The ever-evolving cocktail culture in India has been gradually shifting from hurried highballs to thoughtful, experience-driven menus. With the launch of Latango, Delhi now has a new address that takes this evolution one step further—melding flavour, artistry, and storytelling into both food and drink.
Located in the capital’s increasingly eclectic dining landscape, Latango is the brainchild of Sahil Sambhi, the restaurateur behind iconic spaces like Japonico, Bawri, Berlin, Molecule, and Vietnom. The concept is distinctly European, both in spirit and execution, but with enough room for play—where a plate or a cocktail can as easily be a piece of conversation-starting art.
Liquid Letters from Europe: Cocktails with a Concept
One of the most compelling aspects of Latango is its imaginative bar programme—developed in collaboration with beverage consultants Tulleeho and executed by Italian mixologists Giovanni and Terry. Titled Liquid Letters from Europe, the cocktail menu is styled like a series of artistic exchanges—think of it as a spirited dialogue between artists across continents and centuries.
Visualise Andy Warhol writing to Takashi Murakami, or Caravaggio penning a letter to Raja Ravi Varma—each ‘letter’ inspiring a bespoke cocktail, capturing the essence of their creative energies through ingredients, presentation, and palate.
Among the drinks that made a strong impression that evening:
- Baroque Baby: My first drink of the night brought in the elegant depth of VSOP Cognac, blended with creamy coconut and cardamom. Rich and well-rounded, it set the tone for the layered narratives ahead.
- Cubist Negroni: A clever twist on the classic, this version featured tequila, Italian amaro, and Aperol. Campari wasn’t left out—it made a cameo as a playful lollipop resting atop the ice cube, a nod to the abstract balance the Cubists might have appreciated.
- Rococo Rhapsody: Perhaps the most poetic of the lot, this cocktail paired vodka with sparkling rosé, French vanilla, and a handcrafted Himalayan buransh (rhododendron) syrup from “Rosa Mystica”—a women-led brand from the hills. The result? A drink that was as much about texture and perfume as it was about taste.
- Pop Punch: Bright and cheeky, this fizzy highball mirrored the vivid colour palette of a Warhol print. Made with clean French vodka and zingy kaffir lime, it came served in a ribbed glass adorned with edible comic accents.
The underlying theme across these drinks wasn’t just mixology—it was imagination. Every cocktail appeared like a scene from a play, served with garnish, story, and flair.
The Culinary Canvas
Latango’s food menu, curated by Italian chefs Roberto Blondi and Giuseppe Stanchi, leans into the same spirit of diversity and detail. With credentials from fine establishments like Eleven Madison Park (New York) and Starita a Materdei (Naples), the chefs bring both technique and warmth to the table.
The menu spans tapas, dim sum, shokupan, pizza, pasta, and more—eclectic yet not scattered. Some standouts included:
- Octopus Salad: Tender slices of boiled octopus in a coriander-forward green sauce—light, clean, and surprisingly vibrant.
- Burrata & Truffle Shokupan: This one stole the show—bite-sized, creamy burrata and delicate white truffle shavings served on a crisped Japanese milk bread. An indulgent mashup that somehow made perfect sense.
- Grilled Pork Belly (Hot Tapas): Thinly sliced and skewered, the pork belly was succulent and smoky, melting on the tongue.
- Crispy Rice & Spicy Tuna: A reimagined nigiri where fried rice cake forms the base. Texturally exciting and well-balanced on the spice.
What’s clear is that Latango doesn’t limit itself to one genre—it borrows ideas and forms across borders, just as confidently as its cocktails do.
Space and Setting
I’ve always preferred dining in large, open spaces—and on that front, Latango delivers beautifully. The restaurant’s expansive layout and versatile seating cater to a variety of moods and occasions. I was especially drawn to the mezzanine level, designed for private dining, which offers a sweeping view of the entire space below. The stacked-glass bar stands out as a central feature—solid, striking, and well-suited to anchor the buzz of the room.
Final Sip
As India’s dining scene matures, places like Latango show us what the next chapter could look like: not louder, but more layered. It’s not just about what’s on the plate or in the glass—but the stories they tell, and how well they’re told. Whether you’re a cocktail lover, an art buff, or simply someone curious about new expressions in food and drink, Latango is worth a visit.
