When a young hospitality management student from a banking family arrived in Chandigarh, he could hardly have imagined that two and a half decades later, he would be launching an upscale restaurant in the same city. This remarkable journey has been a testament to his achievements, marked by a series of prestigious roles in high-end hotel kitchens across the nation, participation in the reality show MasterChef, authorship of culinary books, and involvement in renowned culinary events worldwide. Celebrity chef Kunal Kapur, who has maintained a connection with Chandigarh throughout the years, is now returning to the city with his latest venture, a pan-Indian restaurant named Pincode. Expressing his gratitude, he shares, “I feel very fortunate that life has come full circle. I hope Pincode here does fantastically well.”
On the eve of the restaurant’s grand opening, Kunal, dressed in a stylish powder-blue shirt, takes a moment to discuss his vision for Pincode. He explains that this marks the fourth location for the restaurant, which creatively uses the term “pincode” to signify not just a geographical area but a specific culinary experience. “Here, under one roof, we bring together a diversified Indian menu, and hence the name,” he elaborates. In a nod to nostalgia, Kunal notes that while Google Maps has made traditional pin codes somewhat obsolete, they evoke a sense of old-world charm that he aims to capture in his restaurant. The ambiance of Pincode reflects this ethos, featuring wooden and cane furniture, decor adorned with postal stamps, vintage cameras, and elegant chandeliers, all complemented by the fragrance of oriental lilies and fresh Rajnigandha. With Punjabi folk music playing softly in the background, the atmosphere is designed to be both warm and inviting, making it a perfect setting for diners to enjoy a rich tapestry of Indian flavors.
