Celebrating the Paths that Inspire and Lead us Home

Happiest Birthday to our flag bearer, Nalini Sadhu! Many years ago my mother announced her admiration for Chef Vikas Khanna and all that he does. She celebrated his achievements like a son. We weren’t happy off-course as my brother, hans and I saw an impossible path ahead to match his likeness of success.

I was blessed to be in New York last week to meet some of my coworkers that I have become close to. My father asked if I could go to Chef Vikas Khanna's, Bungalow Restaurant early in my trip and I tried booking through Resy - my cousin tried through Instagram but we failed and we gave up as it was not meant to be. At 8 PM in the office on my last night there, I got up and decided to walk to his restaurant. I walked for hours, with the belief that I will get somehow get in and understand what all the fuss is about.

At the door, garlanded with marigolds and green panels, the restaurant stood between a pizza place honoured by many celebrities and funeral place, grimly reminding me of how short life really is. My brother was in my ear and he pushed me to walk in. The restaurant, although chic, had that homely presence it promised. Something very positive was in the air, yet there was cautious fear to stay within the realm of what would define as fine dining. The hostess politely declined the opportunity to make a reservation but she saw the weariness in my eyes and miles I had walked and offered me the last seat at the bar. Carlos, the bartender, offered me the drinks and snacks menu - my only choices available. Being Kashmiri, i ordered a mezcal prepared with Kashmiri chillis and other spices. I ordered the Dahi Kabab, assuming that it would be the closest to being in Delhi.

The drinks were sublime, and the food captured in a refined manner its purpose - delhi winters.

Throughout I saw Chef Vikas making rounds to each table, hugging everyone who came to see him and celebrate him. I saw Prasad being fed to him, phone calls being made to significant others and photos being taken - and him in the middle always with the same ferver and appreciation. He was tired, you could see it but you couldn’t feel it. My cousin’s boyfriend joined me as well and we talked about quantum mechanics and the possibility of the multiverse, what a night!

A few drinks later, the restaurant was empty, we had paid our bills and saw people leaving happy, singing the old Bollywood melodies that were playing profusely in the background. We asked Carlos if we could meet him, he said with sheer pleasure - he is the first one in and the last one out - you don’t need to worry!

And, we were the last to see him. He was just ready to eat what one would presume was a scrappy chefs dinner. He got up and walked to us - hugged us and asked about us. I spoke about Matamaal, my mother’s adoration for him and that it was her birthday the next day. He spoke of Kashmiri Pandit cuisine, Matamaal, his experience of it through Poonam Kaul, a celebrated individual in her own right. He immediately offered to wish my mother through a video recording and then called her as well. They spoke about food, their dogs and what’s coming soon in their menu - Roath! My mother was elated with the unexpected well wisher! I pray that they do get meet each other in their journeys and talk as they did, acquaintances from the past.

I concluded my disdain for him that day - the entire construct that is called Bungalow was made a home through his warm presence. He tirelessly pursued his purpose aligned much to his soul and you could see this was one of his greatest challenges. He was true to himself and I could see the light that many like my mother saw in him that has paved the path to success. He was leading by example. He spoke of paying it forward by reaching out to my mother as SRK did. I left with clarity that once you connect and understand a purpose, you must commit to every moment of it. I could see why he is admired and I hope these words inspire you as well. As Bezos said on his visit the day after, “like a pilgrimage”.

By Mikhail Sadhu