He left India in his early twenties, "My parents wanted me to follow medicine but I don't think I had the smarts for it. Instead I followed my heart into the kitchen," states Bajaj. He has worked in Sydney and London at the Bombay Brasserie to finally settle down in the United Stated. "I moved more than thirty years ago and this is home now," he adds.
The Bombay Club was his first restaurant in Washington in 1989 when he was only in his twenties. The restaurant was very successful and it had more than half a dozen celebrities visiting regularly and dining there. "We had Bill Clinton dine here through his presidency and celebrate his anniversary and his daughter's birthday. George Bush Senior is also patron and visited the Bombay Club. President Obama and Nelson Mandela have dined here along with other noted personalities, so I truly feel blessed and humbled."
Despite it's success the restaurateur didn't open a second Indian restaurant, it took him 16 years' top open Rasika which won the James Beard award in 2014. "My restaurants include Bibiana, Nopa Kitchen + Bar, [8] 701, The Oval Room, Ardeo + Bardeo, and Bindaas. He opened the latter in 2016 with chef Sunderam, in addition to Rasika which has two locations now. I opened Rasika with chef Vikram Sunderam (we worked together in London for many years) who is integral to its success," adds Bajaj, who is known as one of the most successful restaurateurs in Washington D.C.
Bajaj says there is shift in the dining scene and he can see how Americans are turning to more chic casual dining. "Bombay Club was strictly formal, Rasika is more approachable, it reflects the change in the way people dine out. Even when it comes to Indian food it's no longer curry like in the old days; with travelling and the tech industry the focus is now on modern Indian cuisine. We have kept the integrity of the prices, but we changed how we prepare the food. The menu also reflects Indian culture with sharing plates, its not all course wise," adds the 2013 Restaurateur of the Year, Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington recipient.
He must be doing something right as Mick Jagger dines there with his band and it's the only Indian 4-star restaurant in the country. "People now know how to order Indian food and Ind often wine and dine co-workers; so the American palette has developed a taste for Indian food. Its popularity is growing" he adds.
Does the restaurateur want to open an outfit in India? "I have eleven restaurants in DC they keep me busy, it's best to open restaurants where you live so you can take care of them. My goal is to stay put in Washington. I haven't been to India in a few years but I liked Varq, a lot people say Bukhara is overrated but I think it is one of India's best restaurants. There's also Masala Art in Bombay and Trishna, so there's no need for me as Ind are well taken care of" states Bajaj.
( With inputs from IANS )