Manthan, the latest restaurant from critically-acclaimed Chef Rohit Ghai (of Kutir in Chelsea), opens today, 28 September, in London's Mayfair.
Ghai and business partner Abhishake Sangwan return to Mayfair - the neighbourhood where Rohit made his name and they first began to work with one another - to launch Manthan, a new Indian restaurant specialising in innovative sharing plates and cocktails.
Manthan, meaning to churn and reflect, is inspired by Ghai's extensive international career to date, and dishes reflect his culinary experiences – both professional and personal – in kitchens all over the world as well as the street food markets he has frequented for over 20 years throughout India, and specifically in Delhi, Ultar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh (where he grew up).
The talented and passionate chef has drawn on these experiences to create a menu that represents his appreciation of both home-style cooking and expertly honed techniques. There is a selection of Ghai’s Mother’s signature dishes on the menu, including Chatpata (dishes that are spicy, tangy and flavourful) Tikkas and Chops and for the first time professionally Ghai is cooking his family’s Aloo paratha with home made churned butter, a traditional Punjabi breakfast dish of bread stuffed with potato. These sharing plates sit alongside street food bar snacks - Gali ka khaana (street food) - such as Ram ladoo and Chaat.
The menu also features sections dedicated to Sekwa kebabs, (a nepalese delicacy) and Rassedar curries for which Ghai offes one signature meat, fish or vegetarian dish, leaving guests to choose their matching sauce and accompaniment (rice or paratha). There is a firm focus on vegetarian dishes, with nearly half of the small plates entirely meat-free and many vegan.
Signature dishes on the menu to look out for include: Goat shami kebab in bone marrow sauce; Aloo paratha; Burford Brown egg curry; Tawe ki masala arbi (grilled root vegetables); Pyaz ki kachori (a fried pastry filled with a spicy onion filling) served with mint and tamarind chutney; Curry leaf pepper fish; Jaffna lamb (a sri lankan spice mix); Andhra jackfruit dosai, and for dessert, the must-try Garlic kheer. Prices start from £9.
Ghai launches his first cookbook Tarkari, a celebration of innovative vegetarian and vegan Indian recipes for the homecook, this October, published by Kyle books.
On this exciting new opening, Ghai comments: “I’ve never cooked this way before in London - dishes that truly speak to my past, as well as my present. Manthan is a culmination of many years of work and I hope speaks to Londoners as being representative of the comfort food I love from home as well as the food I have made my name cooking here.”
Drinks-wise, a concise cocktail menu has been compiled by co-founder Sangwan, formerly of Trishna and Bombay Bustle. The name Manthan also refers to the churning of the oceans and references Hindu mythology. Inspired by, and named after, the 7 oceans of the world and the myths that surround them, the cocktails are rich and full-bodied featuring fresh exotic fruits, grilled and then muddled in the kitchen, as well as botanicals, and an innovative selection of infusions and flavours that match and enhance the food. Indian spirits, fine and new-world wines are accompanied by an extensive non-alcoholic cocktail menu. Signature cocktail the Amrita is made from Calvados, date-infused rum, with tandoor-grilled spiced fig, and topped with Champagne, priced at £9.
Interiors of sleek dark wood and marble finishes, and seats are arranged around a central statement bar, providing the perfect backdrop for convivial dining, drinking, and snacking. Manthan will have a buzzy atmosphere: relaxed but with a Mayfair twist.