In the heart of Indore, a two-storey facade beckons you to let loose and mingle in the spirit of communal dining. This is the face of Virat Kohli’s ever-expanding restaurant, One8 Commune, which is running wild with outposts across seven cities including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. The newest one in Indore is a departure from other outlets; here, Kohli has embraced the city by way of a massive double height outdoor dining area that overlooks the jagged horizon. With each restaurant, the star cricketer has striven to celebrate the city it stands in. Now, as Indore’s warm air and communal reverence for food crosses the threshold to meet his passion for bringing people together to dine, this eleventh outpost seems like the strongest culmination of this concept.
Co-owned by Virat Kohli under True Palate Pvt Ltd, the restaurant opened its doors in Indore’s High Street Apollo last December. The 6,500-square-foot space was designed by interior designer Minnie Bhatt with a vision to foster comfort and connection, realised through natural textures, warm tones, and soft materials. Taking cues from the spatial features as well as the brand’s philosophy, Bhatt laid out an earthy palette that invites you in with an easy sophistication. Against the unifying tonality of beige and browns, subtle variations add a unique character to different corners of the space.
Meant to serve as a community-building space for the city, One8 Commune is planned as a dynamic spot that serves friends and families alike. “We designed it in a way that it could be the go-to space for all kinds of gatherings, from parties to quiet dinners, all enjoyed in a premium setting,” Bhatt says. This dynamism is manifested by way of three distinct sections spread across two floors and preceded by a lobby area with installations of Kohli’s jersey on a wall.
Through the doors, the double height open air area features a corner pergola and bar counter to the left. The entire right side is open to the city, with only a DJ console against a glass railing punctuating the view. With a performance stage and an outdoor bar, this space invites parties and fine dining evenings. A lime plastered staircase to the left hides a second, air conditioned section, which lends itself perfectly for homely fine dining experiences and familial gatherings. Up these stairs, the upper level boasts a second, curved bar against glass panels overlooking the city on one side, and a railing overlooking the double-height area on the other. This is where the orange twilight outside casts a glow on the wooden rafters inside to craft the perfect sundowners.
While cane and wood furnishings by Sohail’s Furniture pervades over the lay of the land, tweaks in shape and form accentuate their visual effect. Like the lighting, which shines through custom dome lights, fibre glass floor lamps, and woven hanging lights in different areas. The pastel tones of upholstery lend an offset against the sunlit walls of rammed earth. While this raw look clothes the openair area, a terrazzo and broken tile look takes over other sections.
It can’t be easy breeding comfort in a high-ceilinged open air expanse that would unabashedly welcome Indore’s sizzling temperatures. But ducts for fresh air and mist for cooling now balance the outdoor atmosphere, while a show-stealing fabric ceiling installation counters the warmth with an illusion of cooling comfort as it sways with the wind.
The cuisine at One8 Commune is an experiment with comfort food that meets local cuisine and global touches. This means dishes constructed with familiar elements to create new iterations that push you to the edge of your seat. The Jalebi Chaat, for instance, pairs the popular Indian sweet with tangy yogurt, spiced chutneys and sev. There’s also the Kala Chana Hummus Chaat, Dal Pakwan, and Parsi Mutton Curry for Indian flavours. Asian dishes on the menu include the Bang Bang Noodles and Bibimbap, a Korean-inspired rice bowl with sautéed vegetables, gochujang sauce, a choice of protein and a runny egg. Crafted with sections covering small and large plates, sides and desserts, the menu also features a section of Kohli’s personal favourites, with options ranging from salads and sushi to pizzas.
Kohli’s quirky interpretations of the city, served in a soothing haven crafted by Bhatt, lend themselves perfectly to a modish haunt amid Indore’s storied streets.
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