This new Franco-American restaurant is bringing jazz, flavour, and finesse to SoBo

“SoBo 20 is built on the premise of creative exchange,” notes Panchali Mahendra, CEO of Atelier House Hospitality, about the new Franco-American restaurant at the InterContinental in Mumbai. The creative exchange here hints at the unison of the two distinct flavours in Franco-American cuisine, which has always been a delicate balancing act. While one side leans into butter, precision, and centuries of tradition, the other favours boldness, comfort, and an unapologetic love for flavour. When done right, it’s less of a fusion and more of a conversation—easy, expressive, and unexpectedly elegant. 

And that’s precisely the kind of energy that Sobo 20 brings to Marine Drive. Named after the pin code of this iconic location, Sobo 20 is the latest venture from Atelier House Hospitality—the masterminds behind the celebrated Inja in Delhi—in collaboration with Graviss Hospitality. 

The space is equal parts polished and playful. Designed by Essajees Atelier, the interiors pull from a rich mix of visual cues: Art Deco lines that echo the city’s architectural past, vintage Americana touches that feel lifted from a New Orleans brasserie, and just enough coastal ease to remind you you’re still in Mumbai. There's a subtle nod to jazz echoing throughout with white brick and wood-panelled walls, leather booths, and marble-top tables. 

My favourite element in the restaurant has to be the burnished brass saxophone and trumpet sculpture on the wall at the back—a gleaming tribute to the city’s musical soul, emphasised by the soft ‘80s and ‘90s rock beats playing throughout. There’s an easy charm to the dining room. It can effortlessly switch from breezy lunches to moody, low-lit dinners without seeming phoney or staged. 

SoBo 20’s menu reads like a love letter to two vastly different yet oddly complementary food traditions. Executive Chef Sudeep Kashikar leans into the elegance of French technique while embracing the often-fiery flavours of Southern American cooking, specifically the Creole-Cajun canon. It’s a tightrope between finesse and comfort, but Kashikar has evidently crafted it to perfection. Take the B&P skewer, for instance—flame-kissed and glazed with a rich umami reduction—it’s layered with jalapeño mousse that adds just the right amount of heat. Or the fumé prawns, delicately smoked and served with a lush coconut velouté, with house-made crispy sourdough on the side.

The ingredients arehe execution is surprising familiar, but t—each dish is designed to spark conversation. Even the desserts get their own twists. The ginger brûlée beignets, fried to golden perfection, are served with a salty pop of caviar; it is equal parts indulgence and invention.

The beverage program seemingly continues this dialogue. The cocktail menu, crafted by Atelier House mixologist Supradeep Dey, evokes references to Paris and New Orleans, blending elegant café culture with the moodiness of a midnight jazz bar. Even the wine list leaves an impression, ranging from Bordeaux to Napa, offering something for both classic loyalists and adventurous sippers. 

At the end of the day, SoBo 20 is so much more than a great meal; it’s about how it all comes together. It’s thoughtful and easygoing, without being exaggerated or overdone. Whether you come for the food, the design, or simply for the mood, you'll leave with that rare feeling of having experienced something quietly memorable.

All images: PR Pundit

Als read: This new bar shows how Mumbai’s nightlife is embracing quiet luxury

Als read: Meet the women chefs bringing a quiet edge to global food culture