EXCLUSIVE! Food Talk | From big screen to global cuisine, Sanjay Dutt's entry into hospitality

Conceived as an immersive dining destination, Solaire evolves effortlessly from leisurely daytime dining to elegant dinners, and later into a space alive with a high-energy bar, cocktails, and music. Unlike conventional venues that lean heavily on either cuisine or nightlife, Solaire places food firmly at the center, bringing global gastronomy to Mumbai in a way that is bold, refined, and personal, while complementing it with a vibrant bar and atmosphere.

Each dish here tells a story. On being asked as to why he named it Solaire, Sanjay Dutt says, “The name Solaire comes from the word solar, meaning of the sun. To me, the sun represents warmth, light, and energy - everything I wanted this space to embody.”

All about food

A name synonymous with Bollywood blockbusters, we hardly knew about his refined taste for food. He said, “Food at Solaire was imagined as an extension of that same energy, vibrant, soulful, and comforting. We wanted to design a menu that feels global but personal, with dishes that spark both curiosity and nostalgia. Chef Gurudutt and us wanted guests to experience food that connects cultures and memories, served with a sense of discovery.”

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At its heart, Solaire is about food. The menu, created in collaboration with a Michelin-experienced chef, is a mosaic of cultures and flavors. The result is a dining experience that feels familiar yet surprising, offering nostalgic undertones wrapped in modern expression. With Solaire, Sanjay Dutt marks his official entry into the hospitality industry.

Inspired by Dutt’s travels, where tradition is reimagined with innovation, Indian spice and soul, slow-simmered curries layered with heritage-rich masalas, Mediterranean Vibrance: Mezze and homemade staples such as tahini, yogurt, and za’atar, Pan-Asian Fire: Wok-tossed delicacies alive with umami and heat and European Elegance: From artisanal burrata and aged Parmigianos to French patisserie with Italian coffee indulgence.

From the chef’s table

Chef Gurudutt says, “The Lamb Kebab is undoubtedly my signature dish at Solaire. It captures the essence of what we wanted to truly create here, refined yet rooted in flavour and indulgence. The meat is marinated for over 24 hours in a blend of house-made spices and slow-cooked to achieve that melt-in-the-mouth texture.”

On being asked as to what was the thought that went behind curating the dishes, Chef adds, “When curating the menu for Solaire, the idea was to design food that feels global in influence but deeply personal in taste. We wanted each dish to tell a story whether inspired by a memory, a journey, or a local ingredient reimagined through an international lens.”

Bollywood into hospitality

This is not the first time that Bollywood is venturing into hospitality, Gauri Khan, interior designer and wife of Shah Rukh Khan) launched Torii, an upscale progressive Asian restaurant in Mumbai, known for its stylish ambiance and Japanese-inspired dishes. Karan Johar too co-founded  Neuma, a fine-dining restaurant located in a renovated colonial-era bungalow in Mumbai, offering European cuisine in a chic setting. Malaika Arora co-owns  Scarlett House, a chic European restaurant in Mumbai known for its healthy yet indulgent food options and vintage aesthetic.