Tamarind Of London Names General Manager

Sept. 29, 2011 - PRLog -- Maneesh Rawat has been handed the reins as general manager of Tamarind of London, an eagerly anticipated restaurant that will open in Newport Beach, Calif. in early November.  Rawat has managed many fine Indian restaurants in the U.S. and India and will draw upon this vast pool of experience to replicate the success of Tamarind of London’s Michelin-honored sister restaurant in the UK.  He will guide the opening of the new restaurant and in doing so will introduce a new take on upscale casual Indian dining to the American public.

Rawat realized very early in life that his true calling was in the hospitality industry and he wasted no time following his dream. After graduating from Mangalore University’s Institute of Professional Science and Management he honed his restaurant management skills at some of the finest hotels in New Delhi, including the Hotel Intercontinental and the Taj Palace Hotel where he often served heads of state including Bill Clinton, Vladimir Putin and Tony Blair. Rawat went on to earn an MBA in hospitality administration from Johnson & Wales University.

Other upscale Indian establishments Rawat has brought notoriety to include The Bombay Club in Washington, D.C. and Junnoon in Palo Alto, CA which was named one of the “20 Best New Restaurants Nationwide.”  Most recently, the San Francisco Chronicle selected Amber India as one of the top 100 restaurants in the Bay Area while under his watch.

“Mr. Rawat has brought incredible success to every establishment he has managed, and I’m confident Tamarind of London will flourish under his passion, vision and strong leadership,” said Randy Hiatt, whose company, Fessel International, has been entrusted to introduce Tamarind of London to the U.S.

“I'm delighted to join the team behind this illustrious restaurant opening," said Rawat. "It is an honor to accept this position and I look forward to helping propel Tamarind of London to great heights.

"I believe that a great meal goes beyond food, wine and service," he continued.  "It is an emotional experience that bonds guest and restaurant forever.  At Tamarind of London, our goal will be to create that extraordinary experience.”

Tamarind of London will build on the success of its Michelin-honored predecessor with its unique blend of Indian cuisine and crossover dishes that take advantage of the West Coast’s fresh produce, seafood, poultry and lamb. The $3 million restaurant is set in a warm and sophisticated environment as conceived by award-winning Steven Langford Architects and is located in the chic Crystal Cove Promenade at 7862 East Coast Hwy, Newport Beach; 949-415-8865; www.tamarindoflondon.com.