Indian restaurateur Rohan D’Souza is to open his first UK restaurant at the biginning of August. D’Souza – who is behind Pisco by the Beach, After Dinner, The Lazy Goose and Blue Turtle in Goa, The Coconut Boy in Mumbai, The Backwaters in Kochi and Café Montagneleh in Ladakh – will open Bulbul, named afye in Blackfriars on 18th July.
In partnership with Twinkle Keswani, who was named Young Restaurateur of the Year by India’s The Economic Times in 2023, D’Souza will offer “vibrant small plates, inventive cocktails and immersive design”.
The duo formed their menu by travelling across India to ‘borrow’ ideas from regional cooks, home kitchens and local markets, “exploring recipes and techniques that rarely travel beyond their place of origin”.
Dishes will include Jim Corbett Hunter’s Murgh Mussallam (rustic Mughlai chicken slow-cooked with warm whole spices) and Nilgiri Beef Short Rib Korma (slow-braised beef short ribs enriched with coriander, mint and aromatic spice), while the Flight of Bulbul will feature cocktails “inspired by India’s different regions, ingredients and culinary traditions”. Bulbul will also feature a ten-seat private dining room for celebrations and special gatherings.
Restaurant consultant and former Grand Trunk Road restaurateur, Rajesh Suri, is overseeing the opening.
Author: George Shaw
Former BBC journalist and founder and CEO of an award-winning London advertising and PR company for 20 years, providing restaurant consultancy services. Spent a decade as the director of communications of the Asian Catering Federation in the UK and lead judge for its various restaurant and chef awards programmes. Now returned to journalism, specialising in food and travel and currently the Editor-in-Chief for Taste London, Taste Asia, the Good Curry Guide and CEO of International Culinary Guides.