Charred Broccoli to Yakiniku Lamb Chop: Relish exotic food at Gauri Khan’s Torii

A partnered venture this fine dining is run by celebrity ace interior designer Gauri Khan and restauranter Abhayraj Kohli who is also one of the individuals behind the growth of Pritam Group of Hotelsrsquo 80yearold legacySince its inception Torri has been serving Japanese cuisine enveloping a wide array of dishes on its specially crafted menu The panAsain restaurant has also been offering special menus on various occasions It recently launched its set lunch menu for patrons who wish to indulge in delectable meals during the day While Mumbairsquos culinary diversity is vast Torii seeks to stand out from the rest by becoming a premier dining spot in India that competes with the finest restaurants globally Cofounder Gauri Khan tells Middaycom ldquoWith Torii my partner Abhayraj Kohli and I wanted to create a sophisticated and glamorous restaurant and bar where quality is seen in everything mdash from the food to the drinks and of course the designrdquoTorii cofounders and head chef Cofounder Abhayraj Kohli Left Chef Stefan Gadit Centre Cofounder Gauri Khan RightTorii distinguishes itself through its innovative approach to Japanese cuisine combined with a seamless integration of cultural elements The sophisticated and elegant interiors reflect a modern aesthetic creating a unique and memorable dining atmosphereKhan herself has designed the space with her creative flair Speaking about her reason for venturing into the food industry she tells us ldquoOnce I began designing restaurants it got me thinking about how I could be more involved in this industry which I find so exciting That is how Torii came to liferdquoAdding to this Khanrsquos partner and cofounder Abhayraj Kohli says ldquoAs a restauranter you always keep looking to explore all the possibilities coming your way One of them was partnering with Gauri Khan Her expertise in design and commendable palate gave me the liberty to put all my expertise too into running a restaurantrdquoHe further informs ldquoWith the recent revamp of the restaurant we look forward to bring in more exclusive menus that will allow us to offer variant dishes Currently we have Set Lunch menu that we are offering at a very reasonable pricerdquoWhy Torii is a musttryThis writer recently visited the space to try out some of their signature dishes and was welcomed by Chef Stefan Gadit the man behind crafting the entire menu at Torii The chef who personally loves relishing PeruvianJapanese Nikkei cuisine Indian and Lebanese cuisine tells us ldquoAsian cuisine is becoming popular due to its bold umamipacked flavours perceived health benefits and increased global exposure Itrsquos downright delicious The best part about cooking Asian dishes is the vibrant diversity of flavours and techniques that allow for creativity and a deep connection to cultural traditionsrdquoOn being asked what went into crafting the menu for Torii Chef Gadit tells the writer ldquoMy travels and work experience across the globe is my inspiration for the food at Torii I want to cook good honest food with bold flavours and present it with elegance and style the same way in which Gauri has designed the restaurantrdquoHe further adds ldquoI have innovated the dishes at Torii by blending traditional Japanese techniques with modern culinary trends incorporating seasonal and locally sourced ingredients and presenting dishes with contemporary flair while preserving their authentic essencerdquoAs stated by the founders and the chef dining at Torri is an experience that goes just beyond serving food Pleasing interiors soothing music wafting aroma of the food satisfying the olfactory senses warm and welcoming staff and of course the exotic dishes that elevate the taste buds all combined make Torii a musttryThe writer was served Charred Broccoli Torii Veg Gyoza Selection Sizzling Cottage Cheese and Steamed Edamame Each of these was delicious enough to transport the writer into a state of pure bliss Soft textures and the umami ingredients of the dishes created an explosion of flavours in the mouth ndash the taste of which lingered on the taste buds for a long time Ending the meal on a rather high note the writer washed down the umami flavours with a decadent dessert ndash lsquoChocolatersquo prepared using hazelnut mousse praline and miso chocolate ice cream Other dishes that one can try at Torii include maki rolls featuring the Dirty Truffle avocado crispy shimeji and truffle mayo and the Dirty Torii tuna salmon Hamachi mirin truffle mayo and signature cold dishes Under salads snacks and tempura you can indulge in Jacket Potato Tenderloin Sliders and Enoki Mushroom Tempura From the charcoal grill you can savour dishes like Yakiniku Baby Corn Caramelized Pork Belly and Shrimp KushiyakiToriirsquos signature dishes offer picks like Yakinuku Lobster featuring herbed seaweed butter and charred Italian lemon the comforting Truffle Mushroom Ramen made from bamboo shoots bok choy and corn and for those looking for a heartier option Torii Steak and Chips featuring 8 oz tenderloin buff black garlic butter and chimichurriOne can also dig into their variety of dim sums and woks featuring Jalapeno Cottage Cheese Mushi Gyoza Thai Chicken Myushi Gyoza Thai Chicken Myushi Gyoza Sea Bass with XO sauce and Cottage Cheese and Snow PeaA delectable selection of desserts at Torii offers options like Yuzu Mielle Feuille Shibuya Toast and The TropicsOne can also pair their flavourful meals with an equally specially crafted mocktail and cocktail menu Being a fine dining space located in a prime locality like Pali Hill dining at Torii can be an extravagant affair especially for the common man of Mumbai Nevertheless in this writerrsquos opinion the restaurant is a perfect place to celebrate with family and close friends on special occasions like birthdays anniversaries achievements or certain milestones in lifeTimings Monday to Sunday 12 noon 4 pm amp 7 pm 1 amVenue 21 Pali Hill Rd Union Park Khar West Mumbai Maharashtra 400052