Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, chefs around the country opened ghost kitchens that operated delivery and pickup only – catering to customers that couldn’t or wouldn’t dine out.
Cleveland chef Doug Katz was one of those innovators, and his Indian-inspired concept Amba is now preparing to set down roots in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood’s Hingetown district.
Located at 1430 W. 28th St., Katz told the Cleveland Jewish News in April that the restaurant is planning for a fall opening.
“I just love the area, I love what people are doing there and the level of creativity there is great,” he says. “I think the neighborhood is very diverse with people who are interested in trying sort of new cuisine. So, Amba fits well in that neighborhood. And I think that Amba is our most creative Indian fusion concept. It’s out of the box and I think that is the perfect neighborhood to introduce that space.”
Katz’s other ghost kitchen, Chimi, which offers a South American-inspired menu, operates out of the kitchen at 1975 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights.
Until the fall opening, Amba’s orders will continue to come out of that kitchen as well. Katz also owns Zhug, a Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant at 12413 Cedar Road in Cleveland Heights.
He closed the fast-casual Indian/Thai bowl restaurant Chutney B at Van Aken District’s Market Hall in Shaker Heights in June.
– Becky Raspe