Chef Bhavesh Patel Is Out at Amara [Updated]

Less than four months after opening its doors, Amara has overhauled its staff. Executive chef Bhavesh Patel is no longer with the Indian fusion restaurant, a representative tells Eater Atlanta. With Patel out, the back-of-house team from sister restaurant Tabla has taken over the kitchen.

Patel was first announced as executive chef in September, and he made plans to create an “Indian-inspired American menu.” Details regarding his departure were not immediately available, but the change comes a couple of weeks after Atlanta Journal-Constitution food editor Ligaya Figueras penned a lukewarm one-star review of the Inman Park dining room. It isn’t clear if a single individual from Tabla’s staff is leading the position as executive chef, or if Amara has plans to fill the position.

Update: The representative tells Eater Atlanta Patel’s departure was due to a desired change in concept: “Bhavesh was a highly skilled chef and did an amazing job creating the direction of the restaurant and menu. However, after some feedback from guests, the owner wanted to add more traditional dishes to the menu; thus bringing in the Tabla team to refresh the menu. Bhavesh parted in good terms.”

The restaurant is currently interviewing candidates to take over as executive chef.

The shuffle has resulted in an updated menu and the addition of curries and other traditional Indian-American staples. Amara has also added lunch and brunch service. The former runs Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., and brunch is served on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Wednesday, the bar is pouring local beer selections for $4 each.

See the updated dinner, lunch, and brunch menus below.

• Chef Bhavesh Patel Is IN at Amara, Coming Soon to Inman Park [EATL]
• One Star for the Indian Fusion at Amara [EATL]
• All Amara Coverage [EATL]
• All Chef Shuffles [EATL]