Case Study
A Palate for Progress
Traditional flavours, modern presentation: how Farzi Café puts a fresh spin on authentic Asian cuisine
Farzi Café opened its first UK venue in 2019. With 10 sites across India and a further five in the Middle East, it promised to import the culture, tradition and innovative presentation of south Asia, along with all the authentic, modern flavours the region's cuisine has to offer. Nikhil Joshi, restaurant director, lets It's On in on the secret to how Farzi has infused Asian style and culture into the Western dining scene.
London Calling
Challenging expectations
When Nikhil Joshi talks about Farzi Café, his enthusiasm is infectious – and his passion for progressive cuisine is crystal clear. So when the restaurant chain decided to open its first UK site at the beginning of 2019, it offered Nikhil and others an opportunity to update and breathe new life into their already lively menu.
"There were certain dishes inspired by classic Indian cooking,” Nikhil explains. “But between our chefs we worked to create something completely fresh for the London dining scene. We wanted a menu that challenged all expectations of our concept!"
"We wanted to create something completely fresh!"Nikhil Joshi, Farzi
And they certainly got it. But with a revitalised menu came a need for fresh, equally as inventive crockery. And Farzi got it right there too. Pairing regal, cooling turquoise with warming brass details, their tableware brings together a gorgeous contrast of rich tones and subtler ones that mirrors the delicate balance of flavours in their dishes. Sharp geometric plates, bowls and glasses accompany softer, natural shapes perfectly capturing the blend of the fresh with the unique, the modern with the familiar that Farzi does so well.
Shop now >"We wanted to create something completely fresh for the London dining scene... We wanted a menu that challenged all expectations of our concept!"
Nikhil Joshi, Farzi
Particularly Plated
Creating style with balance
As any chef worth their salt will agree, food is more than just food. It’s art. And the plate? Surely, it's the canvas. It's a philosophy that Farzi Café has used to great effect when it comes to the overall look of their tables. Carefully balancing colour, material and texture, their tableware has been selected to reflect the tradition of Indian cuisine and culture, where the rustic sits side by side with the strikingly modern. But more than this, distinct tableware masterfully highlights each dish as its own. Stoneware is used as a homey, natural base for Farzi’s rich and authentic desserts, while the vivid greens of their salads pop freshly against black porcelain backdrops.
"Every plate we serve our food on has been chosen specifically by the chef for each and every dish," Nikhil explains. "It gives the food vibrancy, boosts its colour and ultimately lets the diner experience our vision and identity."
Shop now >"We wanted to create something progressive that is newly presented and above all else authentic... Stick to something great, but completely new to what you'd expect!”
Nikhil Joshi, Farzi Café
Sipping Spiritual
Outshine at the Bar
What's dinner without the drinks? To stand out in London's busy bar scene, Farzi Café needed to aim for the stars – literally. Adopting an astrological theme, they developed 12 unique cocktails – one for each star sign, inspired by each of their astrological characteristics.
"In India, each star sign has an energy,” Nikhil explains. “And there are ingredients and spices that can calm them. It gave us the perfect opportunity to infuse these flavours into our cocktails, while also revealing an intriguing piece of Indian culture that our guests could discover!"
Served up in everything from elegantly shaped glasses and brass jugs to decadent chalices and more, each drink is recognisably different, with its own feel to match its distinct flavour. A booklet brings the concept to life, outlining the significance of each ingredient and how it relates to the star sign the drink represents. It’s a clever way of bringing a sense of theatre to Farzi’s drinks menu, not to mention a smart way of enticing their diners to try all 12 cocktails – though this is perhaps best done over multiple visits!
Shop now >Taste Forward
Inspire and evolve
As ever more adventurous diners drive the UK’s taste trends towards international flavours, Farzi exists at the perfect time – and place – to cook up something entirely new. Putting a British spin on authentic Asian flavours, it’s done just that.
"The freshness and quality of the ingredients we get in the UK allows us so much flexibility,” Nikhil says. “We're getting to play with and evolve our menu, and are continually inspired by others across the country who have formed their own unique styles."
It’s this commitment to keep an eye on the competition that allows Farzi to stay so fresh and forward thinking. But Nikhil also stresses the importance of building relationships with trusted suppliers to turn a flash of inspiration into a real, tangible thing – be it a new crockery collection or fresh furniture.
"It's helped us to keep an eye on the costs in our development,” says Nikhil. “Having strong links to our suppliers, who know our market, and absolutely knowing our guests' requirements is the way to deliver better service for the future!"
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