Fitness freak Shah Rukh Khan has one food weakness, and it is his favourite. Gauri Khan's restaurant chef tells all
In the heart of Mumbai, Gauri Khan's upscale restaurant, Torii, has emerged as a favorite destination for the city's elite and Bollywood celebrities. Known for its sophisticated ambiance and eclectic menu, the establishment even made a notable appearance in the previous season of Netflix India's popular show Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives. Among its regular patrons is none other than superstar Shah Rukh Khan, whose frequent visits with his family add a glamorous touch to the restaurant's profile.Head Chef Stefan Gadit, who helms the kitchen at Torii, recently opened up in an interview with SCREEN magazine, offering a glimpse into the dining habits of the Khan family. According to him, Shah Rukh Khan often chooses the signature lamb chops, a dish that has clearly become a personal favorite."Shah Rukh Khan has enjoyed the lamb chops we serve here; that's his usual order,' he told the magazine.To maintain privacy and comfort, especially for high-profile guests like the Khans, the restaurant features a discreet private entrance, allowing them to arrive and leave without attracting attention. This level of consideration has made Torii a reliable retreat for the family. Chef Gadit shared that the Khans are frequent visitors, often stopping by to dine in person. On days when their schedule doesn't permit a visit, they regularly place delivery orders to enjoy the restaurant's offerings in the comfort of their home.The youngest in the family, AbRam, is said to be fond of the restaurant's sushi, a testament to the wide variety of Asian dishes Torii serves. Suhana Khan, Shah Rukh's daughter, has also dropped by several times, occasionally bringing along friends for casual meals. Shah Rukh, too, has been seen at the restaurant, usually in the company of Gauri and other family members. Notably, they even marked Pooja Dadlani's anniversary at the venue, further highlighting its significance in their personal celebrations.Gauri Khan, who is known for her design acumen and entrepreneurial ventures, plays an active role in the restaurant's operations. Chef Gadit emphasized that she often provides feedback and suggestions, contributing meaningfully to the restaurant's day-to-day decisions. There's a healthy, collaborative rapport between her and the management team, which has helped the business thrive.Interestingly, the chef recounted his initial reluctance to include Thai curry—Gauri's favorite dish—on the menu. He felt the dish was too common and widely available to feature at Torii. However, respecting her preferences, the team eventually added it as a dedication to her, underlining her influence on the menu curation.However, in April, Torii faced criticism when YouTuber Sarthak Sachdeva accused them of serving adulterated paneer. In his viral video, iodine was applied to paneer pieces, causing them to darken—a reaction he suggested indicated impurities. The restaurant swiftly responded, clarifying that the change in color was due to soy-based starch components in the dish and not a compromise on quality. They stood firm on the authenticity of their ingredients and reaffirmed their commitment to high standards.Torii continues to be a blend of celebrity charm, culinary finesse, and uncompromised quality—firmly held together by Gauri Khan's signature touch.
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Explaining this visual choice, he said, 'You have to bring out the meaning of the words, you have to bring out the language of the face, or the story on the face. So I think the face became a very important element; the stories are in the eyes. You have to dwell on that to be able to tell the story. You couldn't have had a quick, fast-paced film or too many movements. The movements are any way happening within the frame.' There is also a certain perception among audiences that Umrao Jaan was, even if subconsciously, inspired by Kamal Amrohi's Pakeezah. However, Ali denied any such influence, saying, 'I don't think Pakeezah had anything to do with this film. Because, you see, the character has a different look and feel. The film also has a different style. I don't think you'll find any frame where you feel it's inspired by Pakeezah. Except for the fact that this is a courtesan, and that was a courtesan. But that was a very commercial kind of treatment of the subject. In this, the treatment is very individualistic and abstract.' As the film gears up for a re-release, he shared how the entire cast and crew are planning to come together to watch the film with the audience, to live it all over again and witness its reception now. He also mentioned that the film might be best suited for OTT, as it's a reflective, mood-driven piece, ideal for personal, intimate viewing. But for now, he's glad it isn't on any platform, as that absence has created a thirst among audiences to see it again on the big screen. And as a filmmaker, what more could he ask for, 44 years after its release?
