Johnny Depp who is reported to have said ‘it was the best curry he’s ever had!’
The Birmingham branch of Varasani, which is named after a city in Northern India, has hosted famous faces such as Ex on the Beach’s Ashley Cain and former Manchester City footballer Daniel Sturridge. The Leicester branch will open for a soft launch today, Thursday, February 15, at 6pm.
Its full menu at the 160-seat restaurant will be available from Friday, February 16. Its opening hours will be 6pm to 11pm Monday to Thursday, and 5pm to 11pm Friday to Sunday. It will serve North and South Indian-inspired food.
Menu items will include Kasturi chicken tikka with caramalised pineapple chutney, and tandoori wild king prawn with spicy beetroot ketchup, while desserts will include tiramisu torte with mango drizzle, and coconut pannacotta.
The restaurant will be decorated with candle-lit lanterns and a specially designed waterfall. Cocktails will include Coconut Passion, Mango Mule, Rose Petal Martini and an Indian Spiced Mai Tai, alongside all the classics, bosses said.
For a more exclusive experience, diners can use two private dining rooms located at the rear of the restaurant. Applications have also been submitted for permission to have seating outside, said a Varanasi spokesperson.
The link with Hollywood actor Depp comes from him dining at the Birmingham branch, where he reportedly ran up a £50,000 bill. The star of Pirates of the Caribbean spent around four hours at the Indian restaurant, arriving at the secret back entrance, BirminghamLive reported at the time, in 2022. The restaurant had been closed to other diners during his visit. He spent £25,000-£30,000 hiring out the eatery – and reportedly spent another £20,000 as a tip, which the managers have spoke about.
The spokesperson added: “After the success of Varanasi in Birmingham it was time to expand, and we saw the multicultural and diverse city of Leicester is the perfect place to introduce our fine dining experience.”