Chef Vijay Sadhu thrilled me with his cooking at Bukhara Grille and Samar by Stephan Pyles. He left Samar in February 2010 to open Sutra in the Shops at Legacy. He struggled to sell modern Portuguese-Indian fusion cuisine, changed the menu, but eventually took on a partner, Al Bhakta of Genghis Grill. They closed Sutra and opened Pepper Smash, a cocktail kitchen. After two years, Sadhu cashed out of Pepper Smash in February 2014. He was hired by Karthik Thambidurai the owner of Chennai Cafe in West Plano. Thambidurai moved Chenni to Frisco, revamped the space, and brought on Sadhu to consult on the menu and train the staff of his new creation Samudraa, a restaurant centered on Indian Ocean coastal cuisine. Eve-Hill Agnus tried to dine at Samudraa on Saturday night, but found the restaurant closed and a new restaurant concept already under construction. It lasted less than three months.
I was under the impression that Sadhu was in the kitchen, but last night he confirmed that he was not involved in the ownership or even on staff. Sadhu is talented and one of the most gentle souls in the restaurant business. I hope he lands in a space where his cooking is welcomed.
