Gauri Khan's restaurant Torii has become a go-to spot for celebs. The Mumbai-based pan-Asian restaurant has been designed by interior designer Gauri Khan herself, who ventured into the restaurant business with this space, joining as one of its partners.
Located in the heart of Pali Hill, Torii (or Tori 2.0) greets visitors with an eye-catching dark green statement door. Inside, the 82-seat restaurant spans 4,500 sq ft and is divided into three distinct areas: a lounge next to a grand island bar, a spacious al fresco dining section featuring lush greenery and large mirrors, perfect for larger groups, and a sleek indoor dining space with chic red tables, distressed mirrored ceilings, and elegant bronze accents.
In a post on Instagram, Gauri had shared her thoughts behind the restaurant’s food and décor.
“Once I began designing restaurants it got me thinking about how I could be more involved in this industry which I find exciting and innovative. With Torii, Abhayraj, Tanaaz and I wanted to create a sexy, sophisticated, and glamorous restaurant and bar where quality is seen in everything from the food to the drinks and of course, the design,” she wrote.
Curated by Chef Stefan Gadit, Torii’s menu is expansive. It is a bold mix of Mexican, Japanese, and Thai, so if you love a fusion of Latin and Asian food, you'll enjoy the dishes here!
You can also try traditional Japanese gems like a vibrant salmon tataki in citrusy ponzu alongside more playful creations—like the ‘jacket potato’, for instance. Many also rave about the Charred Broccoli and the Chicken Yakitori dishes from Torii's menu.
The cocktail menu is a mishmash, too, with drinks inspired by matcha, mango sticky rice and tom yum soup. The drinks are a perfect blend of traditional flavours and modern techniques.
With individual items ranging anywhere from ₹450 to ₹4700, the cost of an average meal here depends on what you order. Gauri’s restaurant is located at 21, Pali Hill Road, Union Park, Khar West, Mumbai. It’s open from 7 pm to 1 am from Tuesday to Sunday.
Apart from Gauri’s Torii, Mumbai has several other restaurants which have celebrity owners. Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s Bastian is among the most popular hangouts for stars, with many industry insiders often photographed outside the restaurant. Karan Johar’s Neuma is an exquisitely-decorated spot in Colaba. Of course, there’s also Virat Kohli’s One8 Commune, which also has branches in Delhi.
Who doesn’t love a celebrity-approved mix of glamour and good food, right?