I have been thinking about two completely different restaurants this week. One is in Bangkok. The other is in New York. Both are wildly popular. Both are run by Indian chefs. And the success of both is extraordinary enough to suggest that something is changing in the way the world looks at Indian food.
The Bangkok restaurant is the new Gaggan at Louis Vuitton, in Ploenchit. The building has been taken over by Louis Vuitton and must be the fanciest, most up to date Vuitton store in the world. There is a small restaurant (around 40 covers) run by Gaggan.
There are several extraordinary things about this. First, why would Vuitton not choose a French chef? Second, if not French, then why not a Thai chef in Bangkok? And third, why choose Gaggan with his reputation as the unpredictable genius and his love of Japanese designer wear?
I don't have any answers to these questions but when I went for dinner last week, I was startled by how elegant the restaurant was (every last detail is by Louis Vuitton including the glasses and the napkin holders) and how absolutely perfect the service was. It was the sort of experience you would get at a two-Michelin star restaurant in Paris.
This story is from the April 13, 2024 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 13, 2024 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Are You Of Week Mind?
You can't speed up fitness. Skincare is a slow process. Even learning a skill can take a year. Try unhacking for a change
A case of myth direction
Nutritional data is changing all the time. So, advice often seems contradictory and sketchy. Is breakfast essential? Is red meat evil? What's wrong with soy? Here's where science stands on the big questions
No kids on the block
Being childfree can be just as rewarding as having a big family. Those who've made the choice say there's no guilt, no regret. There are, however, bold new challenges. Take a look
Shes making her point
She calls herself Dot. She's anything but insignificant. Meet Aditi Saigal, viral at 18, actor by accident, musician for life, determined to try it all
Stand out, dont stick out
To whomsoever it may concern, when applying for a job over email, here's how to be personal, yet professional. Yours sincerely...
Drawn of a new age
Anime heroes and heroines are finally growing up. They're chivalrous, cheeky and vulnerable. Here are our favourites from the last few years
There's lots to unpack here
Moving house is bittersweet. There's tons of decluttering to get through, to make room for new memories. Here are my tips
A stirring in our spirits
India drinks more whisky than any other country. But most of it has been flavoured neutral alcohol. The real stuff, made from grain, is now brewed locally, and has fans the world over. Pour a large one and cheer
Thank you, next!
How much can you decode from a man's dating bio? We got actor Alaya F to suss out a few profiles and tell us what how to spot a creep from a keeper via just a few lines
Small batch, big worry
Artisanal goods cost more. But they also stand for a different way of living and doing business. See how some of them are crafting change
