Chef Avishar Barua Opens His A lot-Anticipated Reside Fireplace Restaurant Agni

Following carefully on the heels of opening his Worthington spot Joya’s Cafe, chef Avishar Barua debuts his newest restaurant Agni this week! Named for the Hindu god of fireplace, Agni is centered round live-fire cooking, which suggests numerous smoking, grilling, and in any other case enjoyable with fireplace.

Agni takes up residence within the former South Excessive Road house of Ambrose & Eve, which sadly closed through the pandemic. The constructing has been given a transform that retains the identical basic format and homey touches of the earlier tenant.

All all through you’ll discover nods to Avishar’s Bengali and Midwestern heritage, imbued with the sense of playfulness that comes by way of in his cooking.

The beverage menu options wines by the glass and bottle and a set of cocktails which are enjoyable updates to basic libations. Pictured listed below are the Cubra Libre and Jack + Coke.

The Jack + Coke, for example, takes its two namesake substances and provides in a little bit of tamarind and a contact of smoke.

I’m not going to explain the whole lot that’s on the menu, as a result of it is going to absolutely change over time. Nevertheless it’s at the moment structured as a tasting menu. Every spot in your reservation will get a number of programs, with little surprises and additions alongside the way in which.

However suffice it to say that we love consuming Avishar’s meals, from his adventures way back at Veritas in Delaware to his time main the kitchen at Service Bar, to Joya’s Cafe, which we’ve to actively resist visiting daily.

Through the family and friends preview, we managed to say hello to the chef, who kindly risked scorching himself by posing in entrance of the new grill.

Reside-fire cooking like that is taking off in Columbus, with locations like FYR on the Hilton Tower, Nomad at Polaris, and the forthcoming Hiraeth from the house owners of Chapman’s. These specialised grills include moveable cabinets so cooks can smoke, sear, grill, and extra.

Agni includes a small chef’s desk that faces the grill. It’ll absolutely be a tough seat to e-book, though be suggested that the grill places off a variety of warmth.

As you stroll down the hallway to the again of the restaurant (and also you completely ought to try the murals within the loos), you’ll see down into the kitchen.

Once more, I received’t describe the whole lot right here, however you may relaxation assured there’s a lot to experience, with dishes that begin out acquainted however take stunning or creative turns.

And naturally you’ll discover with some wonderful dessert that pulls on acquainted flavors if you already know Avishar.

I’m certain you may inform that even after one go to, we wholeheartedly suggest Agni. We’ve lengthy been followers of Avishar, so it was a simple promote, however after years of knocking it out of the park at native eating places, representing Columbus proudly on Prime Chef, doing wonderful stuff at Joya’s – he’s actually coming into his personal, and Columbus eating is all the higher for it.

(And in case you’ve by no means been to Joya’s, you may examine it right here, after which it’s worthwhile to go to for a kati roll or fried rice or tacky double crunch or breakfast sandwich or all of it!)

Agni is at the moment open Wednesdays by way of Sundays, 5-11 p.m. Reservations will be booked by way of their website: dineatagni.com/reservations

Agni
716 S. Excessive St.
Columbus, OH 43206
Net: dineatagni.com
IG: @dineatagni