An Indian restaurant has opened on a full-time basis in Marlow.

Vaasu, which is owned by two-time Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar, officially opened its doors on Monday, October 26, with the restaurant now taking in customers for sit-ins, after three months of delivering takeaways.

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Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed the lives of more than 45,000 people in the UK, those at the restaurant have had to adapt to challenging circumstances, which saw the summer launch for their opening be postponed.

This led them to do takeaways to those in the Marlow area, as well as the surrounding villages.

The Chapel Street-based eatery replaces the former Italian restaurant Villa D’Este, which closed its doors after 33 years in September 2019.

Following the opening, Atul said: “People have been asking me, why open a restaurant now during the pandemic?

“The answer is that the whole team has been excited about this launch, since we first acquired the site which used the be Villa D’Este for 33 years.

“We have invested time, money, and creativity into this new restaurant and although it’s a long-term investment, we feel that now is the right time to open our doors”.

The menu will showcase north Indian cuisine and will include dishes like Jhinga Tawa Masala (prawns pan-fried with ajwain, onions and peppers), chicken including Nawabi Murg Korma (a tikka dish with a cashew-cardamom sauce), and lamb such as Lasooni Saag Gosht.

READ MORE: Atul Kochhar's new Indian restaurant to open in Marlow

He continues: “I'm passionate about gastronomic discovery and while we cannot travel and explore the world at the moment, we will bring the bounty of India’s beautiful flavours, aromas and spices to our guests.

“Vaasu celebrates the life and culture of India through a menu of magnificent dishes from India.

“I’m inspired by traditional cooking techniques like the tandoor oven and tawa griddle.

“With the current travel restrictions, there has never been a more important time to take our guests on a gastronomic journey."

The restaurant was designed by interior design company Dynargh Design, which has bases in London and Cornwall.

Matt Hulme from Dynargh Design, said: “I am very proud to be working with Atul Kochhar on the design for Vaasu and creating a new experience for Marlow.

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“We all need little pleasures to look forward to and so we are working together to ensure that every detail is considered in order to create something very exciting for the town.

“The design of Vaasu has been conceived to invite guests into a plush and inviting interior with opulent green colours, creating a luxurious fine dining destination inspired by Atul’s most magnificent experiences in northern India.”

For more information, call 01494 728126.