What: Ooty
In a nutshell: An Indian restaurant of three parts on Baker St
Summing it all up: Taking the space that once held Galvin Bistrot De Luxe is Ooty Indian restaurant. It comes in three parts - a fine dining restaurant led by the ex-head chef of Vineet Bhatia London, an underground cocktail bar and an all-day casual dining restaurant.
The low-down
If you've been wondering what might be moving into the old Galvin Bistro de Luxe site (which sadly closed last year), then wonder no more as Ooty is getting ready to open.
Ooty will be an Indian restaurant, with the main focus on the ingredients and cuisine of southern India. And they've brought in the big guns for the kitchen - In charge is Manmeet Singh Bali, who was head chef at the Rasoi and Vineet Bhatia London (VBL) - the latter which closed only one week after winning a Michelin star. He hasn't been resting on his laurels since then, though, as we hear he "has been particularly inspired by time spent in a traditional house kitchen where his love for south Indian cuisine was ignited."
Ooty is planned to be a venue of three parts - there's the main fine dining restaurant, then "Ooty Club" which is a colonial-style basement bar and "Ooty Station" which will have a more casual approach. Ooty Station will be opening closer to Summer - expect all-day "light snacks and hearty bowls" there.
Here's what's coming to the menu at the main restaurant:
- Tellicherry crab fry with zesty coconut crab relish & tomato chutney
- Goan chicken cafreal with cucumber rolls, baby corn shoots & tomato dust coral
- Keralan lime lobster with shellfish charu, squid ink idli & chutney spoon
- Andhra Natu Kodi Biryani - guinea fowl basmati rice, egg salan & cucumber yoghurt pachadi
- Fennel lamb shoulder, pinenut & pickled baby shallots
- Classic masala dosa with crushed new potato
And, of course, there will be plenty of vegetarian dishes, including "Almond & pea cake, crispy pepper asparagus, wasabi chutney & asparagus shavings" and "Fennel paneer; samphire pulao, hyderabadi tomato kut & chenna fritters"
On the drinks side, there's Ooty Club in the basement, with cocktails inspired by railway journeys through India. As for the look of the place - expect "a statement faux-foliage wall" in the main restaurant whereas Ooty Club will have the look of lodges of 18th Century India (expect a lot of dark panelling).
The restaurant comes from Pooja Nayak and Aseela Goenka and Goenka says:
We both have fond memories of the delicious, aromatic cuisine and fresh fish from childhood holidays to south India and, whilst we do enjoy curries, baltis and butter chicken, we wanted to focus on southern dishes to show that Indian food is so much more than this! Whether for an after work drink, quick bite or long lunch, Ooty will be the perfect place to try some traditional south indian cuisine.
Photo by Paul Winch Furness
More about Ooty
Where is it? 66 Baker St, Marylebone, London W1U 7DJ
When does it open? 14 February 2019
Soft launch details: 50% off food, 14-16 February. Book on reservations@ooty.co.uk.
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @ootylondon.
Interior pic: Paul Winch Furness
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