Roti Chai

Roti Chai, an Indian Street Kitchen serving traditional Indian chai and chaat has launched. The brief from Founder & CEO Rohit Chugh was for designLSM Interiors Director, Tim Burford to create a relaxed interior encompassing a retail section and separate basement restaurant. 
 
The ground floor has been fitted out with an open kitchen to help create a bright and informal setting. Industrial style lighting against a vibrant saffron ceiling and bespoke wall fittings made from recycled motorcycle headlights pay a subtle homage to India. A metalwork wall and staircase has been specially commissioned for the project. Furniture is an unconventional mix of raw ply, vintage chairs, benches and laminated ply tables.

Heavy timbers, dark walls and softer lighting have been used in the basement restaurant to create an intimate atmosphere. The interior has been fitted out with aged brass screens and train window style mirrors. Bespoke aged brass lampshades feature on the tables and in the bar. Modern, colourful charpoys (a bed used in India consisting of a frame strung with tapes or light rope) have been placed within the bar area. Intense flashes of colour have been created by back painting the glass to the bar and glass window to the kitchen bright orange.

Photography by Paul Winch-Furness