Following several years of renovations, the popular Laguna Hills’ restaurant boasting elevated Indian-Pakistani cuisine, Mint Desi Craft Cuisine is excited to announce its grand reopening on Wednesday, January 8 beginning at 4 pm. All dining guests that evening will receive a complimentary glass of non-alcoholic champagne, and 10% of the Grand Opening proceeds will benefit NAMI Orange County, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Led by Head Chef Jamil Hosseini and guided by Michelin-recognized chef Imran Ali Mookhi of Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen and SHOR Bazaar, Mint aims to redefine Pakistani and Indian cuisine by showcasing its elegant potential. Originally opened in 2016, the restaurant set out to challenge the perception that regional halal dining in the West is limited to casual formats, using its platform to elevate and celebrate the rich cultures of South Asia through chef-driven dishes, an alcohol-free bar, and a sleek interior.
“It’s incredibly gratifying to reopen Mint finally. These past few years have certainly brought a few setbacks, but the community’s excitement and encouragement have made all the hard work worthwhile,” said Jamil Hosseini. “With a fresh look and an exciting, recrafted menu, we’re eager to welcome former regulars and new guests back into our space!”
The interior has been fully reimagined from its original design. The ambiance is elevated, reflecting Mint’s intended modern interpretation of Indian and Pakistani dining. The aesthetic features jewel tones, intricate wood accents, and crisp metallic fixtures, with deep velour seating, studded leather chairs, and rustic exposed brick walls, serving as a backdrop for the projected classic Bollywood movies playing throughout the dining experience. The bar area continues the raw accents and moody ambiance, sectioned off to highlight the waterfall marble countertop and earth-toned purple walls.
Mint’s sophisticated menu features a robust selection of classic, 100% halal Indian and Pakistani dishes, along with creative, innovative options prepared with refined presentations and techniques. Designed for family-style dining, the menu includes appetizers such as cast-iron-baked Bandar Buns with mango-garlic chutney, classic curries like Chicken Tikka Masala, and entrees including Palak Paneer and French-cut Lamb Chops, prepared with masala rub and served with yogurt and garlic oil. Freshly made accompaniments include Naan and Roti. House specialties feature spring bone-in Goat Karahi served in a traditional karahi wok and a unique Veg Biryani, made with charred market vegetables and Thai chilis. Rounding out the menu is the dessert section, featuring tableside Chai Tea and inventive creations like the Deconstructed Gajrella, made with caramelized heirloom carrots, saffron, and fresco de Malai, and the Macaron Jamun, a macaron shell filled with fragrant jamun and hints of cardamom and rose.
In keeping with halal tradition, the 100% alcohol-free bar program, led by head mixologist of Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen and Shor Bazaar, Ahmad Hosseini, features carefully crafted mocktails made with high-quality ingredients sourced from local vendors. Highlights include the Falsa-tini, made with Grewia asiatica pulp and black salt, the Pina Colada made with wild pineapple molasses and crème de coconut, and a refreshing array of non-alcoholic mimosas, including lychee, mango, and blood orange. The spirit-free bar menu also offers imported 0.0% craft brews and traditional lassis.
Located at 25381 Alicia Pkwy, Unit C, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, Mint Desi Craft Cuisine is open 7 days a week, Monday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 2 to 10 p.m. Reservations are now open through OpenTable and highly recommended for the Grand Reopening. For more information, visit MintDesiKitchen.com or follow them on Instagram at @mint.oc.
ABOUT MINT
Since its inception in 2016, Mint Desi Craft Kitchen has become a local destination for Indian & Pakistani cuisine in south Orange County. The restaurant, which is a sister concept to SHOR Bazaar in Hawaiian Gardens and Michelin-acknowledged Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen in Fullerton, offers 100% halal dining and alcohol-free crafted mocktails in an elevated atmosphere. Curated to redefine the perceptions of the region’s cuisine in an innovative and elevated way, Mint’s menu and contemporary ambiance offer guests the opportunity to experience the truest extent of elegant Indian and Pakistani culture. For more information, visit MintDesiKitchen.com or follow them on Instagram at @mint.oc.
