Rohit Khattar has given Indian cuisine a modern twist and put it on the world map with Indian Accent outposts
INTERVIEW BY SHAFQUAT ALI
Indian Accent has set up outposts in Delhi, New York and now Mumbai with a gap of seven years between each – 2009, 2016 and 2023, respectively. Is there a design behind staggering these openings?
No design at all. We are never in any rush and only when the right opportunity comes up, is when we open a restaurant. In the midst of all this, we have opened several other restaurants in other cities, though. The right location, the right space for the right concept is what we always aim for.
What took you so long to bring Indian Accent to Mumbai?
We had never actively looked for any space for Indian Accent in Mumbai. Although there had been many proposals none were as exciting as the beautiful space at the iconic Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. The Ambanis have been huge supporters of Indian Accent since our inception. So, it was a pleasure to accept their invitation and come here.
After gaining iconic status in the capital city, how do you plan to up the ante in the Maximum City?
To be honest, we are just sticking to the same playbook as the other Indian Accent restaurants i.e. provide consistent excellence in food and service in an atmosphere which lends itself to one of the best dining experiences anywhere. Touch wood, Mumbai seems to have taken to us quite well, which we are most grateful for.
I know you have said this before – that the Mumbai outpost is only competing against Indian Accent in Delhi and Indian Accent in New York – but, moving forward, do you any foresee competition in the city?
This may have been taken out of context, in a previous press article. I was holding a staff training session, in which I quizzed everyone to name the competition and sure enough they named some of the best restaurants in the city and there are several great ones in here. I then told the team that they were all wrong because Indian Accent, Mumbai would be “judged” by diners who in the last 14 years have eaten several times in Indian Accent, New Delhi, or in the last seven years at Indian Accent, NYC. That’s the competition they need to be up for and I think the team has picked up the gauntlet quite well.
What is it about the restaurant that makes guests feel like home?
My mantra has always been to tell our team that we are not in the business of hospitality. At this price point, we are in the business of pampering – and that is what we like to do by recognising guests and anticipating their needs – all the while making sure it is a well-orchestrated ballet in the front of the house with consistent quality checks at the back of the house.
Reflecting the city’s rich history, the restaurant pays homage to Mumbai’s art deco movement. What was the idea/inspiration behind recreating the iconic style of the 1920s and 1930s with a contemporary twist?
My wife Rashmi and I have always loved art deco, and beginning with our first restaurant Chor Bizarre, which is in the art deco Hotel Broadway, that my grandfather had built, we have always longed to design a restaurant as a homage to this movement.
What better city to do so than Mumbai which is second only to Miami in the number of art deco buildings. Our brief to our designers was to take the essence of this movement but still keep a contemporary thread. Russell Sage Studios, our Design Director Rohini Kapur and our Director Development Vikas Bhasin all did a great job to make it happen.
What was the thought process behind the new, refreshed menu?
When we opened Indian Accent, New York, we had changed almost the entire menu. We were astounded at how many regulars and how many Americans who have been to Indian Accent, New Delhi started asking for our signature dishes. Therefore, we have retained some of our best-loved dishes but naturally looked at adapting to Mumbai and its habits. For instance, we are aware that there will be more takers for the vegetarian menu, and we have seen that in the first two weeks, itself.
You will see a lot of seasonal changes happening as we go along. The menu seems to have been accepted quite well. We are delighted that serious food writers like Vir Sanghvi, who have been dining from day one at Indian Accent, Delhi, have felt that the Mumbai restaurant is at par.
This is a tough one – between Delhi, New York and Mumbai do you have a personal favourite. And if so, why?
Well, currently it’s Mumbai because that is what’s taking all my mind’s space with the other two running like clockwork. It will take a new one to change favourites.
Where do you plan to take Indian Accent brand from here?
We have offers and are exploring Indian Accent in multiple world cities, but as you know from our track record it takes us a long time and a spectacular opportunity to take the leap. You will be the first to know when we do so.
