Rohit Khattar and his pursuit of perfection

Credited with creating the world’s most admired Indian restaurant brand, Rohit Khattar’s passion for hoteliering has stood the test of time

It’s funny how you sometimes underestimate the influence and achievements of your old friends. I have known Rohit Khattar for over two decades now. We were introduced in the 1990s by my old school and college friend, Arvind Sethi. Rohit had just returned to India after hotel school in America and planned to open a theme restaurant at the Hotel Broadway on Delhi’s Asaf Ali Road, owned by his family.

After running a Mediterranean menu at Delhi’s Manor hotel, Rohit Khattar decided to open the modern Indian restaurant, Indian Accent, in that space

Deciding to live dangerously, Rohit Khattar has opened Indian Accent in New York, the world’s most competitive restaurant city

Filmmaker Ismail Merchant treated Chor Bizarre, London, as his office

Meetha Achaar spare ribs with sun-dried mango and toasted kalonji seeds at Indian Accent, New Delhi (Amit Pasricha)

Rohit Khattar spent seven months overseeing the opening of Indian Accent in New York