Charred Broccoli to Yakiniku Lamb Chop: Indulge in umami flavours of Japanese cuisine at Gauri Khan’s Torii in Bandra

Torii distinguishes itself through its innovative approach to Japanese cuisine, combined with a seamless integration of cultural elements.

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 Hotels' 80-year-old legacy.

Since its inception, Torri has been serving Japanese cuisine enveloping a wide array of dishes on its specially crafted menu. The pan-Asain 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 Mumbai's 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. Co-founder Gauri Khan tells Mid-day.com, "With Torii, my partner Abhayraj Kohli and I wanted to create a sophisticated and glamorous restaurant and bar where quality is seen in everything - from the food to the drinks and of course, the design."

Torii co-founders and head chef. Co-founder Abhayraj Kohli (Left), Chef Stefan Gadit (Centre), Co-founder Gauri Khan (Right)

Torii 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 atmosphere.

Khan herself has designed the space with her creative flair. Speaking about her reason for venturing into the food industry, she tells us, "Once 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 life."

Adding to this, Khan's partner and co-founder, Abhayraj Kohli says, "As 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 restaurant."

He further informs, "With 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 price."

Why Torii is a must-try

This 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 Peruvian/Japanese (Nikkei cuisine), Indian and Lebanese cuisine tells us, "Asian cuisine is becoming popular due to its bold umami-packed flavours, perceived health benefits, and increased global exposure. It's 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 traditions."

On being asked what went into crafting the menu for Torii, Chef Gadit tells the writer, "My 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 restaurant."

He further adds, "I 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 essence."

As 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 must-try.

The 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 - 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 - ‘Chocolate' 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 Kushiyaki,

Torii's 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 chimichurri.

One 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 Pea.

A delectable selection of desserts at Torii offers options like Yuzu Mielle Feuille, Shibuya Toast and The Tropics.

One 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 writer's 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 life.

Timings: Monday to Sunday | 12 noon - 4 pm & 7 pm - 1 am

Venue: 21, Pali Hill Rd, Union Park, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052