Ambica Jain to Bring Royal Indian Dining to Bay Street
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
The restaurateur behind Adrak is expanding her footprint with Raani, a high-concept space inspired by India's royal courts.
Ambica Jain, the restaurateur known for the Michelin-recommended Adrak, is preparing to launch a new Toronto establishment called Raani, according to BlogTO.
Located at 360 Bay St., the restaurant's name translates to "queen" in Sanskrit and Hindi. BlogTO reports that the concept draws inspiration from the recipes and royal courts of 18th- and 19th-century India. Rather than focusing on reinvention, Jain intends to prioritize authenticity by utilizing classic recipes, flavors, and techniques from various Indian regions.
The physical space reflects this royal theme across two floors with a total of 162 seats. BlogTO describes the interior as featuring velvet seating in olive green and maroon, patterned carpets, and gold arches above the bar. Jain specifically noted the feminine aesthetic of the design as a point of distinction, given her role as a female leader in a male-dominated industry operating in a neighborhood characterized by male-dominated sectors.
For private functions, the venue includes an underground event space that retains the original vault from the building's previous tenure as a bank. While a specific opening date has not been disclosed, BlogTO indicates that Raani is expected to open this summer.