Haute spot

One evening, fashion designer Nitin Bal Chauhan was chilling out on the terrace of his studio apartment in Malviya Nagar, Delhi...

Designer Nitin Bal Chauhan opens a grungy cafeacute; as a hotspot for arterati

One evening, fashion designer Nitin Bal Chauhan was chilling out on the terrace of his studio apartment in Malviya Nagar, Delhi, with friend and fellow NIFTian Darshan Dukkar and accessory designer Stuti. Over steaming cups of cappuccino, the trio discussed everything from fashion and films to blogs and music8212;till they came to the conclusion that it would be fun to have a space where people could drop in for a cuppa and good conversation. 8220;We wanted something similar to youth clubs abroad, and nothing like the cafeacute; chains that you see around,8221; says Chauhan.

His terrace has now been turned into a cafeacute; with grunge attitude and low seating, artsy quilts and guitars carelessly strewn around, and prints adorning the walls.

The quirky Chauhan wears several hats 8211; that of an artist, filmmaker and fashion designer but one never expected him to turn restaurateur. 8220;I8217;m just in charge of the bar. Darshan and Stuti are the whiz cooks, churning out Thai curries, barbecues and cappuccinos,8221; he laughs. The 40-cover Delhi cafeacute;, which the three refer to as

Cafeacute; Space, is quite basic. 8220;We wanted it to look like one of those cafeacute;s that you come across in places like McLeodganj or Marrakech 8212; nothing fancy or over-the-top, but comfortable and functional,8221; says Chauhan. But there are plans to spruce up the place with hookahs, cabanas and even small fireplaces.

The purpose, he says, is to turn it into a meeting spot for hobby clubs, bloggers and musicians. 8220;We want to focus on the underground scene in Delhi, be it in music, art, fashion or advertising,8217; says Chauhan

As of now, the three have decided to conduct a test run for the next seven-eight weeks. For that period, weekends will be a by-invitation-only affair.

Paromita Chakrabarti

Paromita Chakrabarti is Senior Associate Editor at the The Indian Express. She is a key member of the National Editorial and Opinion desk and writes on books and literature, gender discourse, workplace policies and contemporary socio-cultural trends. Professional Profile With a career spanning over 20 years, her work is characterized by a "deep culture" approach—examining how literature, gender, and social policy intersect with contemporary life. Specialization: Books and publishing, gender discourse (specifically workplace dynamics), and modern socio-cultural trends. Editorial Role: She curates the literary coverage for the paper, overseeing reviews, author profiles, and long-form features on global literary awards. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent writing highlights a blend of literary expertise and sharp social commentary: 1. Literary Coverage & Nobel/Booker Awards "2025 Nobel Prize in Literature | Hungarian master of apocalypse" (Oct 10, 2025): An in-depth analysis of László Krasznahorkai’s win, exploring his themes of despair and grace. "Everything you need to know about the Booker Prize 2025" (Nov 10, 2025): A comprehensive guide to the history and top contenders of the year. "Katie Kitamura's Audition turns life into a stage" (Nov 8, 2025): A review of the novel’s exploration of self-recognition and performance. 2. Gender & Workplace Policy "Karnataka’s menstrual leave policy: The problem isn’t periods. It’s that workplaces are built for men" (Oct 13, 2025): A viral opinion piece arguing that modern workplace patterns are calibrated to male biology, making women's rights feel like "concessions." "Best of Both Sides: For women’s cricket, it’s 1978, not 1983" (Nov 7, 2025): A piece on how the yardstick of men's cricket cannot accurately measure the revolution in the women's game. 3. Social Trends & Childhood Crisis "The kids are not alright: An unprecedented crisis is brewing in schools and homes" (Nov 23, 2025): Writing as the Opinions Editor, she analyzed how rising competition and digital overload are overwhelming children. 4. Author Interviews & Profiles "Fame is another kind of loneliness: Kiran Desai on her Booker-shortlisted novel" (Sept 23, 2025): An interview regarding The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. "Once you’ve had a rocky and unsafe childhood, you can’t trust safety: Arundhati Roy" (Aug 30, 2025): A profile on Roy’s recent reflections on personal and political violence. Signature Beats Gender Lens: She frequently critiques the "borrowed terms" on which women navigate pregnancy, menstruation, and caregiving in the corporate world. Book Reviews: Her reviews often draw parallels between literature and other media, such as comparing Richard Osman’s The Impossible Fortune to the series Only Murders in the Building (Oct 25, 2025). ... Read More