Ranveer Brar is a highly respected chef in India, known for his creative and diverse cooking that highlights the flavors of his home country.
Starting from his early days in Lucknow, where he learned cooking from local vendors and his grandmother to becoming a successful restaurateur, author, TV host, and MasterChef India judge, Brar has always had a deep passion for food and its cultural significance.
This blog post will explore some restaurants linked to Ranveer Brar and how they showcase his culinary philosophy.
Early Career
Ranveer Brar began his culinary journey at the Taj Mahal Hotel, refining his skills and exploring various cuisines. In 2001, he ventured to Goa and opened three restaurants at the Fort Aguada Beach Resort: Morisco, a seafood restaurant; Il Camino, an Italian eatery; and Fishtail, an open-air barbecue spot.
These establishments marked his first experiments with fusion cuisine, blending local Goan flavors with influences from Christian, Portuguese, and Italian cooking. Brar introduced modern techniques and unique presentations, creating a distinctive guest dining experience.
Discovering Flavorful Heights: Ranveer Brar’s Notable Restaurants List
Following his experience in Goa, Ranveer Brar expanded his culinary endeavors internationally, establishing Banq, an upscale Franco-Asian restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2008.
Banq garnered acclaim, securing prestigious awards, including Best New Restaurant in the World from Wallpaper magazine, recognizing its captivating design and exceptional cuisine. Unfortunately, the restaurant faced closure due to the financial crisis.
Subsequently, Brar returned to India, taking on the role of Senior Executive Chef at Novotel Mumbai, where he continued to innovate with new culinary creations.
Ranveer Brar is associated with several notable restaurants, each reflecting his culinary ingenuity:
TAG Gourmart Kitchen (Mumbai):
A cool vegetarian place in Mumbai where Ranveer Brar makes tasty dishes from India, the Mediterranean, and Asia. They also bake yummy desserts and bread. You can find it in Kamala Mills, a popular spot in South Mumbai with a stylish and fancy feel.
Some top dishes at TAG are the beetroot and goat cheese salad, mushroom galouti kebab, paneer tikka pizza, and chocolate hazelnut mousse cake.
2. English Vinglish (Mumbai):
A special sweet place in Bandra, Mumbai, where Brar mixes Indian and Western desserts. They also serve Indian-style savory dishes. The atmosphere is cozy and colorful.
You should try desserts like rasmalai tres leches, motichoor laddoo tart, gajar halwa macaron, and kulfi falooda cake.
Kinara by Vikas Khanna (Dubai):
In Dubai, Brar teamed up with another famous chef, Vikas Khanna, to make modern Indian food. You can watch chefs cook in the open kitchen, and there’s a bar for tasty drinks.
It’s in JA Lake View Hotel, a fancy place in Dubai. They serve dishes from different parts of India like Kashmiri rogan josh, Lucknowi biryani, Amritsari chole, and Hyderabadi haleem.
Kashkan (Dubai):
Brar’s new restaurant in Dubai, which opened in September 2023, blends the flavors of Kashmir and Kanyakumari, showcasing the diversity of Indian food. It serves straightforward and comforting Indian dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.
The restaurant is located on Palm Jumeirah, an amazing island in Dubai, known for its welcoming and friendly atmosphere. On the menu, you can expect dishes like Kashmiri dum aloo, Kanyakumari fish curry, Rajasthani laal maas, and Bengali mishti doi.
Culinary Philosophy
Ranveer Brar loves making tasty food by blending the rich traditions of Indian cooking with exciting global influences. He uses fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients to craft meals that are both balanced and healthy.
Brar is also dedicated to eco-friendly and ethical food choices, such as using organic produce and backing responsible farming.
He’s always ready to explore new cooking methods and flavors, creating unique dishes that shake up the typical expectations of Indian cuisine.
Read: Is Ranveer Brar a Michelin-star chef?
Awards and Recognition
Ranveer Brar has received many awards for his contributions to the food world, including:
- Indian of the Year Award for Chef and TV Host in 2017
- LFEGA Food Entertainer of the Year Award in 2018
- Outstanding Contribution towards the Food & Beverage Industry Award at the Food Connoisseurs India Awards in 2021
- People’s Choice Culinary Icons of the Year Award in 2022
- Pinkvilla Style Icons Award for Super Stylish Chef in 2022
He’s also an honorary member of the James Beard Foundation and has been recognized by different groups like AIWF, AICA, and the Mayor of Boston for his fantastic cooking.
Future Plans
Ranveer Brar is excited about what’s next in his cooking journey. Here’s a peek at his upcoming projects:
- He’s making a new book with his favorite recipes and stories from his travels.
- Teaming up with the Lucknow government’s prison cooks and the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBD), Brar is helping out with cooking tips.
- Working with NGO Nidan and the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), Brar is teaching street vendors about safe and clean food practices.
- Looking forward, Brar wants to open more restaurants in India and other places, growing his cooking empire.
Ranveer Brar is not just a chef; he has a big heart and shares his love for food with everyone around. Despite his culinary brilliance, it’s noteworthy that he has not yet received the coveted Michelin-star chef.