The multi-award-winning restaurant Masti has finally reopened its doors in the heart of Dubai.
As a stellar experience of modernity and tradition, the menu curated by Chef Prashant Chipkar represents new India in different culinary forms.
With a 360-experience offering of food, drinks, hospitality and interiors, the dishes are an imaginative reinterpretation of authentic Indian ingredients seen in a new light.
To embark on an eclectic journey of flavours, this restaurant uses an unapologetic aesthetic approach with a multi-layered interpretation. From dishes such as Tandoori Chicken Bao to Watermelon Bhakri, visitors are spoiled for choice with a myriad of culinary offerings crafted to perfection.
As the haven starts a new chapter, Emirates Man spoke to Chef Prashant Chipkar to see how the restaurant has established a name for itself in the UAE.
Talk us through your career
I come from a family of non-hoteliers. However, my aunt, who owned a hotel, taught me the basics of cooking at a very young age, and that’s when I decided to pursue a career as a chef. I completed my hotel management degree at Arun Muchhala catering college in Mumbai and started working for the Taj group as a Kitchen Management Trainee. After six years and being promoted to Sous Chef, I joined renowned Chef Gaggan Anand at Gaggan’s in Bangkok. The restaurant was voted No.1 in Asia’s 50 Best and ranked 13 in the World’s 50 Best as the Chef de Cuisine. I also got an opportunity to work at the Mandarin Oriental (Geneva) and joined Rasoi restaurant as the Executive Chef, which achieved a Michelin star and Gault & Millau – 16 points. After that, I got an opportunity to work with my current company, Blackspoon, and launched Bombay Bungalow and Masti, both of which have won numerous awards for their food and unique concepts. Both restaurants have made it to the UAE Michelin Guide 2022.
Chef Prashant Chipkar
The menu at Masti is an expression of ‘new India’ – tell us more?
The menu at Masti represents the “New India,” which is modern, edgy, full of flavor, and yet has a traditional element to every dish. Over the last few decades, India has been flourishing in all aspects, whether it’s the economy, arts, or crafts, and we want to do the same thing with its food. We celebrate India on every plate.
How does it feel to open in a new location at Dubai Edition? How does the restaurant complement the look and feel of the hotel?
The Edition is an exclusive brand by the Marriott group, and typically, every major city has only one Edition, making it very exclusive. The design of the hotel is modern, chic, and tasteful, with everything in the hotel being luxurious. It fits the design ethos of Masti, but with more color. Our design is vibrant, colorful, and artisanal, and the space instantly makes you feel warm. I believe anyone with a keen eye for design would truly appreciate the entire space.
How does the restaurant offer a new experience from its previous location at La Mer?
Masti Edition carries the soul of the old location, as many design elements were reused in the new setting to complement the layout. The menu still celebrates modern Indian cuisine, but with a lot of new dishes added to the lineup, including irreplaceable favorites such as Avocado Panipuri and Buratta Butter Chicken.
Masti offers a unique culinary journey. What can visitors expect during their meal?
We have retained some of our old favorites, which were popular at La Mer, and added a lot of new dishes to the menu, such as the Spiced Nalli – a bone marrow dish finished tableside with traditional Ghee roast sauce and fried uthappams. Another addition is the Chungdi Malai prawn curry, a beautiful traditional Bengali prawn curry. In the new menu, expect a lot of dishes that are finished tableside, making them more interactive and personal.
The Indian-inspired sharing plates take cues and influence from a variety of global flavors – talk us through the creative process.
I have been fortunate to travel extensively across the country over the years and learn techniques used in various states. Moreover, I had the privilege of working in Switzerland and Thailand, which exposed me to distinct cuisines and techniques. Nowadays, I strive to utilize a variety of techniques from diverse cultures to elevate a dish from its traditional form. The concept is to transform a traditional dish completely or partially to retain its traditional taste but appears entirely different.
As a highly accomplished chef, what sets your cooking style apart?
I think our goal has been to offer something completely unique in Dubai. Achieving this requires extensive research, experimentation, and a fusion of Indian and non-Indian flavors. Combining these flavors in unexpected ways sets my cooking apart.
What according to you is the hero dish at Masti?
Beef cheek vindaloo is a complex dish that requires many different elements to come together well. The cheeks are sous-vide for hours to attain that soft texture, and the vindaloo sauce, which contains vinegar, must be very well balanced to ensure it is both rich and acidic.
What piece of advice would you give to those wishing to follow your cooking journey?
Love what you do and read a lot. Perfect different techniques, as they all bring different results to the end dish, and don’t be afraid to fail.
How would you describe the UAE’s F&B scene?
The F&B scene in the UAE has never been better and is poised to become even better with prestigious awards like Michelin and Gault & Millau launching last year. This shows that the culinary scene in the city is strong and will continue to improve. I see the UAE as a complete culinary destination, offering everything from traditional cuisine to modern versions, and catering to every budget.
What’s in the pipeline for the restaurant?
For the next few months, our team’s focus will be on consistency and innovation. As a new establishment, we aim to provide our guests with the best culinary experience possible.
Located at The Dubai Edition, it’s open on Saturday and Sunday 12:30pm to 2am, Sunday from 12:30pm to 1am and Monday to Thursday 5pm to 1am. To make a booking visit mastidubai.com
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