Unplugged Courtyard (UC) started out as the first of its kind place in Connaught Place, New Delhi. One of the most cherished brand in Central Delhi, a venue for live bands, a place with a unique ambiance which makes it one of the most romantic restaurant. The journey of the brand started in 2015 when Bollywood King Khan Shahrukh Khan launched the property and within no time became the talk of the town. Delhi’s favorite brand is all set to enter Gurgaon. Mr. Dinesh Arora, founder, Unplugged Courtyard gave us an insight into the brand and its philosophy.
Tell us about your journey as a restaurateur?
It all started with an innovative bent of mind and love for food that I inherited. I grew up in New Delhi and studied commerce at Delhi University. I love traveling and I have built quite a refined palate of my own, if I may add. After my first bite of ‘Paella in Spain’, ‘Tom Yum in Thailand’, ‘Dim sums in Hong Kong’ and ‘Crème Brule in France’ and my visit to fine dining restaurants in London and Dubai, the bounty of the street food is where my passion stemmed from. The hard steel of ambition took time to enter my soul. But like many others, I entered in this business owing to my love of food.
It was in the year 2007, I decided to merge my regular business insights with a legacy in the hospitality industry. Since then, I have been trying to achieve new horizons. I like to dream big and constantly push the boundaries of what a restaurant can be. So far, I have managed to give the best in form of Lights Camera Action, Air Bar, the swanky Unplugged Courtyard, Bombay Bar, Tourist, and the all-vegetarian Swad and will try my best to give many more.
The journey of Unplugged Courtyard from Delhi to Gurgaon, how does it feel?
The journey itself has been an experience and the feeling is great. The expansion of the brand from Delhi to Gurgaon is the result of motivation we get from our happy clients. UC as a place is remarkably known for creating premium standards since inception serving great experience. Watching my customers enjoy and celebrate their special occasions with us is something I can savor forever. The opening of Unplugged Courtyard Gurgaon is in continuation of our long-standing, successful relationship with Unplugged Courtyard, Connaught Place. This property has been built with a great amount of thought and passion, giving personal attention to every detail. We believe the resulting product is indeed grand and we are confident that the Unplugged Courtyard will be the new address of fun and panache in the city.
What should people expect from Unplugged Courtyard Gurgaon?
Unplugged Courtyard will be the new fun with panache address of the city. UC, Gurgaon is a destination in itself, in a brand new avatar. A Goa right in the heart of Gurgaon’s upscale Udyog Vihar, Unplugged Courtyard is a walk through a cluster of balmy trees and travel into a completely different land. Nestled in a leafy serene lane, with a generous space of 15,000 sq.ft., the decor is balanced between chic and comfortable with clean lines and welcoming seating. With overcapacity of 375 covers, UC, is home to a terrace area, secret garden, and a quirky bus. Chef Akshay Bhardwaj shares his exceptional take on a modern-day comfort food combining ingredients that marry the chef’s progressive approach to the world cuisine.
Tell us about your signature food and cocktails.
Unplugged Courtyard is soon to open its doors for all in Gurgaon and we have made sure there is no reason for anyone to miss it. The menu at Gurgaon will be an interesting mix of a traditional traveler’s fare and new age cooking to create an enjoyable experience for all our patrons. At the Eclectic bar, you can expect tastefully designed cocktails which are nothing less than trendy, enticing and indulgent. Unplugged this time is not only bigger but bolder too. With a perfect setting and a positive atmosphere, our bar menu includes a variety of first-rare cocktails and premium spirits to choose from.
Coming to the food, our Chef Akshay Bhardwaj is all set to woo you with his exceptional culinary take on modern-day comfort food in combination of ingredients that marry the Chef’s progressive approach to World Cuisine. The menu is a mix of Indian and best of world cuisines with a unique UC twist for all. Each dish coming from the kitchen is exceptionally well and will surely pamper your taste buds.
What sets UC Gurgaon different from other brands in the market?
Allow Unplugged Courtyard Gurgaon to transport you into the climes of Goa right in the heart of Gurgaon’s precinct of UdyogVihar, without any parking blues. All that’s missing is the feel of the waves lashing your toes. Without controlling its skill to switch from a relaxed daytime hangout to a refined nightfall space, the environs mirror multi-faceted creativity. You can select the air you desire, as you make tête-à-têtes over a drink or pondering over the menu concentrating an interesting mix of traditional trtraveler’sare and new age cooking made from the finest ingredients and cultivated to create the most enjoyable taste, savour and smoothness.
What are the 5 words that describe Unplugged Courtyard Gurgaon?
Balmy outdoor, fairly chic, exhilarating, remarkably cosmopolitan and cheerful (smiles).
You have been offering new brands since you started? What is the vision behind your journey?
The vision has been to create the best, branded, pocket friendly and healthy eating restaurant company on the Indian soil. Recognition for providing great food, entertainment and fast, efficient friendly service has always been our vision. Creating a prosperous, strong restaurant company by providing unique, consistent and exciting dining experiences to all our clients in the form of restaurants, Pubs, cafes and events catering using multiple concepts has always been our mission.
What is your expansion plans?
Our overall expansion plans are to grow steadily, maintaining the quality and belief of our existing brands. We are surely looking at taking Unplugged Courtyard pan India including Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore to begin with.
Your success mantra.
The harder you work, the luckier you get. This is my main mantra for success. The harder I work, the better I feel. My customers are my power and backbone who have motivated me to become what I am today.
Any industry expert/colleague you look up to?
More than the individuals, I look up to different brands. Brands like Olive, Social, Indian Accent etc have created name and have been trendsetters in their own way. No matter which location you are visiting, you’ll always find a queue of people waiting for a table. I would like to create that palpable energy amongst people for my brands.
Which is your favourite brand among all your brands?
Asking a restaurateur to choose one from his brands is like asking a mother to name the favourite child of all. I love all my brands and treat them like my babies.
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