LA PANTHERA
MORE WINE, PLEASE!
MORE WINE, PLEASE!
LA PANTHERA, MUMBAI
From Features Desk
It was a friend who first whispered the name
La Panthera to me and I must admit, nothing
could have prepared me for the sheer charm
that awaited. Stepping through its grand
black doors felt like being transported to a
chic European manor. The coffered ceilings,
low-hanging brass chandeliers, velvet
curtains, and that striking 15-foot artwork
titled ‘The Beast Within’ all came together in
a setting that was as dramatic as it was
inviting.
What struck me most was the freedom of
experience. No rules, no pressure, no stiff
wine etiquette, just pure joy. I found myself
saying, more wine please, and it felt like the
most natural thing in the world. Every sip,
every bite, every corner of the space seemed
to whisper stories from travels across Europe.
It was not Spanish, or French, or Italian alone.
It was a patchwork of all, stitched with
memories and plated with elegance.
The food was a revelation. From playful tapas
to wood-fired pizzas and pastas that carried
both comfort and refinement, each dish
reflected a philosophy of letting the
ingredients shine. Desserts like the Basque
Cheesecake and La Panthera Tiramisu left me
speechless. Beyond the food, the bar itself
deserves a mention. It is a creative space
where cocktails are crafted from scratch using
fresh, local ingredients, turning every glass
into an experience of its own with almost zero
wastage.
Overwhelmed by my experience, I could not
help but ask about the mind behind it all.
That is when I learnt about Chef Manuel
Olveira, the Spanish chef known for his
refined European sensibility. He, along with
his wife Mickee Tuljapurkar, dreamt up this
space after years of travelling through
Europe. His journey of bringing those
flavours and memories home to Mumbai is as
heartfelt as the food he serves.
La Panthera is not just a restaurant. It is a
reminder that dining can be soulful, stylish
and completely unpretentious. And yes, I will
happily say it again, more wine please!