Chef Tushar Tondvalkar has opened his first restaurant, Kavita, in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. The concept is described as a tribute to his Mumbai roots and coastal upbringing in Malvan, expressed through two seasonally changing menus.
Named after his mother, Kavita also means “poetry” in Marathi. The 46-seat restaurant will offer an à la carte menu based on India’s festival calendar, as well as amma-kase, a tasting menu inspired by the nurturing spirit of mothers.
“I’m excited to finally bring my dream restaurant into reality with Kavita and introduce Canadians to my interpretation of regional Indian cuisine,” said Tondvalkar.
“One of my earliest memories of food are of busy Mumbai streets, when they came alive with the sounds of metal ladles, bursts of chilli oil and fire, and the scent of frying and fermenting. I learned that food could be loud and generous, just like the city itself.”
The à la carte menu will evolve with Indian festivals such as Holi, Diwali, Onam and Eid, featuring ingredients and dishes that reflect the cultural and culinary diversity of the country. Early offerings include a Beef Tartare with podi masala, crispy curry leaf, egg yolk and tapioca crisp, and a Malvani Black Chickpea Stew with caramelized coconut and onion sauce, wade (fried bread), and seasonal vegetables.
The nine-course amma-kase tasting menu, priced at $98 per person before tax and gratuity, will shift with seasonal produce from British Columbia. Launch dishes include Bombay Vada with moth bean stew and beetroot chutney, Geoduck Clam with Malvani masala and kokum, Aged Duck with Kerala-style coconut curry and appam, and Shrikhand with black sesame cake and seasonal fruit.
“I’m honoured to have such a great team joining me on this adventure of opening a new restaurant in Vancouver,” said Tondvalkar. “In Indian culture, the kitchen is the heart of the home. This same spirit guides us as we work together to introduce guests to our contemporary interpretation of Indian cuisine.”
Kavita’s front-of-house operations will be led by general manager Yash Shah, a longtime friend of Tondvalkar and formerly of Autostrada. The beverage program will be overseen by wine director Nikhil Kumar, previously of The Victor, and bar manager Kabir Sehgal, formerly of Chupito.
Designed by Janks Design Group Inc., the 1,500-square-foot space includes an open kitchen and a chef’s table seating eight. The interiors combine sustainable materials, handcrafted details and eclectic finishes intended to reflect the restaurant’s modern take on Indian cuisine.
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