Rohit Ghai to launch solo Chelsea restaurant this autumn

Ghai, who also won a Michelin star during his time at Jamavar, will launch Kutir in November with co-founder Abhi Sangwan. Ghai and Sangwan have previously worked together to launch successful Indian sites Gymkhana and Bombay Bustle.  

Kutir will serve an authentic Indian menu inspired by the feasts that would have taken place on royal hunting expeditions in India.

Diners will have the choice of a six-course tasting menu or an a la carte offering, which will include the likes of truffle and mushroom khichadi; lobster bonda and rasam; 24 hour-cooked rogan josh; and tandoori stone bass with crispy squid. 

A regularly-changing cocktail menu will in include the likes of  the ‘Sariska’ made with sweet basil, ginger, bathtub gin, activated charcoal and lavender bitters; and the ‘Lodgic’ which will use jalapeño, watermelon, Alphonso mango, gold leaf, sugarcane juice and Sky vodka.

The restaurant will occupy the Chelsea townhouse that housed two of Vineet Bhatia’s restaurants (his eponymous flagship, and before that the Michelin-starred Rasoi) before his departure in October of last year.

“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,” says Ghai.

“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.

Ghai stepped down from his role as executive chef at Michelin-starred Jamavar earlier this year, and was replaced by its culinary director, Surender Mohan.

The chef has a wealth of experience in Indian cuisine, and has held executive chef roles at Bombay Bustle, Jamavar, Hoppers, Trishna, Copenhagen-based Verandah, and Benares over the past 10 years.