Former Tamarind head chef Peter Joseph to open London restaurant

Peter Joseph, former head chef of the Michelin-starred Tamarind restaurant in London, is set to launch a new restaurant called Kahani in London's Chelsea.

The new 100-cover venue promises to be a progressive Indian restaurant, using British seasonal ingredients and with an interior inspired by Hindu storytelling and philosophy (the Urdu word "kahani" means "story").

Kahani will be located opposite concert venue Cadogan Hall at 1 Wilbraham Place, on the site of what was once Michael Riemenschneider's ill-fated Canvas restaurant.

Joseph has taken inspiration from his upbringing in Tamil Nadu for the restaurant.

First courses at Kahani will be served as finger food, forgoing the formalities of fine dining, in an attempt to reflect the status of eating as a community's means to celebrate and bring people together.

The menu will rely heavily on lighter, grilled proteins and vegetables from a Robata grill and feature only two curries.

Small dishes will include fusion plates such as golden beets tiki, masala grilled avocado, and Tandoori calamari.

Skewers from the grill will include combinations such as blue crab, wild venison boti, rabbit kebabs and langoustines.

Desserts will abandon tradition and include a "chilli chocolate mousse bomb" as well as Joseph's "melt-in-the-middle cheesecakes".

The restaurant, designed by Kai Interiors, will have an open grill area, a live lobster and crab tank, and nods to India's national bird, the peacock.

Joseph said: "Kahani means ‘story' and I am thrilled to be embarking on this new chapter in my life.

"Love for food and a pursuit of excellence in all that I commit to has taken me on a fascinating journey and I want to keep innovating and pushing boundaries with my food to ensure that people keep following my story and coming back for more."

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