Avish Naran is gearing up to unveil his latest venture adjacent to his wildly successful Indian sports bar, Pijja Palace. The 2,500 square-foot Schezwan Club is scheduled to start construction this summer and should be open by the first half of 2025, reports Eater LA. The Pan-Asian food joint will showcase Indian Chinese cuisine with Southeast Asian influences.
When conceptualizing Schezwan Club’s menu, Naran embarked on extensive research trips to Indonesia, Singapore, and India, particularly focused on dishes that use ingredients that are popular in multiple countries, like tamarind. The envisioned menu will feature Singapore noodles alongside Manchurian chicken, complemented by a selection of over a dozen sambals. “You might also see some roti canai action,” Naran told Eater LA.
Naran’s passion for Indo-Chinese cooking dates back to his childhood when he’d frequent spots in Cerritos like Jay Jay’s, Tangra Bistro and Tangy Tomato. “I loved going to those Indo-Chinese restaurants, but none of them really exist anymore,” the Echo Park native continued.
Schezwan Club will also feature a carefully curated cocktail program with regionally influenced classics such as the Singapore Sling and Myanmar’s Pegu Club. Despite the challenge of sourcing specialty liquors, Naran is committed to his vision.
Casandra Smith, the creative force behind Pijja Palace’s design, is entrusted with bringing Schezwan Club’s moodier aesthetic to life—think dark cherry woods and neon signs.
Naran declined WNLA’s request for further comments about his new concept at this time.
