About Us

James Beard finalist for “Outstanding Restaurateur,” Ashok Bajaj, has owned and operated award-winning restaurants in London and the United States for over 30 years.  Born in New Delhi, India, Bajaj earned his degree in Commerce from University of Delhi and completed his postgraduate studies in Hotel Management and Tourism while working for one of India’s leading hotel chains, the Ashok Group. 

After a six-year tenure with Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, which relocated him to London, Bajaj took some time to travel to Sydney, Australia, before choosing his next step, which was to found Knightsbridge Restaurant Group, in the nation’s capital in 1988.  He has opened several highly successful landmark restaurants in DC, including the polished landmark power dining oasis, The Bombay Club and leading four-star Rasika. Many of his restaurants have reigned in DC’s top 100 best lists for over two decades, earning top rankings for exceptional service and outstanding fare.

Bajaj’s collection of power, neighborhood and fine dining establishments captured 10 RAMMY nominations from Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) in 2012, and Rasika captured Chef of the Year.  Then in 2013, Bajaj won Restaurateur of the Year and he was nominated for the award again in 2022. He was also named Washington Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO.  In May 2017, RAMW once again recognized Bajaj for his leadership and dedication to the restaurant industry, presenting him with the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award.  This honor is determined by RAMW’s Executive Committee and recognizes an individual whose hard work and outstanding initiative has increased the profile and success of the metropolitan Washington foodservice community and dining landscape.

Bajaj’s restaurants have also been consistently proposed for prestigious awards by the James Beard Foundation, including Best Chef-Mid Atlantic, Rising Star Chef, Outstanding Restaurant and Restaurateur of the Year, which he has been nominated for 10 times, including being a finalist for the coveted award in 2022.  Rasika’s Group Executive Chef Vikram Sunderam captured the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef Mid-Atlantic in May 2014. Recognized among the best in the city, his restaurants are often featured in The Washington Post, Washingtonian, Eater, DC Modern Luxury, Forbes, CNN, Food & Wine, Washington Life to name a few.  The Bombay Club, Rasika and Bibiana have each been named by Esquire among the Best New Restaurants in the USA. 

Brett Anderson of the New York Times reported the following on July 11, 2022. “Few people understand the power lunch better than Ashok Bajaj. The restaurateur began his career here in the waning days of Ronald Reagan’s presidency, when he opened the Bombay Club a short walk from the White House. Eight of the 10 restaurants he operates today are, like his first, located downtown.

They’re conveniently clustered near one another, making it easier for Mr. Bajaj to preside over multiple dining rooms, and near customers who work on Capitol Hill, at the State Department and in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building — crucial sources of what Mr. Bajaj calls his “lunch crowd.” Additionally, renowned restaurant critic and hospitality industry expert John Mariani wrote exclusively about Ashok Bajaj and his collection of award-winning restaurants in Washington on July 25, 2022, in Forbes, titled, “With Ten Restaurants In DC, Ashok Bajaj Is The City’s Gastronomic Powerbroker.” 

Named as Washington’s leading host and restaurant leaders in October 2009, Ashok was tapped as one of the 50 Most Powerful People in Washington by GQ magazine. He was also recognized by GQ in October 2019, for his commanding role in Washington with landmark Rasika. The New York Times referred to Ashok Bajaj as one of the influencers who helped change the city’s dining landscape in October 2019.  The Washington Post featured him in the Style Section in February 2011 stating, “And so it goes in the Empire of Ashok, a land of power dining and power appeasement that encompasses six see-and-be-seen restaurants, each with a distinct menu and vibe but a similar Ashokian polish.” 

Washington City Paper named Ashok Best Restaurateur for 2010 and 2011, and then in January 2012, Washingtonian magazine awarded Bajaj as Washington’s Restaurateur of the Year.  In November 2012 and again in 2017, Washington Business Journal included Bajaj in its list of Washington’s 100 Most Powerful Leaders. In 2013, The New York Times featured Ashok in August 2013 in an article titled “Right This Way, Senator” highlighting his achievements as the “New Delhi-born restaurateur masters power dining in D.C.” 

In October 2012, 2013, and 2019, Bajaj was named among the “Power 100,” as one of the region’s most influential business leaders by Washington Business Journal. He captured the TiE DC Legends Award from Indus Entrepreneurs in 2014 and in December 2015, Washington’s Downtown BID announced its Momentum Award winners, with Ashok Bajaj being named “Person of the Year” for his contributions to the city.