Ambika Seth's Little Black Book—The CAARA Co-Founder Tells Us Everything

"As much as I love European food, I am a die-hard fan of good old channa bhatura, and I think that's like classic to Delhi. So I would probably take them to Kwality's in CP, I think the area and the restaurant itself have so much history, and it has fantastic food, so that would definitely be it!"

"I frequent spots that fit my schedule, (basically either I'm at my head office, or I rotate and go to the restaurant). So I would say, I love what's happening in Malcha Marg, it's a super nice neighbourhood. There's a lovely yoga studio and wonderful restaurants, so it is definitely a fun hangout. Also, the Dhan Mill Complex is a lovely space because it has so many new stores opening here. And then the classic old favourite, Khan Market, as it is also close to home for me, and it has got everything, and has been there for so long!"

"The food scene in this country is changing, and I am so impressed with what is coming up, and all the amazing restaurants and chefs that are coming up in the country. If I had to really pinpoint an inspiration, my last experience would be it for me, which is Americano in Bombay, which just blew my mind! I would say if anyone's visiting the city, it is a fantastic restaurant. It's a great inspiration for me in terms of how diverse the menu is and how delicious every single thing is."

"Okay, so I have a couple. I have been a huge fan of Nicobar; I love their branding, I love their products. For food, I also love Nourish Organics. I eat their cookies, their granola, super healthy and wonderful. For skincare, I flock to Kama and spend lots of money at Kama because I love their products! Also, there's a lovely tea brand called Number 3 Clive Road. I think they do some of the best teas, with beautiful packaging and branding.

And there's one more! I'm really into Instagram shopping and I know that there are lots of times that I order and the stuff comes and it's just not what you see online, but there's this one brand, Nouria, they have lovely silhouettes, wonderful clothes, and you get what you order.

Also, I am a mom to two beautiful dogs, and I love Heads Up For Tails. Not just for the snacks, but also for their grooming services. I recently used it for one of my dogs and they just came back so lovely and fluffy and smell so wonderful."

"I think cafes are becoming a little bit more casual and approachable in terms of aesthetic and spaces. It's not so much fine dining. I also think in terms of the menu offering, it's not like just Asian or just Indian, but brands are experimenting with a more diverse menu, which is great for people who want to try different things. And places are also catering to allergies and for intolerances, which is pretty huge now. I think incorporating that in the menus is not so much as something extra special that you're doing, it's something that you have to do now."

"The first person (sic) that comes to mind is the wonderful Krishi Cress. They have been around for so long. We get our micro-greens, our veggies, and also our kombucha from them. We also work with a lovely brand called True Leaf that does wonderful micro-greens and vegetables, salad leaves. I also love a brand in Bombay called The Spotted Cow. We get a lot of cheese from them. I remember meeting them when they first started and they have done so fabulously. So it's nice to be able to support these wonderful brands and use them in our menu."

"Two come to mind; one is Jamie Oliver. I love him. I love his style, I love his recipes, and it's just never too old. And both in terms of the books and his TV shows. And then I would say recipe book-wise, I have every Ottolenghi recipe book. I love him. I have to say that my business partner, Alice, introduced me to Ottolenghi for the first time, and he has been a huge inspiration also for the menu planning for CAARA."

"I was seeing so many advertisements for this Masterclass series, and recently signed up. And I love it because when I have some free time, whenever that is, I love to just choose any industry to know more about. So it's not just food, but you can learn about business, you can learn about lifestyle, about fashion, you can learn about interiors, about architecture, so it's like so many different things that you can learn via leaders in that industry. So I'm totally hooked on Masterclass."

"I use a lot of Le Creuset in my kitchen when I cook (I love to cook). I'm also a big fan of crockery from Marimekko. I know Marimekko, quintessentially, you may not think that it's like a crockery brand, but you must look it up. They do fantastic plates and bowls and coffee cups."

"I think when it comes to restaurant recommendations around the world, I definitely look for more local places to go to, and more neighbourhood cafes and not necessarily go after names, but if you had to sort of explore and do something as a one-time experience, I would say in Paris there is a beautiful restaurant, a Michelin Star called Le Grand Véfour. There is also an absolutely wonderful place in Marrakech called Le Grand Café de la Poste. It takes you back in time, and the food is fantastic."

"So I would say Geneva because it's my second home. It's where I grew up, and I love to go back. I love to go skiing up in the mountains. We also go to Sri Lanka once a year. It is close, it is wonderful, the beaches are fantastic, the food is great, and the hospitality is so good. And also, Paris, just because it's Paris."

"I recently travelled to this lovely village called Karaikudi and we stayed at a boutique hotel — The Bangala, as it was recommended by friends and we had such a wonderful time. It's a tiny little space, but it has details about the most beautiful culture of Chettinad and Chettinad mansions. So that would be a place that I would love to go back to again. "

"Slurrp Farm has saved my life when it comes to food. I would also say Almirah, it's the sweetest little shop in Meharchand Market. My kids grew up in so many of their clothes and their pillows."

While we relished getting to know what's in Ambika Seth's Little Black Book, we decided that the party shouldn't stop there; hence CAARA along with LBB is hosting a fun event — Best Of Italy where the chef will teach us how to make tiramisu and focaccia, so register now!

When: 2nd August, 2025, 12 Noon - 1 PM

Where: CAARA at Ogaan, Dhan Mill Compound

Entry: INR 699