Sama Hospitality is opening a new contemporary Indian restaurant called Bar O Bar in Cary following the success of Morrisville’s Fusion Nine, an Indian fusion dining experience.
The new restaurant, located at 2301 Corley Road, is rooted in the culinary traditions of South India, bringing a “refined yet approachable” take on Indian dining to the Triangle. Scheduled for a December opening, the kitchen is lead by Michelin-trained Chef Vikash Vumudi.
“We created Bar O Bar to showcase the depth, diversity and creativity of Indian cuisine beyond what many guests may have experienced,” Sai Ancha, co-owner said in a press release. “Cary felt like the perfect home for that vision. It’s a community that values great food and genuine hospitality, and we want every guest to leave having discovered something new, while feeling welcomed like family.”
Bar O Bar centers on the depth and diversity of Indian cuisine, with an emphasis on South Indian flavors and traditions rather than the North Indian dishes that are widely associated with Indian cuisine in the United States, according to the press release.
The opening menu will still feature ingredients familiar to the regional cuisine like fresh coconut, mustard seeds, black pepper and curry leaves. When the restaurant opens, customers will be able to try well-known dishes like Donne biryani and Ghee & Gunpowder, alongside cocktails inspired by Indian desserts, per the press release.
“South Indian cooking is all about balance: the brightness of tamarind, the warmth of black pepper and the richness of fresh coconut. My approach is to let those flavors shine through precise technique and exceptional ingredients,” Vumudi said. “I am honored to introduce Cary to dishes that many guests may be experiencing for the first time and to share the depth and vibrancy of South Indian cuisine.”
Chef Vumudi, the kitchen lead, has international experience in Michelin-recognized kitchens. Vumudi honed his craft at Sindhu, the acclaimed restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar in England, before working as a development chef alongside celebrity chef Ajay Chopra, according to the press release.
The restaurant’s name draws from “barobar,” meaning “perfect” in several Indian languages. The name is meant to reflect a philosophy of balance that extends across food, cocktails, design and hospitality.
Bar O Bar’s interior design seeks a “distinctly Indian” feel featuring handcrafted furniture sourced from Rajasthan, the largest state in India, along with natural stone, timber, antique brass and other textiles, per the press release.
Other recent restaurant news
The News & Observer previously reported other restaurant openings.
Shinmai Moku, a Japanese-Italian hybrid restaurant, opened in October in Raleigh’s Quail Corners shopping center. The new spot leans into the Triangle’s growing Izakaya trend, built around charcoal-grilled Japanese skewers.
In September, The N&O reported that the chefs and owners of Cornelia and The Vintner & The Baker, Erin Kobler and Alex Catotti will open the pair of restaurants in Durham next spring.
Dining and Cooking