We've had our eye on the transformation of Washington Street's Penny Savings Bank for months. Now it's almost complete, with the highly-anticipated, aptly-named Banq (1317 Washington Street, Boston, 617.451.0077) opening this month. Co-owners Hemant Chowdhry and Mark Raab have enlisted chef Ranveer Brar, who worked most recently in New Delhi, to take charge of the kitchen; Brar's training is classic French (and Banq's cuisine is officially "French-inspired"), but he's been exposed to and inspired by the cuisine of Singapore, India, London, and Southeast Asia. Eastern-inspired cocktails, developed by beverage director Jay Leo, are sure to provide the perfect complement to the menu: think lemongrass-infused vodka and cinnamon-infused sake served with fresh muddled mango.
