Michelin-Star Chef Atul Kochhar to Open Northeastern Restaurant in London
Michelin-Star Chef Atul Kochhar to Open Northeastern Restaurant in London

British-Indian chef Atul Kochhar is opening a restaurant in London celebrating cuisines from the Northeast India.

Named after the second-century Kushan dynasty king ‘ Kanishka’ is aiming to introduce diners to lesser-known regions of Indian food, showcasing cuisine from the country's more remote territories and borders.

"Kanishka is a very exciting project for us. It's a great opportunity to continue to showcase Indian flavours alongside quality British produce, but also introduce London's diners to the unique flavours of territories previously unexplored by Indian cuisine in the UK," said Kochhar who was the first Indian chef to receive the prestigious Michelin star.

The restaurant is set for a mid-march opening that will explore the flavours, ingredients and cooking methods of the Northeast states, as well as the influences on these by neighbouring countries such as Nepal, China, and Bangladesh.

Kanishka will be a 127-seater restaurant, with a bar, a terrace at the front, and an intimate, 12-cover garden room downstairs.

The restaurant will use seasonal and locally-sourced British produce, with a wide variety of menu serving signature starters like Kachela Maas – a Sikkim inspired venison tartare with mustard oil mayonnaise, naan crouton and onions, with mains such as Samundri Khazana Alleppey – a dish of pan seared seafood, Alleppey sauce and smoked cabbage poriyal. Desserts will also showcase unique Indian flavours with the likes of a Chocolate Rasmalai, a milk-based dessert popular in eastern India and neighbouring countries.

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Expert mixologists at the bar will create signature cocktails such as "Roast Banana Old Fashioned", made from Tandoor-roasted banana with cinnamon, orange and pecan bitters. The restaurant will also showcase over 50 types of whisky, with a unique selection sourced from India.

Guests will be greeted by whimsical topiary elephants and an antique front door, whilst inside will feature verdant foliage against calming shades of blue and intricate beaded details.

Kochhar migrated to United Kingdom in 1994 to open a restaurant called Tamarind that won him the Michelin. And, later in 2002 he opened Benares in London. He also opned two restaurants in India few years back.

 
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