At a restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, cuisine is more than just food—it’s a narrative of cultural influences. Chef Avishar Barua, inspired by his team’s diverse backgrounds, crafts a menu at Agni that tells a unique story.
Each course, from chaat to a cafe con pan-inspired dessert, is an homage to the cultural roots of Agni’s kitchen team members. These dishes are not just meals but dedicated tributes to the people and places that shape this Midwestern culinary journey.
French Onion Chaat
Chaat, a popular South Asian snack, serves as the inviting starter at Agni. This dish thrives on its varied textures, featuring caramelized onion and potato purée, fried spinach, arugula tendrils, crunchy jhalmuri, and nigella seeds. Chef Barua completes the dish with a trio of drizzles including apple chutney, creamy salsa, and an innovative take on the regional ‘Heckuvagood’ sauce.
Moqueca de Camarão
Inspired by both shrimp cocktail and the Brazilian moqueca de camarão, this dish marries tradition with innovation. An aromatic sauce made of horseradish, tomatoes, garlic, and coconut milk envelops prawns coated in buckwheat and toasted coconut. Melted leeks and shrimp chips complete this holiday-inspired dish.
Red Oil Dumplings
The dumplings sit on charred cabbage and are served with a grilled duck tenderloin skewer. Diners are encouraged to dip the skewer into a sweet soy sauce swirling with Kashmiri and Tianjin chile oil.
Gosht Jhol
A side dish includes mango chutney, fried shallots, mint, and pickled vegetables, designed to balance the curry’s richness with refreshing elements.
Rohan Duck Adobo
Crispy lumpia and dry-aged duck breast mingle with fermented duck egg, eggplant, fried garlic, rice, and a hint of banana ketchup and coconut mustard.
Cafe Con Pan Dessert
The dish is completed with dustings of lime zest and pineapple powder, creating a sweet conclusion to the tasting menu.
Agni’s tasting menu is a canvas where diverse cultural influences converge to create a unique Midwestern culinary narrative.
Chef Barua and his team weave together their varied backgrounds, offering diners more than just a meal—each course is an invitation to explore and appreciate the rich tapestry of cultures that inspire this innovative cuisine.
Source: Bonappetit