Nirvanna Global opens with a fusion of cuisines

Nirvanna Global officially opened its doors on Saturday, and immediately had customers wanting to sample their fare. Located at Kingston’s Progressive Shopping Centre in Barbican, the restaurant and bar offers a fusion of dishes based on cultures from all over the world, and as owner and Director Aman Chatani puts it, “We can feed every palate”.

This, with a menu that boasts a wide range of delectable dishes that will appeal to most. There is the flavourful Korean spiced chicken skewer (it’s already a favourite), the jerk spiced calamari, a bevvy of flatbreads and burgers. A fresh tortellini stuffed with wilted mushrooms, ricotta cheese, and roasted chicken tossed in a burnt mushroom sauce (the pasta is made freshly in-house). Rosemary-rubbed pork chops and a delightful Cajun spiced cauliflower steak that vegetarians will laud – we see and taste what Chatani is saying. “We use all-natural ingredients and make most things from scratch,” he adds. And if you, like many others, have been searching for a good avocado toast, look no further than this spot.

Catering to the health-conscious, the location is also intentional about having heart-healthy dishes, such as the Mexicali burrito bowl and the traditional hummus and falafel on the menu. “I love that people are very health-conscious, and we will be doing more of these types of dishes as we continue,” adds the director.

Come to life

What’s more? The cocktails are a hit. As we overhear a diner rave about a Lychee Collins that they consider “fire”, we take a look at the drink menu and spot a skinny margarita, and let’s just say, at around 140 calories, while not skimping on taste, former Real Housewife of New York and skinny margarita queen Bethenny Frankel would be proud. And, yes, tequila lovers, Casamigos is in the house. The bar is stocked with top-shelf liquor.

The name Nirvanna might resonate, as the Chatani family opened the namesake elite Indian restaurant in 2015, followed by Masala Wok by Nirvanna in 2020. Now, as part of their trilogy, Nirvanna Global has come to life. “It’s a completely different twist,” says Chatani, who moved back to Jamaica from Canada in 2020 due to the pandemic. “It’s the perfect spot to pregame, hang out, and dine.”

Acknowledging that the location is ideal, fits the theme of what they are trying to do, and attracts a lot of attention. As Chatani looks around the modernly decorated space and more patrons file in, he says, “My aim is to bring Miami to Jamaica.”

The staff is also promising; they don’t skip a beat, and check in ever so often to ensure that all is well.

When asked how he sees Nirvanna Global evolving, with an emphasis on the word ‘global’, Chatani says, “We want to cater to everyone.”