TORONTO — The Kettle in Toronto has revealed its new menu alongside a recent renovation. Founded in 2022 by Sana Khan and Faiz Shaikh — two friends who bonded as students at George Brown College while in the Culinary Management and Hospitality and Tourism Management programs — the restaurant re-interprets Indian cuisine by integrating the chefs’ experiences from their travels abroad, culinary expertise and personal food experiences in Canada.
The menu features gluten-free, vegan and nut-friendly options. Signature dishes include halal butter chicken made from free-range Ontario poultry and Atlantic sea bass infused with coconut flavours.
The chefs have introduced several new dishes. Among the highlights is the Malai Broccoli appetizer, which is coated in a cashew cream cheese sauce and topped with beetroot tuiles; gluten-free Okra Fries made with chickpea flour and seasoned chaat masala, and served with tangy tamarind and date chutney; and the Dahi Puri appetizer, elevated with a yogurt mousse and beetroot pearls on top and filled with potato, onions and homemade tamarind and mint chutneys.
As part of its commitment to an inclusive menu, the Vegan Butter Chicken features cauliflower roasted in a tandoor, a traditional cylindrical oven made out of clay, and bathed in a creamy coconut sauce. The Tandoori Pumpkin Curry, inspired by chef Khan’s trip to India’s southern region, Bangalore, blends a coconut and lime base with tangy tamarind.
The Kettle’s cocktail program is led by Shaikh. Best sellers, such as the Mango Sour Dream, Mango Lassi Vodka and Masala Mojito, remain on the new menu.
For dessert, The Kettle offers a twist on classic bread pudding, topped with ice cream and maple syrup.
“This dessert is inspired by my time working alongside chef Ryan Lister, a British chef from Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants, who loved bread pudding,” says Shaikh.
The 50-seat restaurant features traditional Indian keepsake objects placed alongside modern, geometric designs and colours. The restaurant’s name stems from Khan’s childhood memories, where her mother would hand-paint old-time kettles, pots and glasses. These hand-painted kettles are displayed throughout the restaurant.
