The Interiors
Apart from the skylight, the rest of the decor at Mercii also fits perfectly into Arpita’s philosophy where she thinks luxury feels warm and inviting, not just extravagant. Apart from the main dining area which is vibrant and lined with contemporary artworks, there are individual dining rooms that allow guests to relax while remaining part of the vibrancy of the main space. These VIP spaces can be leased separately and include their own bar setup. In today’s day and time when getting a moment with loved ones away from everyday madness is the highest form of luxury, coupled with good food and great drinks it can make for a memorable experience.
