People often forget that India is the seventh largest country in the world, so shoehorning Indian cuisine under one umbrella simplifies its complexity and range.
This is something restaurant owners Dipa and Joe are trying to counter with their newest addition to Chorleywood, The Bank. After “falling in love” with the listed building on Station Approach, the pair set off on their mission to bring authentic Indian cuisine to the village.
Speaking to Chorleywood news, Dipa said: “It was my partner Joe who had seen the building and instantly fell in love with it. We wanted to turn this beautiful building, which had been closed to the public for 70 years, into something special.”
The restaurant opened in September 2024, with general manager Anupam Seth joining the team in November, but the path hasn’t been smooth. Their introduction to the village was met with hesitation, including an appeal from the parish council following approval of their late-night licence.
However, since opening, the pair have continued to see an influx of customers.
In December, they received two awards at the Asian Curry Awards: Newcomer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement for executive chef Binod Baral. This is no surprise, as Binod has collected numerous accolades during his extensive career, and even managed a team of chefs catering at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Dipa admits that despite the concern, the “reception has been amazing”.
She added: “Most of all, we wanted to celebrate the breadth of Indian food. We wanted to show people that Indian food is full of fresh ingredients, and dishes which are often vegan and gluten-free.
“We look forward to the new and exciting changes to the menu in 2025.”
Photo credit: The Bank
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