"Until we meet again": Vineet Bhatia announces shock closure of his newly Michelin-starred Chelsea restaurant
The restaurant, which gained the accolade last Monday, announced the news on its website and social media accounts over the weekend.
The posts confirmed that on 8 October Bhatia and his wife Rashima completed their last service at the high-end Indian that they have occupied since 2004.
A Twitter post from Bhatia read “VBL needs to move out for a fresh start”.
“Vineet Bhatia thanks all its patrons and guests for the support and encouragement received. It has been a wonderful journey and until we meet again”
No explanation has been given for the shock closure, but the restaurant is understood to be relocating.
When asked why the restaurant was closing, Bhatia’s response was “Only way is forward”.
Born in Mumbai, Bhatia first won a Michelin star in 2001, for Zaika, a restaurant he opened in 1999.
After being awarded the Michelin star on Monday, he said: “It’s very important for us, I’m chuffed for my family and the team. It’s the dream!”
In 2004 he opened Rasoi in Chelsea, which was reinvented as Vineet Bhatia London (VBL) last year.
Bhatia operates eight other restaurants including Rasoi By Vineet, Geneva; Rasoi By Vineet, Bahrain; Amari By Vineet, Mauritius; Indego By Vineet, Dubai; Maharaja by Vineet, Saudi Arabia; Saffron Lounge By Vineet, Qatar; Maharaja By Vineet, Riyadh; and Ziya, Mumbai.
