Signs have popped up on the windows of Indian-Canadian restaurant Aravind (596 Danforth Ave., at Pape) stating that a Nepalese restaurant called Namaste Nepal Restaurant & Bar is coming soon to the space. Aravind—named after owner Aravind Kozhikott, who previously worked under Marc Thuet—opened in winter 2010 and garnered much acclaim thanks to Kozhikott’s father, Raj, who ran the kitchen serving up Keralan dishes with Canadian twists. (Think Lake Huron pickerel with masala.) The duo also transformed a Big Mac value meal into samosas for The Grid‘s second issue.
It’s unclear whether the restaurant is gone for good, if Aravind will reopen elsewhere, or if the Kozhikotts are involved with the incoming restaurant. Messages have been left with restaurant and the chef, and this article will be updated when we hear back.
UPDATE, JAN. 17, 2012: Chef Raj Kozhikott says the space was sold to new owners (the deal was closed just last week) but confirmed this isn’t the last of Aravind.
“Most of our clients were from the west side and outside of Greektown, so we thought it would be a good idea to move,” he says, adding that they are now looking for a spot in the city’s west end. “We got someone interested in the space so we took that opportunity.” He says that while business was good, it didn’t make sense to stay there, but that hopefully in a few months they’ll be back up and running in a new spot.
—Karon Liu
