Luxury mithai has been gaining momentum in the country in recent years – the goodies at the weddings of Isha Ambani & Anand Piramal and Shloka Mehta & Akash Ambani were trending as much as the nuptials themselves. And let’s not forget festive gifting. Taking this trend forward is Arq Mithai, the new kid on the artisanal Indian sweets block in the country.
Started by the Chef duo Neha Lakhani and Ashay Dhopatkar, Arq is a product of their love for Indian traditions and celebrating the age-old art of making mithai. “We had always wondered why an Indian sweets can’t be given the same finesse and importance as its French counterpart. Going forward, we want mithai to be just as relevant and admissible as its French counterparts like Belgian Chocolate or a classic French macaron,” they tell us. A Besan Truffle (besan laddoo with dark Belgian chocolate truffle filling), Caramel Pedha (Mathura ka peda with a dulce de leche centre), Malterine Marmalade (tangy malta and tangerine with gurmandi almond paste), and many more such fusion flavours is what you’ll find on the menu. The expertise of making mithai is interpersed with international flavours, creating a mélange of the craft of India with a taste of the West.
With a belief that true happiness comes from giving, Arq seeks to give back to nature as much as it takes from it. Ethically sourced produce, no artificial additives, only natural flavourings, and entirely recyclable boxes come together to form these boxes of happiness. The packaging can’t be missed, crafted with as much care as the mithai it encases – be prepared for a splash of colour and sparkle across various shapes and sizes. We’re loving the Tiara, a circular box of mithai which will sit as pretty on your Instagram as your coffee table. Their other set boxes include the Petit 4, Sparkler, Famille, Savoury Square, and Rectangle Fix. Along with the 20 different kinds of mithai, they also have 15 varieties of savoury bhaji. “While Arq products do fall under the category of ‘luxury’, but as chefs we sincerely wanted to go beyond mere luxury and add true artisanal craftsmanship into our mithai. We therefore believe that Arq Mithai weaves the artisanal truth and sense of the happiness, as it’s a work of pure artistry. We want people to taste & experience the history of India with every bite. We want every occasion to be celebrated with Arq.”
Both Lakhani and Dhopatkar have extensive experience between them. With her having graduated from Le Cordon Bleu and worked in pastry kitchens such as ITC Maurya Sheraton Delhi; and him having worked with the likes of Chef Gordon Ramsay; they bring immense expertise to Arq.
The new entrant seems to be crafted with much love and care in its entirety, and we’re looking forward to seeing it create its own space in the luxury mithai segment.
Arq Mithai is priced between Rs 600 and Rs 3,600 (taxes extra), and can be bought here.
All images: Courtesy Arq Mithai
An innate love for travel and food has translated into many a trips since childhood for Megha; it also fed her curiosity to know about local cultures. When not writing, she is on the lookout for three things: A great dark chocolate dessert, a beautiful pool where she can practice her backstroke, and art that she can save up for.
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