Congratulations to Indian by Nature
It is strange to think that back in 1900, the Michelin Guide was introduced as just a travel guide for motorists. Yet over the years, it has evolved to become the prestigious restaurant and hotel rating system that we know today. While still keeping its connection with motorists (it is published by the French tyre company Michelin), the guide is now considered a global benchmark for culinary excellence.
The very best fine dining establishments can earn up to three Michelin stars, with its anonymous inspectors evaluating establishments based on criteria like quality, technique, consistency, and creativity. A mention (Plate) in the Michelin Guide indicates that the restaurant offers good food and is worth visiting. This is a tremendous accolade for any establishment because of how highly influential it is worldwide. Bangkok is no stranger to inclusion in the guide but only this year The Michelin Guide Thailand announced its intention to extend its reach to the Chon Buri province.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, revealed: “Chon Buri has enough to keep travellers occupied during their stays – from beautiful beaches, peaceful temples, local cultural performances, varied festival activities to diverse eateries, stalls, and even a fascinating nightlife. The fresh seafood, unique local delicacies, and beachfront dining experiences are also among other great features. All these shape Chon Buri into a lively tourist destination. Our inspection team can’t wait to explore its gastronomic scene!” Therefore I was delighted to read an announcement stating: IBN has just been listed in MICHELIN Guide 2025! Michelin have just launched the guide for Chonburi for the first time this year and we’re pleased to have made the inaugural list! Since opening, we have been lauded as one of ten restaurants in all of Thailand with the Travelers’s Choice award and been selected as a member of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs…but certainly this one is the most poignant! An accolade for our founder Av Khanijou and her entire team!
For along with many others
in Pattaya, I believe this must be a bitter/sweet experience for one of our favourite restaurant families here. Sadly Av didn’t live to see this honour. This remarkable lady whose husband Jack touchingly referred to as “The Founder, The Owner, The very Soul of Indian by Nature” when he spoke to me about her recently, would I am sure have been very proud.
Jack went on to say “The restaurant was custom built for her. It was my promise as a tribute to her talent. She was trained by the revered chef Savitri Bhatia in India and went on to hone her skills in the creations of desserts and baking with Rosemarie Straubhaar in Bern, Switzerland.” Av was also a celebrated ‘Dame de Rôtisserie’, having been honoured by the ‘Chaine des Rôtisseurs’.
Av knew exactly where she wanted to position her Indian restaurant. “It had to be fine dining. That’s our style. We want to be at the top. When you do anything, you have to do it with passion. The menu is 100 percent my work.”
For me, my memories of Av will not simply be about the wonderful food I enjoyed at Indian by Nature but also about how graciously she hosted the special events we very much enjoyed there. A wonderful evening with Sitar playing accompanying a lavish buffet, charity events with proceeds going to the Queen Sirikit Foundation, Pattaya International Ladies lunches, Diwali nights and the opening of their special private dining room preceded over by the Belgium Ambassador to Thailand.
I remarked upon the
beautiful painting of a lady in a green sari hanging in this room while speaking with Jack and he told me that he had this recreated for Av to wear as she also loved it so much. I’m sure we all have our own fond memories of this beautiful lady and the next generation of the family will be helping Jack do everything they can to commemorate this special mention in The Michelin Guide in her honour.
2025 will mark a new chapter in the legacy of this remarkable institution 21 years in Pattaya on the 4th of March 15 years since the publication of AV’s remarkable book “Confluence – The Indian By Nature Cookbook” ( copies of which can still be seen in the restaurant). And the First but I am sure not the last of IBN’s inclusion in The Michelin Guide. Visit the restaurant now until the end of February 2025 to try their specially curated Michelin Menu.
Indian By Nature 306/64-68, Chateau Dale Plaza Thappraya Road Pattaya Indian-by-nature.com Phone: 038 364 656 email: [email protected] Mon-Sun 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM