Following on from a chat with Charan Gill, we have more details about his new Slumdog venture on Sauchiehall Street.
As the former owner of the massive Ashoka brand of Indian restaurants, it is no great shocker that his latest place takes its cue from the subcontinent. What might be more surprising is that the entrepreneur sees Slumdog, which is scheduled to open in October, operating as a bar as much as a restaurant.
The clue is in the full name of the place which is Slumdog bar and kitchen. There is a much more comprehensive drinks list at Slumdog than in most other Indian food outlets. As well as Indian wine alongside more familiar Aussie and Spanish bottles, there is a seventeen strong cocktail list. Devised by Barnomadics, it features choices such as the Mumbai Riots which is made from Ballantines whisky shaken with Martel Noblige cognac, star Anise infused syrup, sweet pomegranate and aromatic bitters.
The kitchen will run two menus. The main one, which will run for the majority of the all day opening hours, goes big on street food with samosas, mini kebabs and spiced chicken wings competing for attention with more substantial curries.
However, Mr Gill’s pride and joy is his Slumdog Soiree concept which will, at least initially, run from Thursday to Saturday night. Comparing it to an Indian banquet or wedding where the dishes just keep coming, the Soirees will be a complete evening’s entertainment anchored on a £21.95 set menu. A DJ playing chart, hip hop and bhangra will encourage guests to hit the dancefloor after their meal and work off some of that Lahori lamb karahi.
The Slumdog concept looks as though it might have been designed to roll out but its creator is being cautious. For the time being, anyway.
‘If the first one is successful then it is difficult not to do more,’ reckons Gill, ‘but let’s get this right first. I don’t want to look too far ahead.’