Kanishka was one of the great emperors of the Kushan dynasty – celebrated for his political, military and spiritual feats – and something of his spirit lives on at Atul Kochhar’s new Maddox Street flagship in the borderland between Mayfair and Soho.
Spread across two floors, the restaurant is a handsome and flexible space. While its obvious foodie credentials points to intimate private dining, the setting also lends itself to larger parties of, say, 80 to 140 people. Parties on this scale take advantage of the downstairs space, where plentiful natural daylight is afforded by a garden terrace, and where drinks and canapés can be served prior to moving upstairs for dinner and dancing.
Equally the ‘Garden Room', as its known, has its own bar and can be taken separately for dinners for a small number, say 10-20, or a stand-up canapé reception for 60 plus.
Food comes from Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar (ex Tamarind and Benares), and fans will know that the chef specialises in bringing drama and deliciousness to the ordinary, but here there are plenty of extraordinary dishes and top-end ingredients to inveigle the palate too – think scallops, soft-shell crab, lamb, seabass and venison. The biggest surprise may be the generously priced tasting menu at Kanishka but there are plentiful other menu options for parties, from a £25/£30 set to more lavish offerings at £45 and £68 respecively. All come with instagrammable presentation and flavour hits that will impress even the most fastidious guest.
A dedicated events team is on hand to ensure both the planning and the event itself goes like clockwork. This is, after all, a smart and tastefully done restaurant that fits its location with imperial precision.