What: Kutir
In a nutshell: Gymkhana chef goes solo in Chelsea
Summing it all up: The chef and GM who headed up London's top Indian restaurants including Gymkhana and Jamavar are opening their first solo venture in Chelsea. Expect this to be one of the biggest openings of the Autumn.
The low-down
We already thought London's Indian restaurant scene was bloody marvellous, but the news that Rohit Ghai is about to open his first solo venture has put us in a bit of a tizzy. Ghai, if you don't know, was the chef at Gymkhana and also Jamavar (for which he picked up a Michelin star). So yes you can say that his upcoming restaurant Kutir is going to be a hot ticket.
Ghai is opening Kutir with Abhi Sangwan - the pair have worked at Gymkhana, Jamavar and Bombay Bustle together - just off Sloane Square. They're taking on the old Vineet Bhatia site on Lincoln Street which closed a year ago, a week after Bhatia won a Michelin star there.
As for the food, the pair have drawn inspiration from the kind of dishes that would be served up at royal hunting expeditions in India - so think feasting-style with an emphasis on game and seafood.
There'll be a tasting, or ‘expedition’ menu of 6 courses for £60, as well as a full a la carte menu and to give us an idea of what exactly they'll be cooking, dish examples include:
- Truffle and Mushroom Khichadi
- Lobster Bonda and Rasam
- 24 hour slow-cooked Roganjosh
- Tandoori Stone Bass with Crispy Squid.
Running the show front of house Abhi has come up with a cocktail menu that sounds pretty special. We're going straight for the Lodgic which features jalapeño, watermelon, Alphonso mango, gold leaf, sugarcane juice and Sky vodka.
We'll leave the last word on the new opening to Ghai:
“I have loved each restaurant I’ve opened in London, but it feels even more special to open my own space and this is a passion-project for me. Kutir is inspired by mine and Abhi’s early careers, in luxury Indian heritage hotels within wildlife sanctuaries across India...I have been dreaming about serving this menu and have been refining these dishes for a long time and I can’t wait to introduce my guests to a menu that goes far beyond the usual Indian restaurant offering.”
More about Kutir
Where is it? 10 Lincoln St, London SW3 2TS
When does it open? November 2018
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @kutirchelsea
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