Cardboard, a cafe in Mumbai, opened its doors in Bandra Kurla Complex. And the design of the food as well as the space work in sinuous harmony. The quaint cafe is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of its busy neighborhood. Cardboard transports you to a place of peace on arrival. The cooling comfort of the earthy tones make you settle in almost immediately. There is a wide variation of seating arrangements, privacy and nooks and corners. This allows you to pick what works best for your mood. A solo reading session, some remote work, a quiet coffee date or perhaps loud banter at the open communal table.
Along the lines
The curvy, sculptural forms manufactured using CNC technique bring the quiet, unassuming material to renewed life. You almost immediately want to run your fingers along every layer of the beautiful cardboard installation. Architect Nuru Karim of NUDES has designed Cardboard, the cafe in Mumbai. Cardboard has been used horizontally, vertically, along its edge, facing, curved, linear and angled. A special surface coating makes it non-staining, waterproof and easy to clean.
Connections
The menu design reflects the monochromatic layers and rhythmic, therapeutic patterns in the space. Freshly pressed juices are listed in order of their density – from thin to thick, just as the layers of Cardboard unfold through the space. There are plenty of vegan options and a large selection of coffees made with two kinds of beans – Pandrimalai and Velakarai. They are sourced from plantations in South India and are freshly roasted especially for Cardboard.
Create. Consume. Change.
The design and food team has done this exceptionally. Málaga-born head chef Yung Dhanani couples his love for Spanish flavors with subtle South Indian influences to create piquant, never before seen bites. This includes Hard Core, a spiced pulled pork sitting pretty on a jalebi, a crisp fried Indian sweet soaked in sugar syrup. The sweet, crisp jalebi works wonders with the sticky, spicy pork.
Feed
Swingin’ is a perfect salad for the hot Mumbai summer. Packed with kiwi, orange, vibrant greens and reds, the creamy, pungent goats cheese contrasts against the crunch of mustard seeds and crushed south Indian poppadum. What a Goof! is an old-fashioned apple cake with walnut and curry leaf glaze. I looked for the nutty, aromatic curry leaves in every morsel of my cake. We need more spaces like cardboard. Honest, recyclable, biodegradable and memorable.
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