Virgin Voyages unveils Indian restaurant on Valiant Lady | News
Virgin Voyages has announced the debut of a modern Indian restaurant, called ‘Ariya’, exclusively on Valiant Lady following her dry dock in May.
Developed in collaboration with Indie Culinaire by acclaimed celebrity chef, television personality and cookbook author Maneet Chauhan, Ariya offers Sailors (guests) a range of Indian dishes, combining well-known classics with coastal flavors and regional specialities.
The name of the restaurant is inspired by Sir Richard Branson’s great-great-grandmother: Ariya. From the coastal town of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, she traveled extensively, believing that food was an international language. The foundation of the restaurant is built on these beliefs.
THE SPACE:
Ariya will use Valiant Lady’s breakfast and brunch location, Razzle Dazzle, as a 220-seat restaurant every night. The interiors are inspired by the colour, culture and craftsmanship of the Indian spice markets.
The new restaurant offers:
A semi-private dining area framed by decorative screens, made to resemble the interior of a traditional jewelry box
Cuddalore inspired stands
A feature bar, backed by an eclectic DJ soundtrack with Indian classics, Bollywood hits, Punjabi pop and global sounds
THE KITCHEN:
Ariya offers a menu inspired by regional Indian cuisine, with flavors and ingredients from across the country. The dishes are prepared with layered spices and traditional cooking techniques. The menu also includes a selection of chaat, a traditional Indian street food known for its fresh textures and vibrant flavors.
Dishes include:
Lamb shank biryani
Goan curry mussels
Malabar coconut crab cake
Puffed rice and avocado chaat
Tandoori snapper with pistachio crust
THE BAR:
Ariya’s bar offering consists of cocktails inspired by the same regional influences as the cuisine. A complimentary serving of jaljeera, a chilled tamarind and cumin drink, is available to all guests before dinner.
Cocktails include:
Maharani Morning with rose, cardamom and sparkling wine
Golden Hour Spritz layered with saffron and honey
Saffron & Silk with whiskey and roasted coconut smoke
Bangalore old fashioned with jaggery and cardamom
The Seventh Leaf, a botanical zero-proof creation
A curated wine list is on offer, alongside a selection of small-batch Indian spirits, and a traditional chai tea set is also available.
Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages, said: “Ariya is the next chapter in our food and beverage collection that we’ve been building with true intention since day one. Every restaurant we open is a statement about what we believe dining at sea can be, and Ariya says something we haven’t said before. Indian cuisine, prepared with this level of craftsmanship and so much heart, belongs at Valiant Lady. Sailors who have sailed with us before will immediately understand why this belongs here. For those who haven’t, Ariya might be the reason they book.”
Chef Levi Mezick, senior director of culinary program development at Virgin Voyages, said: “Indian cuisine is finally getting the global recognition it has always deserved and our sailors can experience it at its best, with Chef Maneet. The spice combinations alone will surprise people. That’s the goal: to make every sailor at that table think, ‘I didn’t know food could do that’.”
For more information about Virgin Voyages’ culinary program, visit virginvoyages.com.
