Mr. Button becomes latest cocktail destination in Delhi

One can be forgiven for mistaking the newest cocktail bar in Greater Kailash 3 for a posh residence on an upmarket London street. The classy white walls and the warm lighting stand out amidst the bright lights and neon signs belonging to nightclubs in the vicinity. Walk past the thick velvet curtain and the soft ambient light from chandeliers, the plush armchair next to a fireplace, and framed photographs on the panelled walls, create an impression that you have entered a gentleman’s living room.

This is what Chaitanya Mathur, founder-CEO, Ninecamp Ventures, Sukriti Chopra, director, Food, and Beverage and their partner Sahil Marwaha set out to do with Mr Button. The cocktail and dining destination is inspired by the travels and adventures of Henry J Button, a fictional tailor at London’s Savile Row. The story of Mr Button, reveals Mathur, was conceptualised by him almost a decade ago. “I imagined him to be a tailor born in the 1800s, who travelled the world and tailored suits for important people in exchange for recipes and secrets,” he says. No wonder then, that among the souvenirs and knick-knacks, we spot a globe – a nod to his travels and even a sewing machine – a reminder of whose residence we are in. 

The intimate and cosy setting of the bar is enhanced with soulful music that goes from jazz to swing with new-age covers and at some point, we found ourselves tapping our feet to a jazz version of ‘Sweet Dreams are Made of This!’

 The cocktail programme envisioned by Todd Austin, head, Beverage at Ninecamp Ventures, and executed with precision by Sandeep Sreshtha, head mixologist, takes one on a journey with Mr Button from the 1920s to the 1950s. The rakish tailor not only clinked glasses with Churchill, he was once joined by the prince of Japan for a discussion on lacquer and painted skies, caught up with Maharaja Sawai Mansingh II on the polo grounds on another occasion and even had the opportunity to meet the stunning Audrey Hepburn. These imaginary meetings and adventures inspired Austin and Sreshtha to come up with cocktails that transport one to far corners of the world.

The menu arrives in the form of a ledger – he is a tailor, remember – but before that, we are served the welcome drink named The Ritual – think Mimosa but with mango. The aromatic drink set the stage for the evening, and we take a journey to the far East with Imperial Measure. The chilled to perfection tequila-based cocktail with shiso, apple, yuzu and lime is garnished with a white chocolate-coated olive and is crisp with a zesty aftertaste. Mr Button’s summer in Cuba in the 1940s brings us to High Stakes and Pineapple Express. The former – also Sreshtha’s personal favourite – is essentially a picante in a highball version with mezcal, bell pepper, spicy tincture and purple cabbage for a beautiful pinkish hue.

Although we do not fall in love with the latter immediately, once the creamy coconut foam is removed from the top of the glass on our request, the rum-based pineapple cocktail becomes an easy-to-sip, clarified version of a Piña Colada – ideal for those who like tropical drinks. The vodka-based Audrey Hepburn is savoury and dry, bringing in elements of a caprese salad and martini together.

A concise menu of globally-inspired dishes accompanies the drinks. The quintessential fish and chips is imagined here as Britain’s Best Fish ‘n’ Chips with the crisp fish served as finger cutlets instead of the traditional fillet. We aren’t great fans of the Moroccan Spiced Lamb – the lamb kibbeh being a tad hard and chewy, although the flavours are bang on. The Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizzette scores with its sweet and spicy notes, and we see it becoming a hot favourite among the bar bites. What we enjoy best are the Truffle Mushroom Croquettes that go oh-so-well with the cocktails – the crispy croquettes drizzled with Parmesan and chilli oil balanced with a smoky wild mushroom pâté.

An indulgent night in a setting such as Mr Button deserves a decadent ending, and we place an order for the Sticky Toffee Pudding. Throwing calorie-counting to the wind, we ask for the dessert to be accompanied by the Savile Row – toffee-infused vodka with espresso and chocolate. The smooth, bittersweet cocktail, perfect for a nightcap, and the sweet toffee pudding with salted caramel gelato is proof that opposites don’t attract – they intoxicate!

Mr. Button is at 27, Greater Kailash 3, New Delhi. A meal for two costs ₹4,000