A relative newcomer to Victoria’s dining scene, Kinu Restaurant is making waves with its tapas style menu that combines traditional Indian flavours with global culinary techniques. Located in the Uptown shopping centre at Unit 123, 3600 Uptown Blvd., Kinu is a part of the family-owned restaurant group which also runs the popular Indian restaurant Sizzling Tandoor.
Kinu’s menu features dishes that offer a unique third culture perspective, a blend of Indian and global influences. Standout offerings include Pakora Gnocchi, Whipped Goat Cheese & Naan, and Kinu Chicken, an Indo-Chinese inspired take on orange chicken.
In addition to the unique menu offerings, Kinu boasts a series craft cocktails. Cocktails, such as the Rani of Jhansi and the Harita pay homage to women pioneers in India. The restaurant also works with local wineries and distilleries to offer a selection of wine and spirits that complement its dishes.
Everything from the unique menu offerings to the stunning interiors of Kinu is the brainchild of culinary entrepreneur Kirn Bawa, who is the owns and operates Kinu Restaurant, which happens to be her namesake also. The kinu is a citrus fruit native to India and a nickname members of her family use when referring to it.
Bawa’s vision was to create something brand new, both for Victoria and the Indian food landscape in Canada. She’s succeeded in creating a beautiful and relaxing space that invites guests to dine-in and linger over a shared family style meal.
At the heart of Kinu’s success is the Bawa family’s love for good food. Long time Victoria residents will be familiar with Sizzling Tandoor, the first restaurant in this family owned business, and the oldest Indian restaurant in Victoria. Bawa worked with a team of chefs, including her mother to finalize the kinu menu that is innovative and exciting and celebrates the traditional flavours of Indian cuisine.
Bawawas born and raised in Victoria and is driven by a desire to broaden the city’s culinary landscape. “Seeing the lack of diversity motivates me to push for more culinary options,” says Bawa, noting her experience living abroad further solidified her passion for Indian cuisine in a way that transcends traditional expectations.
Special events are also on the Kinu menu, such as a recent pop-up with celebrity chef Devan Rajkumar. This one night only event featured a fusion of Chef Dev’s Guyanese-Canadian cuisine with Kinu’s Indian flavours.
Kinu welcomes people daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations can be made through their website kinuvictoria.ca or by calling 778-265-7775. Follow Kinu on Instagram for any updates!