We have been following his social media for some days now. Anthony Burd, Culinary Director at Cantina, BKC, grew up in a lively Italian-American home in New Jersey, where food was always a language of love. The CIA-trained chef, has cooked across Aspen, Napa, New York, Hong Kong and Bangkok, earning Michelin recognition and building beloved restaurants along the way, including the cult favourite Tony’s in Bangkok. Known for his generosity, curiosity and deep respect for ingredients, The Truffle King, as he is most often called, brings that same spirit to Mumbai. At Cantina, where Nho Saigon previously was (shut in May 2025), he blends heritage and heart into a menu meant for sharing, lingering, and feeling at home.

Speaking of Nho Saigon shutting down, Origin Restaurant’s co-founder, Yagyarth Meiwal. tells us, “It was a business decision, not an emotional one. We realised that while the space had become broadly ‘Asian’ for many diners, Nho Saigon needed to be fully and authentically Vietnamese. But Vietnamese food is still niche here — In India, if 10 people walk into a restaurant, 3 or 4 may not want the same cuisine as the rest, which changes the entire dining dynamic.” “So we felt the brand deserved a smaller, more intimate space that truly does justice to the cuisine,” adds co-founder Shaurya Malwa.