Chef Garima Arora of the Michelin-starred Gaa is opening a new venture named "Here" on Sukhumvit 53.
A casual dining spot, Here is described as "a modern Indian breakfast canteen and wine bar", which will open its doors mid-November.
Here will be housed on the first floor of the new Restaurant Gaa on the corner of Sukhumvit 53 and Thong Lor 1. The venue, a well-preserved 60-year-old Thai house originally from Ayutthaya surrounded by lush greenery, is hard to miss. The interior is an open living room with an eclectic mix of mid-modern century furniture, enhanced with sounds of jazz and world music. A wine cellar that will be home to around 3,500 bottles, all carefully selected by Gaa head sommelier and Star Wine List Bangkok Ambassador Fredrik Wohlrabe, will be on display.
"I have always wanted to have a fun everyday place. When we found this location, the idea of building a restaurant inspired by an Indian canteen came to me instantly. Here is intended to recreate the energy of a canteen as we know it back home where you can walk in for real, comforting and nutritious food that packs big in flavour. In a way, it's the kind of restaurant where I want to eat at for breakfast, lunch and dinner," says chef Arora.
The breakfast canteen opens daily from 7:30am-5pm, starting off with a menu focusing on healthy and wholesome Indian dishes like black rice dosa, sweet and savoury millet porridge served with toppings of fruits and fresh bread served with homemade fresh cheese and grilled rose, alongside a drink list which highlights widely loved India's beverages like chai, cold coffee and shikanji (Indian lemonade).
For Bangkokians on the go, there is a takeaway storefront featuring chai and coffees, as well as a selection of freshly-made snacks like paniarams loaded with fillings like Bombay potatoes, caramelised bananas with fried anchovies to rose and nuts, as well as an all new take on kulfis. In the afternoon, diners can enjoy a light all-day menu.
Come 5pm, the wine bar offers an a la carte menu with twist on favourites like Indian breads, non-vegetarian and vegetarian kebabs, coastal snacks and even betel leaf chaat, all to be enjoyed with an exclusive old world wine list. On the non-alcoholic side, a lively list of juices concocted from seasonal fruits and ferments are available.
Here, much like Gaa, plans to champion traditional Indian cooking techniques using Thai produce. "I want to put behind us the idea that Indian food is only ever going to be curries and naan. My mission is to make people fall in love with the high-spirited and playful repertoire of flavours of the cuisines of India through the food at Here," Arora adds.
Here, 46/1 Sukhumvit 53 / Call 097-140-5647, email info@herebkk.com, visit FB.com/herebkk, herebkk.com.
