Michelin- starred chef Atul Kochhar’s Not Really India (NRI) restaurant concept is to make its UK debut at Birmingham’s Mailbox retail complex in September.
The new 5,125 sq ft site will be the brand’s first restaurant in the UK, following the original NRI restaurant in Mumbai. Located on Level 1 of the Mailbox, the restaurant designed by Zopsigog will have 180 covers.
Kochhar opened his first restaurant serving British fare, Hawkyns at the Crown Inn in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, in January. He also runs the Michelin-starred Benares in Mayfair; Sindhu at the Macdonald Complete Angler hotel in Marlow; Rang Mahal in Dubai; Lima in Mumbai; and Indian Essence in Petts Wood, south east London.
Leisure property agency Shelley Sandzer acted on behalf of real estate fund Brockton Capital and Milligan for the joint venture.
Lauren Wellman, leasing agent at Shelley Sandzer, said, “NRI by Atul Kochhar is yet another fantastic addition to the premium retail and dining mix at the Mailbox. The debut restaurant will enhance the Mailbox’s position on the map of exciting and unique locations out of London.”
Simon Samuels, partner at Brockton Capital, added: “Curating a high quality and eclectic dinning line-up has been a central goal for the Mailbox, so we are very excited to launch this UK debut with such an outstanding chef to sit alongside the Mailbox’s existing restaurants and bars.”
The Birmingham restaurant is set to open in September.
