JKS to open new Indian restaurant in Mayfair
The newest restaurant will celebrate food, drink, music and culture from the region of Punjab
JKS Restaurants is set to launch its first Indian concept in five years, Ambassadors Clubhouse, this summer at 25 Heddon Street, Mayfair.
The newest restaurant will celebrate food, drink, music and culture from the region of Punjab.
Named after the Sethis’ maternal grandfather, a former Indian Ambassador, the restaurant will take inspiration from his summer house in Dalhousie (formerly part of Punjab) and North India’s abandoned party mansions, as well as the founders’ own Punjabi heritage.
The menu will focus on the cuisine of the region. Culinary traditions and rare regional recipes will be showcased with a menu featuring classic papads, chaats and bitings, lesser-known kebabs cooked across the tandoor, sigri and tawa, curries cooked in cast-iron karahis and clay matkas, pilaus, biryanis, tandoor-roasted breads, and classic desserts.
Dish highlights will include Paan Patta Chaat, Mooli and Dahi Kebabs, Nalli Chapli Kebab, Karahi Saufiyan Langoustines, Punjabi Atta Chicken, and Haryali Rara Rabbit Keema.
An all-day drinks list brings guests through lunch to dinner to late-night parties, with a focus on tequila and mezcal cocktails blended with regional produce. Highlights will include a selection of “Punjabi Margaritas” all made with exotic north Indian fruits and citrus and paired with chaat masala spiced salts.
The list will also include a number of celebratory large serves – including the Patiala Peg made with Johnnie Walker Gold – encapsulating the traditions of Punjab where hospitality and generosity are celebrated through the sharing of fine liquor in abundance. Shots, gin and tonics, beer and wine will complete the list.
The 140 cover restaurant will be split across two floors, featuring a 40 cover outdoor heated verandah and three private dining spaces – The Raja Rani Room, seating up to 14 guests, The Jungli Room, seating up to 6 guests and The Tamasha Room, seating up to 10 guests.
Designed by North End Design, the restaurant’s interiors will feature classic Indian patterns overlaid with bright, modern prints. The dining room will feature a maximalist central bar with a gold dome, booth seating and counter dining while the lower ground floor will feature a drinking and dining space, alongside a DJ booth, open until late.
From September, a dedicated music series will be hosted on the lower ground floor on selected nights. The line up will include resident and programmed DJs with sounds from Punjabi Dance to Hip Hop, Garage and House, in collaboration with Punjabi cultural curator Sukhchain Sohal, behind sell-out underground club night, Jawani4Eva.