Harneet Baweja of Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants Gunpowder will launch his latest venture, Empire Empire in Notting Hill this June. Taking inspiration from the late 1970s Indian disco era, revellers will be welcomed to dine and dance the evening away. 

Located at 16 All Saints Road in Notting Hill, Empire Empire will have music and art at its heart. Fitted with a custom-made Marshall jukebox, Bollywood bangers will be the score to service; while the walls will be adorned with works by two of the 20th century’s most respected Indian artists, Jogen Chowdhury and Rabin Mondal - alongside vintage LP covers of records that epitomise India’s groovy ‘70s scene, such as the soundtrack to Disco Dancer, which features cuts from Bollywood disco pioneer Bappi Lahiri. 

The 40-cover restaurant will be lined with tables on one side, dressed with crisp white linen covered with paper cloths, reminiscent of India’s old-school curry houses. On the other side of the restaurant, guests will find a bar stocked with natural wines, beers and ciders from 40ft Brewery, alongside a concise selection of pre-batched cocktails and a considered wine list curated by Mattia Bianchi of Berber & Q and Carmel. 

The menu at Empire Empire is predominantly inspired by the northwestern cuisines stretching across the old Punjab Empire, from Bihar across to Afghanistan. Dishes such as the Lasooni Tangdi Kebab, Nizam Chicken Kebab and Bihari Boti Kebab will be made by slowly charring the meats over hot coals - some of which will then be combined with rich sauces, such as in the Chicken Malai Curry. Other main dishes and sharing plates will include vegetarian options like Malai Methi Matar, made with whole garden peas; and the showpiece signature of Lobster Dum Biryani - complete with the crustacean’s head emerging from the pastry lid. Marking a shift from Gunpowder, which seldom serves breads, Empire Empire will offer perfectly-prepared naans and roti, as well as rice as a classic accompaniment.

“When disco became big in India, my dad would put on his silk floral shirt and bell-bottoms and hit the town - often eating, drinking and dancing all under one roof. This is my personal inspiration for Empire Empire,” says founder Harneet Baweja. “We wanted to bring the golden age of Indian music, art and food together in one place - and hope this makes for a unique spot in Notting Hill.”