Perfectly placed on Pepper Street, AMNI is a family-owned Indian restaurant with a focus on authentic recipes and dishes using premium, quality ingredients.
Inside, AMNI feels luxe, opulent and intimate with golden finishes and dark leather seating to really set the mood. While this restaurant is a large space, the team have done a great job on making it feel cosy and relaxed. We visited on a Tuesday evening and there were plenty of other tables occupied — I guess the secret’s out in Chester already — but we still felt like we were able to have a private conversation if we needed to.
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AMNI, Chester Leading the charge in the kitchen, Kabir tells us the recipes he and his team are cooking are all authentic to his family; the House Chaat (which was delicious) is exactly how Farida makes it at home and is presented in exactly the same way. This means their dishes are completely unique and won’t be found anywhere else in the world and are a true representation of both Kabir and Farida’s creativity. Each dish has been crafted with a specific taste and flavour profile in mind, which is why you won’t see the regular “choose your meat, now your sauce” curry house set up. The Awadi Chicken Biryani is a dish that has been made by Farida for years for her family and the Bhajora are again recipes that have been within the family for years and years. These are things that they would like every customer to experience.
The name AMNI comes from Kabir’s daughter (Sadia) not being able to pronounce Kabir’s sister’s name (Meena) and accidentally calling her AMNI. A generation of children followed Sadia’s lead and called Meena, Amni. AMNI is a household name for Kabir and Farida’s family and is a reflection of its closeness. When the family gathers together, it’s the grandmothers and aunties that cook with home flavours and traditional techniques.
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AMNI, Chester It was clear to us this is a very proud family - proud of their heritage and proud of what they have achieved in such a small space of time - but it was also clear that they didn’t take themselves too seriously and have a great sense of humour. The ‘McCartney’ is named after Stella McCartney and is therefore affectionately referred to as “the designer curry”. It lived up to its name - we can confirm it’s delicious. On the sundries you’ll find Gucci Rice - not only for its designer connotations but because Gucchi is actually a mushroom. Be careful, though, if you’re going for the ‘Tiger’ Curry, they’re not giving too much away. It’s sweet on the front and carries a wicked afterheat.
While still relatively new to its Chester home, AMNI is has its eyes firmly set on growth and expansion. We won’t give their new locations away just yet, but their mission is clear: to give the UK a completely new Indian dining experience.
If you’re looking for a relaxed dining experience that creatively reflects the true flavours of home-cooked Indian cuisine, you’re going to love AMNI. Order the Tiger, but don’t say we didn’t warn you!
anmi.uk
