If Mumbai had a ‘The place had been you noticed final weekend?’ corridor of fame, Bastian Bandra would simply prime the listing.
Bastian’s journey started in 2016, when chef Kelvin Cheung elevated the Bandra eatery to prominence with indulgent, creative menus that fused world flavours with visually interesting plating designed for Instagram.
The phrase unfold quickly, however the actual pleasure was exterior its doorways. As Tiger Shroff and Disha grew to become common patrons, their brunch outings on the restaurant rapidly changed into favourites for paparazzi.
What began as a handful of pictures quickly snowballed right into a phenomenon. Different Bollywood names adopted, cameras camped exterior completely, and earlier than lengthy, Bastian wasn’t only a restaurant—it had develop into a full-fledged superstar hotspot, the place being noticed mattered as a lot as what was on the plate.
The following essential milestone was reached when Shilpa Shetty joined as a co-owner in 2019.
Ranjit Bindra and Kunal Jani’s group launched the unique Bastian flagship in Bandra earlier in 2016. Below their watch, Bastian went from being a one-spot surprise to an increasing model.
The Bandra flagship remained probably the most photographed location, however new retailers quickly emerged, together with Bastian at The High in Dadar and coastal-inspired ideas resembling Bastian – The Seashore Membership in Juhu. Every spin-off retained the identical mix of indulgent menus, fashionable décor, and a contact of superstar attract, contributing to the model’s growth past its Bandra origins.
Amid an ongoing controversy, media stories allege that Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra are accused of defrauding traders of over Rs 60 crore between 2015 and 2023—prompting hypothesis that authorized troubles could have influenced the choice to shut.
Shetty, nonetheless, gives a special perspective. In a heartfelt Instagram put up, she calls the shutdown “the top of an period”, writing: “This Thursday marks the top of an period as we bid farewell to one in all Mumbai’s most iconic locations—Bastian Bandra. A venue that gave us numerous recollections, unforgettable nights, and moments that formed the town’s nightlife now takes its ultimate bow.”
What’s subsequent for the area?
The void won’t stay empty for lengthy. Ranjit Bindra, the founder and CEO of Bastian Hospitality, has introduced that the Bandra location will likely be remodeled into a brand new restaurant named Ammakai, which is able to characteristic a speciality South Indian idea and is ready to open in mid-October.
“Bandra was our starting, and whereas that chapter closes, two new tales are ready to be written,” says his Instagram put up.
He explains that Ammakai—which means “the mom’s hand”—will honour the depth of South Indian culinary traditions, “recipes steeped in heritage, enriched with regional flavours, and delivered to life with the impeccable service and high quality synonymous with the Bastian title”.
The announcement cheekily addresses the gossip, too. “When you’re working onerous on the ‘hearsay mill’, at the moment at Bastian we’re serving ‘the actual tea’,” the model’s Instagram put up reads.
The model expands past Bandra
Whilst Bandra closes, Bastian is increasing elsewhere. A brand new coastal outpost, Bastian Seashore Membership, is ready to open in Juhu, promising to seize the model’s “power of indulgence and celebration”.
Bindra sums it up in a observe: “Bandra was the place Bastian’s journey started, and it’ll all the time stay near us. As we evolve, it feels proper to honour the depth of South Indian delicacies by way of Ammakai, whereas additionally bringing the power and indulgence of Bastian to Juhu in a contemporary new manner.”
A chapter closes; Bandra evolves
For regulars, the lack of Bastian Bandra is bittersweet — a reminder of how rapidly Mumbai’s eating scene reinvents itself. From Benne to Uppu to Goldie, Bandra is not any stranger to South Indian delicacies. However with Ammakai transferring in, the neighbourhood is ready for yet one more culinary experiment.
If something, the story of Bastian Bandra displays the lifecycle of Mumbai’s hotspots: they rise, they reign, they usually ultimately make manner for the subsequent large factor. And in true Bollywood trend, this ending comes with not one however two sequels already within the works.
Written with the View : afaqs
