Tamarind Collection to re-launch Zaika restaurant as One Kensington
The Grade II-listed, former Michelin-starred restaurant will re-launch as One Kensington in March 2014, offering all-day dining with a long food bar and an elevated Champagne table.
It joins Tamarind’s already established sites in London - Tamarind of Mayfair and Imli in Soho.
At the time of acquiring Zaika back in February, the Tamarind’s chief executive Rajesh Suri said this latest addition to the portfolio marked a big step forward in the group’s expansion strategy, which also included rolling out its Indian street food restaurant, Imli Street.
“We see the huge potential in Zaika of Kensington and we are delighted to now count it as one of our own,” said Suri. “We believe in blending the finest traditional and innovative cuisine across a range of atmospheres in the very best setting for our customers.
"We are looking to redevelop Zaika as we have done with Imli Street. It was the first Indian restaurant to get a Michelin star in the UK and we would like it to win it back. Tamarind has managed to retain its Michelin star (first gained in 2001) and we believe we can use our expertise to get one also for Zaika.”
Distinctive design
One Kensington will consist of a 63-cover restaurant, a counter bar with space for 36 and the raised Champagne table which will seat an additional 21 customers. It will be open to local and destination clientele, offering breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner with an average price per head of £60 for dinner.
B3 Designers have been brought in to put ‘their own distinctive mark’ on the interiors, making full use of original architectural features such as the high carved vaulted ceilings, expansive wood panelling and double-height windows giving views over Kensington Palace Gardens.
Zaika restaurant, which One Kensington will replace, was opened by Claudio Pulze in 1999 and gained a Michelin star under chef Vineet Bhatia a year later.
