Chef Rohit Ghai Unveils An Immersive Dining Experience With Vatavaran In London

The Indian diaspora is a community deeply acquainted with the ache of yearning for home – a feeling that transcends borders and time. Within this longing lies an uncanny ability to transform nostalgia into something tangible, pieced together with fragments of tradition, flavour, and culture into a vibrant mosaic. In keeping with this, the acclaimed Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai and his longtime collaborator, a hospitality expert Abhi Sangwan, unveil a nouveau fine-dine restaurant in London’s Knightsbridge. Aptly christened ‘Vatavaran,’ a Sanskrit word that loosely translates to ‘atmosphere,’—this rustic-chic restaurant sits amidst a gamut of emporiums at the Beauchamp Place in London.

Chef Ghai’s newest addition to a continuum of restaurants celebrating his multicultural journey spans from Punjab to Manthan Mayfair in London, Ishka 360 in Doha, Rivayat at the Oberoi Hotel in Marrakech, and beyond. Vatavaran’s interiors evoke the treacherous terrains of the Himalayan ranges, while its delectable menu captures the essence of the magnificent mountains, offering a warm slice of home.

A Journey Through The Himalayas

Conceptualized by Abhi Sangwan in just three months, the restaurant opened its doors in November 2024. It was brought to life in collaboration with the Newcastle-based Collective Design studio and the Forty-Eight Point One branding team. From evoking forest mystique in Taj Kutir to channelling the tranquil oceanic depths of Manthan, Sangwan’s concept pays homage to the Indian folklore that weaves a variegated tapestry of nature. Sangwan explains, “The aim was to create an Indian dining concept that immerses guests in the sensory beauty of the Himalayas.” With their tranquil and daunting character, the Himalayan ranges serve as a duo of muse and metaphor, embodying the vigour, malleability, and persistent essence of those who carry its heritage across boundaries.

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Akin to the outlandish character of the Himalayan terrain, mirroring the region’s elements served as a design challenge for this restaurant. “The inspiration of the Himalayas offered a perfect balance, creating a luxurious yet serene ambience, fitting for the area,” Sangwan reveals. Set against the wrought iron railings and the rustic façade of Beauchamp Place A street-facing emporium with a cobalt sunshade etched with the words ‘Vatavaran’ emerges. Speckled with references to India, this restaurant is a poetic ode—a concept born from the longing and love for a land that the diaspora cherishes.

The journey of this opulent multi-level restaurant commences through the deep blue doors paired with a glass façade, offering glimpses of the ground floor that transports patrons into the ethereal realm of mountains. Sangwan further muses, “Each level of the restaurant stands out by representing different Himalayan elements.” He adds, “The design captures the sensory and spiritual beauty of the Himalayas, making each floor a unique experience.”

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Deciphering Vatavaran’s Design Recipe

With blue wainscoted walls, and velvety upholstery paired with hints of white, the foundational floor is a nod to beginnings steeped in nostalgia. Perched above, the mezzanine with warm auburn hues offers a window into traditional cooking, with an open kitchen allowing patrons to peer into the process of chefs as they craft culinary chefs-d’oeuvre. Mimicking the interplay of shadows on the sunlit ridges of the mountains, this floor overlooks the ground floor, sustaining a connection between the two floors.

Trailing to the first floor, a lush forest-inspired verdant area transpires with a patchy, unfinished brick wall that imbues the space with a rustic chic vibe. The green hues, paired with a floral wallpaper take the patrons on an expedition for reflection, akin to the diaspora’s quest for identity. Meanwhile, a wine cooler serves as a mini-gallery of indulgence, flaunting a curated wine collection that narrates accounts of its making. Ultimately, as one ascends to ‘Shikhar’—the pinnacle of a peak—the final floor of the restaurant materialises exuding summit-like grandeur. With crimson accents, bold printed wallpapers and a mirrored ceiling glistening like snow-kissed peaks, this bar strikes the perfect balance, offering an ideal atmosphere for savouring a curated concoction. Sangwan reiterates, “We wanted to develop a space that would feel like a journey through nature—elegant, layered, and highly experiential.”

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A Culinary Pilgrimage

“The Himalayas hold a profound cultural and spiritual significance, and we’ve worked tirelessly to translate that into a culinary experience that will transport our guests to this magical part of the world,” notes Ghai. With a delectable and reimagined menu cruising through the Himalayas and the heart of Indian cuisine, catering to a global palate, this restaurant serves as a meeting point for tradition and contemporary flair. From coconut-kissed ‘Robata-Grilled Tiger Prawns’ to a slow-cooked ‘Lamb Shank Biryani’, each dish tells a tale of spice adventures from India’s rich culinary tapestry, including ‘Smoky Guinea Fowl with Beetroot’ to ‘Amritsari Kulche with Choley’. Culminating into a dessert, with ‘Garlic Almond Cannoli with Pistachio Mawa’ and ‘Tangy Sous-Vide Pineapple with Jaggery and Chutney’—an ode to bold flavours.

The drinks menu at ‘Shikhar’ is a playful, nostalgic riff, “Creating a cocktail menu inspired by the incredible sweet delicacies of India has been a dream project,” reveals Sangwan who is also the mixologist at Vatavaran. Picture ‘Jalebi’ suffused with ‘Saffron and Arak’ or ‘Gulab Jamun’ spun into ‘Spiced Rum’—offering a glass tradition with an intrepid twist. While revelling in these concoctions, the bar’s pièce de résistance transpires in the form of a deck of cards, where if one draws a ‘trump card’ they can craft a drink with a mixologist.

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With a yearning at its heart and the mountains in its bones, Vatavaran echoes tales of the distant lands. Ghai muses, “We wanted Vatavaran to feel like home for anyone who’s ever longed for a place they’ve only heard about in stories.” Here, saffron dreams entwined with spiced whispers, while every bite fills the heart with a feeling of homecoming. More than just a place to enjoy an Indian meal meal-serving haven, it transforms longing into art with a striking blend of cobalt and auburn, a crimson summit, and inventive cocktails that redefine tradition.