With its Wafu menu, She’s Here gives fusion a good name

To me, She’s Here sounded like yet another character-driven restaurant with a mythical arc, in the vein of Madam Chow in Gurgaon. My imagination ran wild, conjuring up a glamorous woman masked in velvet…until the illusion gave way to a far simpler origin story.

This new modern Japanese restaurant in Gurgaon’s bustling HQ27 complex seems like a natural extension of Call Me Ten, the progressive izakaya in Delhi’s Vasant Vihar founded by Karann Chawla, Angadh Singh, and Akshay Shokeen. “When we signed the lease, I called Angadh to tell him our sister brand was finally here. That’s how the name She’s Here came up; it was completely spontaneous,” says Chawla on how the space got its name.

She’s Here, however, is more intimate than its older sibling. 

The 80-cover space, currently dinner-only (it’s set to go all-day next month), is moody from the get-go. Dark wood dominates, while terracotta tones and earthy textures ground it. The lighting, unlike at many restaurants these days, is just right—dim but never requiring you to switch on your flashlight. 

The bar counter is unpretentious and particularly fitting for an omakase bar experience (more on that later). Lovers of culinary theatre, on the other hand, should secure a spot at the teppanyaki table.

Once you’ve settled into your corner of choice (there’s also a tiny alfresco section and a PDR to pick from), ease into the meal with the restaurant’s pillowy bread, served alongside sriracha, truffle, and miso butters. My tip: smear a little of all three for a playful sweet-spicy bite. While most diners might skip the edamame (no judgment there), don’t miss She’s Here’s version—charred and kissed with chilli garlic, the humble legume is elevated with a smoky punch.

The small plates offer a mix of familiar flavours alongside some adventurous creations. Under chef Vaibhav Bhargava, She’s Here leans on Japanese ingredients while serving Wafu cuisine—a fusion of Japanese and Western cooking with Italian influences. The truffle mushroom arancini crackles on the outside and melts within, thanks to a parmesan-laced centre finished with a touch of togarashi. And yes, there’s gyoza, slicked with chilli oil and ponzu for just the right amount of heat, a safe but satisfying choice for those not looking to venture too far off the beaten path.

If you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone, try the chilli-crunch avocado and tofu. It might feel a little salad-like at first bite, but the umami-rich mix of pomelo, avocado sashimi, and tofu tied together with a punchy umeboshi dressing is surprisingly refreshing. For non-vegetarians, the lamb hamburg delivers the satisfaction of a steak without the heaviness. Here, small, juicy minced lamb patties swim in tomato tonkatsu sauce, best enjoyed with a drizzle of extra jus.

The robata and kushiyaki section offers everything from sweet potato kushi and portobello mushroom to chicken, pork belly, and John Dory. The pork belly skewers were impeccably braised, with the flavours of Japanese mustard, togarashi, and negi shining through in every bite.

It’s the rice and pasta section where She’s Here could step up its game. While the team clearly has a flair for Japanese cuisine, the Italian offerings fall flat in comparison. The gochujang bucatini, for example—with tobanjan crema, fresh tomato sauce, and Japanese chilli—was a little too sweet. Similarly, the miso squash risotto, featuring miso-smoked pumpkin purée, pumpkin tempura, and cream cheese, felt heavy, and the cream cheese overpowered the dish.

Among the desserts, the gluten-free soft-centred dark chocolate cake with brûléed banana and French vanilla ice-cream on the side was a comforting end to the meal. The tiramisu French toast sounded promising, but proved dry. 

The drinks menu, crafted by beverage manager Mukul Yadav, is where She’s Here truly shines. For a personalised omakase bar experience, guests can fill out a form detailing their preferred spirit and flavour profile or select from a curated selection of 10 cocktails. The standout is undoubtedly the Japanese Seven Star Picante—chilli-oil-infused Don Julio blanco, shichimi togarashi cordial, and peanut-chilli-coriander orgeat combined to make a bold, spicy, and nutty libation. Another must-try is the Japonesa’s Haiboru, a milder option with tequila, mezcal, chilli liqueur, coriander, peach umami, and pineapple soda. If you lean towards sweeter drinks, the Shinjuku Iced Tea—a take on the classic LIIT that glows green—is a potent, playful mix of gin, vodka, mezcal, rum, sake, cardamom, pandan, and melon cream soda.

And if you’re a Call Me Ten regular and cannot get enough of their classic cocktails, She’s Here serves five drinks from their menu, aptly named Call Me Ten OG. These include the Zen, a fragrant mix of pandan vodka, sake, berries, citrus, and passion fruit, and Tom Yum, with kaffir-infused gin, galangal, citrus, and a light coriander foam, among others. 

With moody vibes and playful dining, She’s Here charms—though she’s still finding her rhythm.

Meal for two: ₹5,000++ with alcohol

Timings: 6 pm to 1 am (from February, it will be noon to 1 am)

Address: HQ27 The Headquarters, Sector 27, Gurugram, Haryana 122009

Reservations: Call +91 93119 95612