AK’s is the new project from XO chef AK Ramakrishna. Photo: @aktocreative.
It’s been almost exactly a year since Narrabundah fine dining restaurant XO closed its doors, but Chef Annand ‘AK’ Ramakrishna couldn’t stay away from the industry for too long. He’s been popping up at venues all over town, making surprise special dishes at Nonna Maria’s in Mitchell and dishing up a one-day-only Satay Spectacular at Terra.
But he’s just announced a new venue, which he’s calling AK’s Diner, paying homage to his Amma’s (Mum’s) cooking and the “simple, humble, accessible” food of Malaysia.
AK’s Diner will be located in the space formerly occupied by Fekerte’s Ethiopian in New Acton. AK told Region he was a big fan of Fekerte’s cooking, and is hoping to replicate her success.
“I used to go to Fekerte’s a lot … and the first time I tasted her Ethiopian food, it felt like home food. It was like roti, rice and curries! There’s a lot of similarities in the spices between South Asian and African cooking,” AK said.
“I thought I’d jump in where she left off and make simple, humble food: Malaysian rice and curries.”
There will be a mix of veggie and meat curries. Photo: @aktocreative.
The new shop will only be open on weekdays for lunch, so AK is looking forward to embracing the day-shift lifestyle and having a better work-life balance.
“That restaurant lifestyle is hard. I’d only get to see my wife on Sundays. I’ve been out of dinners for so long now that I’m like in my pyjamas with a cup of tea at 8 pm! I don’t think I could go back to doing two dinner sittings now!”
We can assume AK’s wife is also pleased with this outcome!
AK’s takes over from where Fekerte’s left off in New Acton. Photo: @aktocreative.
Following the blueprint of Fekerte’s success, AK will be leaving the pressure and pizzazz of XO at the door and focusing on making delicious food without the fuss. He’s taking inspiration from hawker-style vendors and his Amma’s home cooking for the menu.
“I want to start with a version of my Amma’s chicken curry. Malaysian chicken curries are really simple, cooked slowly and properly with ginger and potato. And I used to do a chickpea sambar at XO as a vego option, so something like that will be on there too.”
Other options might be a chicken rendang (to make it more accessible to those who don’t eat beef) or dry cauliflower curry for vegetarians.
AK plans to have two meat and two vegetarian options and will likely steer clear of pork and beef to make the menu more accessible for people with religious dietary requirements. Once he’s comfortable in the space, he might also look at adding snacks like curry puffs or doing a one-off hawker-style evening pop-up, but he’s taking it slow to start with.
AK’s will serve up a range of Malaysian curries. Photo: @aktocreative.
“I want it to be fun, but less shenanigans and more relaxed,” he said.
“Going back to hospitality and being hospitable, it’s what I want AK’s to stand for: simple, humble and affordable.”
AK’s Diner is located at 2 Phillip Law St, Acton. AK plans to open next week. Follow AK’s Diner on Instagram to find out exactly when.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Riotact.
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