Chef Vicky Ratnani’s New Restaurant Is A Reflection Of His Extensive Travels

They say if you have a great idea brewing, it’s best to bring it to a boil—and that’s exactly what Chef Vicky Ratnani did. Before becoming a familiar face on television with his popular culinary shows, Ratnani served as the head chef aboard the Cunard luxury cruise liners, where he was exposed to the flavours and techniques of over 35 global cuisines. But he missed the adrenaline of running his own restaurant—a place where he could channel the wealth of experience he had gathered from his travels.

So, after an 11-year hiatus, he’s back with Omny Kitchen and Bar in Gurugram. This latest venture is where the chef truly comes into his own, crafting globally inspired dishes using locally sourced ingredients and Indian techniques. Ratnani likes to call it a “global brasserie”—casual yet chic—and we couldn’t agree more.

The World Is Your Playground

The brightly lit interiors of Omny Kitchen and Bar invite you to pause and take it all in because there’s plenty to absorb. The 76-cover restaurant with additional seating for 24 in the outdoor area features a huge bar and an expansive open cooking station, which immediately draws one’s attention. A bamboo installation on the ceiling, curling and curving with the contours of the space, is another eye-catching detail. A mural on the wall is shaped like a world map, referring to the restaurant’s global influence. One wall displays memorabilia and framed photographs from Ratnani's trips on the cruise liner, and a curved staircase leads to the DJ console.      

On A Flavour Roll

Just like the chef’s varied culinary experiences, the food at Omny Kitchen also finds inspiration from places far and wide. There’s an element of smoke, fire and coal-grilled charred flavours in most of the dishes, which adds a bit of drama to them. While there are global influences, the chef says that the DNA of his food remains Indian. We started with the Carpaccio of Buff where the tender texture of the meat was paired beautifully with balsamic jelly, onion jam, toasted pine nuts and a dollop of shaved parmesan foam on top. The Crudo of fresh Norwegian salmon, scallions and radishes served on in-house focaccia made for a delicious dish and was polished off almost as soon as it arrived on the table.

The Chicken Under a Brick was a juicy chunk of chicken with charred skin and melted garlic rosemary butter, adding a lovely aroma to the dish. Given that Ratnani also helms a gourmet burger brand, skipping the burgers here wasn’t an option. The Smashed Chicken Double Please did not disappoint, with juicy charred chicken patties, house pickles and his special burger sauce lending a spicy kick. There’s a section you don’t want to miss, and that is the one with all the Sindhi dishes, but with the aforementioned Vicky twist to them. The Millet and Barley Khichdi was comfort in a bowl served with a delicate yoghurt foam. The Butternut Squash Sai Bhaji with a garlicky aftertaste made for the perfect accompaniment with mini millet kokis. The dessert programme, crafted with Chef Vinesh Johnny, features signature favourites, such as the Tiramisu Baba au Rum and the fresh and seasonal Mango Falooda, with chia seeds and coconut pudding.

One Sip At A Time

Complementing the cuisine-agnostic menu are the drinks crafted by mixologist Varun Sudhakar, who found inspiration from Latin America, Asia and Europe. On the chef’s suggestion, we ordered the gin-based Green Caravan, where the bitterness of the gourd was balanced by the sweetness of fennel. Another refreshing cocktail was the tequila-based Land & Tropics, infused with pineapple, coriander and jalapeno—this one’s for those who like their drinks with some spice.    

ELLE Gourmet’s Verdict

Omny Kitchen’s best offerings are probably the Sindhi dishes, but the restaurant also offers enough variety to keep even the most adventurous diners intrigued. 

Address: Omny Kitchen, Ground Floor, Unit 3, Boulevard, Tower 1, Sector 58, Magnum Global Park, Gurugram - 122011
Contact for reservations: 8699277768
Price for two: INR 3,000 + taxes