From artistic scrolls to travelogues and history guides, the simple bill of fare has become a collectible diners are ready to fork out money for
Restaurants these days don’t just serve food, they curate a “vibe”. Think mood lighting, Instagrammable corners, or decor that transports you to Hawaii, Tuscany or whichever cuisine the eatery draws its inspiration from. But before we take that first bite, the menu card must pass the personality test. While some eateries still stick to laminated placemats and (often gravy-stained) paper sheets, a few imaginative restaurateurs are turning menus into narrative masterpieces.
South Delhi speakeasy Pass Code Only (PCO) commissioned a visual artist to design a new menu themed around all things ‘Forbidden’ last month to mark 12 years in business. It looks like an Indian miniature painting and comes folded like a scroll inside a posh cylindrical leather case. Each of the 12 signature cocktails on the menu has one ‘taboo’ ingredient, and rich stories woven around them.