COVID-19 tales: ‘October launch footfalls came as a pleasant surprise,’ says hospitality entrepreneur Vishal K

Vishal Karia, hospitality entrepreneur, who launched his first restaurant in Mumbai post lockdown, makes it to our list of 20 faces who defied fear and disease to follow their heart or duty and emerge 'the first'

Launched First Restaurant In Mumbai Post Lockdown

Vishal Karia, 45, Mumbai 
Hospitality entrepreneur, co-owner of resto-bar Epitome

Epitome was supposed to launch on March 19 last year, but the Coronavirus-induced lockdown derailed our plans. We postponed the opening to a later date, hoping that the lockdown would end in a matter of two months or so. It did not. When the curbs were finally eased and restaurants were allowed to operate eight months later, we jumped at the opportunity.  There was no point waiting further—October 5 is when we opened our doors to patrons.

Prior to this, a group of staff continued to stay at the restaurant, which thankfully is large. They didn’t have a place to go to in the lockdown and we didn’t want them to join the hordes of migrants whose plight was well documented. We asked them to spend those intervening months doing food trials at the venue. Which is why when we launched, we were fairly confident about our menu and what we are putting on the table. I was clear about our target audience: we wanted the crème de la crème. Because I belong to the Jain community, the food we offer at the lounge is strictly vegetarian.

I didn’t have great expectations about the turnout on day one. I thought a few tables would be occupied, and these guests—acquaintances and friends—would arrive out of courtesy. To our surprise, the footfalls were impressive. People were fed up of being cooped up at home. 

Despite the lull that Todi Mills in Lower Parel has seen since the 2017 Kamala Mills fire, I had my heart set on the location. The other notable establishments that once stood here had done phenomenally well. And I don’t see why we can’t do it again. If I’m not faring well, it’s because I’m going wrong somewhere and not because of the location. Todi Mills has always had great walk-ins. We now have a reason to have them back.

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