Gauri Khan's new restaurant promises a sophisticated dining experience centred on progressive Asian cuisine

After dominating the world of interior design, Gauri Khan is ready to take over the hospitality industry with her new restaurant, Torii. A fine-dining pan-Asian restaurant in Bandra, Torii treats its diners' taste buds to a smorgasbord of flavours. In addition to the masterful culinary creations, the restaurant reflects Khan’s commitment to creating immersive dining spaces as well as her vision of modern luxury. In an exclusive interview with Bazaar India, Khan, who has styled the homes of some of the biggest stars in Bollywood, spills the beans on the idea behind the name Torii, what sets it apart from other fine-dining restaurants, and more.

Harper’s Bazaar: What’s the story behind the name of the restaurant?

Gauri Khan: In Japanese, the word, ‘Torii’ represents the gateway to a Shinto shrine or temple. We chose this name as it reflects the idea of a ‘gateway’ to a food haven. The design of the restaurant reflects a forward-thinking approach to Asian cuisine, creating a contemporary and dynamic atmosphere that caters to diverse tastes.

HB: What are some of the must-try dishes at Torii and which ones are your favourite?

GK: My personal favourites include the black cod; the green curry; and a variety of dim sums, especially the Jalapeno Cottage Cheese Mushi Gyoza with coriander and fresh red chillies and the Thai Chicken Mushi Gyoza with lemon grass, galangal, red chilli, and basil. I love the entire range of sushi and the maki rolls, which includes the Dirty Truffle (avocado, crispy shimeji, and truffle mayo) and the Dirty Torii (tuna, salmon, hamachi, mirin, and truffle mayo).

HB: What sets Torii apart from other restaurants? 

GK: Torii is centred on progressive Asian cuisine. And we, along with my co-partners, restaurateur Abhayraj Kohli and entrepreneur Tanaaz Bhatia, wanted to create a space that showcases quality in everything, from the food and drinks to the design. Everyone is so well travelled today, and so we wanted them to have a dining experience that is on par with the best restaurants around the globe at Torii.

HB: What can one expect from Torii in terms of its ambience, vibe, and interiors?

GK: Torii combines modern elegance with traditional Asian design, which is evident through statement features like the large entry door—framed in backlit black and white onyx, the mirrored ceiling, and the fluted glass windows. All of the elements included come together to create a warm and luxurious ambience. The signature colours chosen play an important role too—red evokes the spirit of celebration, green exudes a harmonious balance, while gold adds an element of luxury and sophistication.

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