VATAVARAN — Restaurant in London

If you are looking for a perfect date night then nestled in the heart of Knightsbridge, Vatavaran offers an extraordinary dining experience that transports us to the majestic Himalayas. The venue itself is breathtaking, with meticulous attention to detail in its decor. It's evident that no expense was spared in creating this stunning space that perfectly captures the essence of its Himalayan inspiration.

Under the culinary expertise of Chef Rohit Ghai and his business partner Abhi Sangwan, we embarked on their Chef's Selection journey. The Aloo Tikki was a revelation - crispy potato patties elevated with tangy tamarind and fresh pomegranate. The Goat Shami Kebab with bakarkhani and roasted plum was so exceptional that it left us wanting more.

The surprise star of the evening was the Hispi Cabbage - a vegetarian dish that completely changed our perspective. The combination of sesame, garlic, and pomegranate with their signature sauces was nothing short of sensational. The Salmon Tikka, marinated with kokum beetroot and served with coconut chutney, showcased their mastery over seafood.

The main courses were equally impressive. The Lamb Barbat with burnt spices was perfectly spiced, but the true showstopper was their Butter Chicken. Made with vine tomatoes, Kashmiri chilli, and yoghurt, it's arguably one of London's finest butter chicken dishes. The accompanying tadka dal, steamed rice, and fresh bread basket complemented every main course perfectly.

We concluded with their innovative desserts - the Phirni Raspberry with clarified butter and sorbet, and the creative Carrot Orange cake with cashews, both providing a perfect end to our meal. Their mocktail selection paired beautifully with each course.

Vatavaran isn't just a restaurant; it's a culinary journey that combines traditional Indian flavours with modern sophistication. The impeccable service, stunning ambience, and outstanding food make it a must-visit destination in London's dining scene.

Halal meat...

A Feast at Vatavaran - Where Tradition Meets Innovation

Knightsbridge just got hotter with the opening of Vatavaran on November 7th, helmed by culinary genius Rohit Ghai and my buddy Abhishake Sangwan. Situated a short stroll from Harrods in the space that once housed Geode, this spot redefines Indian fine dining with flair.

I took my schoolmate Matthew Naylor (all the way from Lytham St. Anne’s) for a much-needed catch-up over a feast that was equal parts nostalgic and groundbreaking.

The Highlights: We kicked off with the Dal Bati-comfort in every bite-and the Indori Poha Chaat, a tangy, textural delight. From the grills, the Hispi Cabbage stole the show with its smoky-sweet perfection, while the Imli Chicken packed a flavour bomb with peanut, papaya, and harissa.

For mains, the Lobster Neelgiri was reminiscent of a coastal Keralan curry but lacked the wow factor I craved, while the Duck Do Pyaza impressed with succulent meat but was overshadowed by overpowering pickled shallots. A little more sauce magic could elevate this to a winter comfort classic.

We wrapped it up with the Phirni ~ Raspberry-silky, rich, and utterly refreshing. Drinks? A glass of champagne (of course) followed by the standout cocktails: the vodka-based Sikkim (paan and coconut brilliance) and the gin-based Nisha (cucumber meets elderflower elegance).

My final verdict: While a couple of dishes could use an extra dash of boldness, the creativity and thought behind the menu are unmistakable. Add to that stunning decor, stellar service from Kamila and Nasir, and the personal touch of Abhishake and Prem, and you’ve got a dining experience worth repeating.

Vatavaran is more than a restaurant-it’s a statement. I’ll be back to explore the rest of the menu (and you should too).

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I visited with the family for lunch on a Sunday. It is a striking new venue and clearly a lot of investment has gone into the décor. The space is divided into 4 sections over 3.5 floors, and there is a different theme in each section. I was given a tour of the venue and it made quite an impression! That said it was pretty quiet on the day, all guests were seated in just one of the sections and even then it was only half full with just a handful of other tables occupied.

We were 2 adults and 3 young kids and between us ordered some papadoms, the prawn ghati masala, shami kebab, lamb chops, lobster curry, butter chicken, kaali (black) dahl, alongside some rice and an assortment of naans. For dessert we tried the chocolate lava (fondant). The food ranged from very good to excellent. The lobster curry was probably our favourite item, but the ghati prawns were also very enjoyable and their naans were definitely above average as well. The only disappointing item was the kaali dahl which was too thin in consistency. I must also give special mention to their drinks, we tried a couple of cocktails as well as a mocktail and these were excellent.

Service was very friendly and things moved along at a decent pace, which was to be expected given they weren’t busy. The bill for our family lunch came to £294, of which £75 was spent on drinks. Fairly pricey, but it was a sizeable lunch and within such plush surroundings in a place like Knightsbridge, it certainly could have been worse. A solid new addition to the Indian restaurant scene in London, with good food complemented by a strong cocktail menu and beautiful décor. I would rank Vatavaran in the middle of the 3 Rohit Ghai restaurants in London, not quite as good as Kutir but definitely preferable over Manthan. I look forward to a...