Tamasha Modern Indian opened in February 2024 near Cucciolo Terrazza + Woodhouse Spa in North Hills with all the trimmings of an upscale dining experience. The restaurant is headed by entrepreneurial co-owners Mike Kathrani and Tina Vora who brought on Chef Bhavin Chhatwani to bring a variety of Indian cuisines and flavors to Raleigh.

"It's Indian food through my eyes, the way I see it, the way I perceive it," Chhatwani told RALtoday. Because of the diversity of Indian cuisines — you might find two distinct cooking styles just 50 miles apart in India — Chhatwani said he doesn't want to limit himself to just one type of Indian food.

The restaurant executes a flavorful + balanced menu with features like fried oysters, lamb shanks, and additional unique dishes playing with Indian flavors.

Chhatwani shared that Indian food is all about balance, and it's a misconception that all Indian dishes are hot and spicy. With a sizable collection of spices in the restaurant's repertoire, Kathrani said he wants to create a page on Tamasha's website explaining each spice for unfamiliar diners.

Chhatwani is no newcomer to the culinary scene — he has worked in restaurants + hotels all across India before bringing his talents to the US. Notably, Chhatwani has worked at two Michelin-starred restaurants, one of which is Taj Campton Place in San Francisco, the only Indian-influenced restaurant in the US to have earned this honor.

Every dining detail has been thoughtfully considered by the Tamasha team, including the private dining room complete with shelving for wine. | Rendering provided by Tamasha Modern Indian

In addition to choice fare prepared by a world-class chef, the space is luxurious and thoughtfully designed by co-owner Vora. The intimate space is decorated with comfortable velvet seats at marble tables, glimmering gold hanging features, and a huge wall of wine in the private dining room with a large dining table made from a single piece of wood.

According to Kathrani, no aspect of the dining experience is going unnoticed, with dry ice enhanced cocktails, a top-notch wine program, specialty tasting menus, and complimentary high-end water.

Chhatwani, Kathrani, and Vora are ready for their grand performance — the meaning of the word Tamasha — for a singular Indian dining experience in the Triangle.