A new Indian bistro called The Crossing opened in Leeds this week – hot from Paris, where it was the first restaurant from the subcontinent to open in the famous Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann.
Founder Ankur Chakraborty was inspired to cook as a boy by his travels with his father, who worked for the Indian railways – the junctions where railways crossed were always teeming with regional food options.
Ankur has worked for British-based restaurateur Atul Kochhar and co-founded a restaurant company in the Middle East before launching The Crossing in Paris three years ago and a follow-up near Nice in January this year.
The new branch is in Chapel Allerton, north of the city centre, and the chef is very aware that “Leeds is a different proposition.
“Indian restaurants already belong to the fabric of British life, and diners here bring their own memories and expectations to the table. We respect that. There is no need to explain why Indian food matters in Britain. The more interesting conversation is about which parts of India are being represented, whose recipes have travelled and how a restaurant can feel contemporary while treating those recipes with care.
“Our menu follows particular routes through the country: street food, home cooking, regional dishes and recipes shaped by travel. Some preparations will be immediately familiar. Others may need a little unpacking. We prefer to let the food do most of the talking.”
The Crossing is at Regent’s Court in Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, with the food menu at half price until Monday 24 August.
