CLEVELAND — *Editor's Note: The video in the player above originally aired on March 1, 2021.
From ghost kitchen to brick and mortar. Doug Katz is bringing his Indian-inspired cuisine to Hingetown with a permanent space.
According to Doug Trattner's article in Scene Magazine, the local chef plans to open a full-service version of Amba in the neighborhood's " Tiger Building," after operating out his ghost kitchen in Cleveland Heights since November 2020.
“We want to launch both Chimi and Amba as concepts, but to me Amba is a perfect fit for what Graham has created in Hingetown,” Katz explains. “It is a very cosmopolitan neighborhood with a lot of diversity throughout. I think Amba being an Indian-fusion concept really works well in that type of neighborhood," Katz told Trattner in an interview.
With the help of designer, Kelly Shaffer, Katz plans to transform the former printing press into a "one of a kind destination."
This isn't the first time the two have joined forces to decorate a restaurant. They've previously seen success with Zhug also located in Cleveland Heights.
“Where Zhug is a really bright, sort of urban-looking space, Amba will be more of a hidden gem type of thing where you don’t really know what you’re walking into,” Katz says. “We’re working again with Kelly Shaffer and she’s creating some really fun aspects with lights and with using the masonry brick to transform it into a space that’s sexy, a little dark, and with great music,” Trattner reports.
According to Trattner, the main dining room will have a bar and semi-open kitchen. The space will also include a separate room for guest to enjoy small plates and drinks before or after a meal.
In preparation of the brick-and-mortar location opening, Katz says Amba will take a hiatus, but return with an expanded menu.
For more information on Amba and what it offers, click here.
*Editor's Note: The video in the player above originally aired on October 9, 2020.