Chef Manu Chandra is known for introducing many firsts to India. He is credited for launching the first gastropub; bringing the global sensation open-faced bao; making Asian dining trendy; reviving India’s romance with gin; and celebrating India’s biodiversity by championing local produce in progressive ways.

He is not only a trendsetter, but also a champion of ‘homegrown’. Exiting the Olive Group after more than 17 years in 2021, he started Manu Chandra Ventures with Single Thread - the bespoke catering company – in mid-2022. In less than 10 months, they have curated several unique F&B experiences in Bengaluru and across India, along with catering at the India Pavilion in Cannes, and more recently, at a private catering assignment at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January.

Now, he has launched Lupa, his first independent restaurant in partnership with hospitality veteran Chetan Rampal. Indian Retailer caught up with the culinary genius. Excerpts from the interaction:

Tell us about Lupa. How is different from other restaurants?

With Lupa, we are trying to put the hospitality and the generosity back into restaurants. We are taking the learnings of the past and creating an elevated experience of our patrons and guests. I don't feel that we need to constantly create something ‘new’ all the time, because there's too much ‘newness’, which has turned pretentious. There’s no soul left in food or in hospitality. It has become more like pushing some kind of intellectual agenda in food rather than focusing on making sure that your customer is happy. With Lupa, we want to focus on customer and create an everlasting experience.

What was the idea behind designing the restaurant into different sections?

We divided the space into beautiful areas so we could give everyone the opportunity to use each space in a different way. In this way the restaurant is able to cater to different moods, seating capacity and occasion. We have a lot of customers who are coming repeatedly to experience the different zones, and having a novel experience each time. Lupa offers flexibility depending on the utilization of each area.

What has been the response so far?

It's been very good. I think we are on track and will be able to achieve the targets of the business plan, which we had foreseen for this space. Not only has there been a lot of curiosity, but also there's repeat footfall, which means we created our loyal patrons who want to visit over and over again.

What are the challenges of running a fine dining restaurant?

I think manpower is definitely a huge challenge. Then there is the client. We are still in an industry that doesn't have a single window clearance and therefore there is are lot of difficulties for setting up a business. There are many agencies at play here, and there is always an issue of supply chain and consistency.

You are also running a bespoke catering business. Tell us about that experience.

I think there was a gap in the market and the type of offering that we create and engineer with Single Thread has worked extremely well in filling that gap. There is a huge aspiration in the market to try newer things – to be a little more experimental and playful. And I think we are able to pull that off extremely effectively. We have a great infrastructure and team that specifically addresses this need. It has been a great experience so far, and the market is yet to be untapped.

Can we see more restaurants opening under Manu Chadra Ventures?

Well, that’s the hope but we are not in any tearing rush as this is a large project. We need to establish Lupa firmly as we’re only operational for dinner right now and haven't even touched upon lunch.

Trends that you foresee.

I think customer centric spaces are making a return. A lot of pretentious dining will go away and people who support such spaces will also change. There will be a return to good old hospitality, and sustainability, responsible and mindful eating will define the movement of the future.

Tips for young restaurateurs?

Believe in yourself. Don't listen to the critics.