Chiswick Indian Restaurant Owners Look Back on First Year
Republic celebrates anniversary despite challenging times
Kuldeep Mattegunta and Mustaq Tappewale outside Republic
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Setting up a restaurant at a location where a Michelin star wasn’t enough to ensure the survival of the previous occupant was always going to be a challenge. Doing so during a pandemic was clearly going to be many times more so.
Despite the unanticipated obstacles they faced, Mustaq Tappewale and Kuldeep Mattegunta, the owners of Republic on Chiswick High Road are now about to celebrate their first anniversary.
On 6 December, it will have been one year since Mustaq and Kuldeep were left feeling helpless after Tier 3 restrictions delayed the launch of their restaurant Republic at 301-303 Chiswick High Road. Sparkling wine will be served to customers to mark the occasion.
Republic is a casual dining experience, which aims to offer fine Indian cooking combined with British seasonal ingredients. The concept was brought to life by Mustaq and Kuldeep, who met at Kricket group’s flagship restaurant in Soho, following a collective twenty years’ experience in the London dining industry.
Interior of Republic restaurant on Chiswick High Road
Their plan was for an restaurant that presented a diverse range of menus throughout the year, with ingredients inspired by the four British seasons.
In the first five months of its existence the restaurant operated on a takeaway only basis and it wasn’t until May that diners where able to sample Kuldeep’s cooking in person.
Over the last six months, the owners say they have started to build up a loyal following among the Chiswick residents with the restaurant now usually fully booked in the evenings. Their niche of upmarket Indian dining was previously catered to in the area by Indian Zing on King Street but they are clearly managing to tempt some people to the western end of the High Road.
Co-founder Mustaq commented, “We are so grateful for the support of the Chiswick community over the past year. It’s been such a difficult start for our business and we never believed we would get to the point where we are now. We are so proud of our journey so far, and can’t wait to see where it takes us in 2022”.
Republic’s Winter menu includes items such as Berkshire Porkchop served with goan, chorizo and brussel sprout, as well as Welsh Lamb Rajasthani Laal Mass, dishes which aim to redefine British-Indian cuisine through the incorporation of local ingredients.
You can book a table at Republic online. It is open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday.
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December 1, 2021
