Award-winning restaurant, Farzi Cafe, is now open at Bellevue Square. The modern Indian Bistro is located along Bellevue Way Northeast. This is the first location to open in the United States and its eleventh international restaurant.
The Farzi Café concept launched in 2014, by Zorawar Kalra, who is also known as “The Prince of Indian Cuisine”. Kalra has acted as a judge on Master Chef India and is recognized as one of the most successful restauranteurs emanating from India, amongst many other accolades.
The Bellevue location of Farzi Café is being opened with local franchise partners Amit Upadhyay, a local tech leader with real estate interests, Indian restaurants, hotel holdings and children’s entertainment centers among his other businesses, and Dhiraj Singh, who is a technology professional and also associated with other Indian restaurants and Fashion Outlet.
“We are thrilled to partner with the biggest and most acclaimed Indian cuisine brand Farzi Café and to launch at this prime, Bellevue Square at the Bellevue Collection location.”
From molecular gastronomy to traditional recipes with a modern twist, the menu offers a wide range of gourmet options for guests. All options also feature bold and and flavorful twists. The restaurant uses Indian spices and cooking techniques with items like dry aged steaks, short ribs, salmon, prawns, halibut, chicken, and lamb.
According to the press release, “cocktails mirror the showy presentation of the food and environment.”
Farzi Cafe in London was listed as a Michelin Guide Restaurant in 2019, which was less than one year of it having opened. Kalra is creating a global legacy, and continues with the first opening of a Farzi Cafe in the United States.
The space is being designed by Kirkland-based Sue Genty Interior Design, Inc. She has worked on multiple restaurant projects, including Daniel’s Broiler remodel and Adrian’s Mexican Restaurant. The interior is intended to be a lush, whimsical showcase.
This restaurant location was previously occupied by Moksha, a family-owned Karaikudi-style Indian cuisine. It closed in summer 2022 after first opening in 2012. In its prime, it had been voted a top restaurant by The Seattle Times.
Before Moksha, This restaurant space was occupied by Ristorante Luciano. The Italian restaurant was owned by Luciano Bardinelli who had been involved with multiple Seattle restaurants over the years.