Chef Rajiv Chopra adds new concept in Northern Virginia
Bombay Velvet is set to open April 15 at Reston Town Center. Chef Rajiv Chopra adds a new, Indian concept with 2,500 square feet of space to the Northern Virginia region. Expect to see the recipes play up Indian history and imported flavors from the Mughals, Turks, Persians, Afghans, French, Portuguese, Armenians and the British, who played a significant part. With hints of global influence, dishes that pay tribute to the cuisines and traditions of the North, South, West, East and coastal regions of India will be served in upscale, elegant crockery.
The menu is meant to be strong on flavor and a canvas of India’s rich history.
Bombay Velvet’s interior has been imagined by Shivani Chopra and Andy Dan, drawing from inspiration from India of the 1970’s. The team was inspired to bring a mix of India of the 1970’s, America of the 1930’s and modern cues to establish a modern-meets-classic look. The restaurant at Reston Town Center will seat 100 guests. A total of 22 indoor tables, three outdoor patio tables, eight barstools and one bar, will accommodate a good crowd. Bombay Velvet’s bar is adorned with lit onyx.
“At Bombay Velvet, we have explored the diverse and traditional Indian regional cuisines with a new world approach,” said Chopra. “Our food presentation is very modern, cheerful and new age, and will be served in handpicked fancy and elegant crockery to match the richness, and flavors and reflect the colors of this great cuisine.”
The restaurant shared these dishes, which will become part of the Bombay Velvet menu at the time of opening: Smoky Pulled Chicken & Corn Chaat, Steamed Chokla with pickled mushroom pate and spiced tomato pesto, Lobster Malai Curry, Delhi Gourmet Butter Chicken Steak, and Seviya Nest with date & jaggery rabdi. Pair up the restaurant’s signature dishes with these craft cocktails:
- The creamy Thandai Colada is a creamy concoction of rose-infused vodka, almond milk, Thandai mix, fresh cream, pistachio slivers, dry rose petals, and cardamom pearls
- Bourbon whiskey, fenugreek and orange peel are combined and infused with barley water to create Dhuyaan, then infused with roasted coriander smoke
- Backwaters is a Tikki style drink, a retreat cocktail, featuring coconut water, jiggery, cumin spice and pineapple blended with dark rum.
Indian-imported wines, spirits and beers will also be available.
Bombay Velvet at Reston Town Center is the first fine-dining concept from Chopra outside of his Punjabi By Nature format, which operates in Chantilly, Leesburg and Vienna. “To date, Indian food has not made the impact on the American food pallet,” he added. “With Bombay Velvet, I want to amalgamate the experience of fine-dine and authenticity of Indian cuisine under one roof. We plan to expand very quickly with the same motive in the next two years.”
Bombay Velvet is open Monday to Thursday 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 midnight.
Bombay Velvet, 12120 Sunset Hills Road, Reston, Va. 20190
This story was last updated April 9, 2019. The opening time frame was updated per the restaurant’s publicist.
Photo credit: Bombay Velvet
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