Posts Tagged “Indian”
I have written a book about Indian restaurants but they were all in London. I review Indian restaurants almost every month but I have never reviewed one outside the UK hub of Indian food – our capital city. But here I was in a traditional English seaside town and a long way from home, and…
The original Jamavar opened in 2001 at The Leela Palace Bengaluru in India and was named among the World’s Top 10 Power Dining Spots by Forbes USA. Over the next few years it expanded to other internationally acclaimed Leela properties in New Delhi, Chennai, Goa and Mumbai. Jamavar London is the first overseas branch. The…
Situated in the heart of Mayfair, Benares serves Michelin-starred modern Indian cuisine and is famed for doing that. This is fine dining and gives other such restaurants a run for their culinary money, and that’s restaurants of any gastronomic persuasion. Named after India’s holy city, Benares, this restaurant offers only hints of its ethnicity in…
One might not have heard of Anise Bar but it’s likely the discerning diner will have heard of Cinnamon Kitchen by Vivek Singh. Perhaps one might not have heard of Devonshire Square but everyone has heard of the City of London. There are associations with India in the very fabric of the buildings here. Between…
The name had me curious from the start. There is an explanation, however. Joe is a ‘regular Joe’ indicating a casual inclusiveness and he could be from anywhere and going anywhere. That just about sums up London. The restaurant describes the Talli element thus: “Talli /T-uh-li/ tipsy (adjective), a happy intoxicated state of being, often…
The Charing Cross Road near Leicester Square Underground Station has not been famed for quality Indian restaurants. I confess I had never heard of Lotus but I arrived with high expectations as I had done my homework. This is a neat 65-cover contemporary restaurant in sophisticated grey tones. It’s in the heart of the West…
It seems a bit early for pondering Christmas presents but, trust me, it’s not. If you have a passionate food lover in your near vicinity you might want to ditch the summer holiday brochures for half an hour and consider a masterclass. There is a compelling reason why your Christmas (or birthday / anniversary /…
I first met Chef Gopalakrishnan when he was working at a Michelin-starred restaurant in London; a smart and charismatic young man who is known by his friends simply as Gopal. He was born in a small village called Sholingur in Tamil Nadu, 100km from Madras (now Chennai) into an orthodox Brahmin family who were vegetarian…
Here is a man to follow and a restaurant to watch. This new venture, Darbaar with Abdul Yaseen at the helm, has pedigree and polish and it’s no surprise! Located in the heart of London’s City square mile, Darbaar is rather conveniently situated. Not far from the travel hub of Liverpool Street Station and with…
From BBC Food Haggis works particularly well in these crispy onion bhajis. Ingredients For the bhajis 2 tbsp vegetable oil, plus extra for deep-frying 3 onions, sliced 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 red chili, chopped 200g/7oz cooked haggis 250-300g/9 oz-10½oz gram flour For the dip 300ml/10fl oz orange juice 100ml/3½fl oz white…
Gymkhana is an Indian word which originally referred to a meeting place. These days it tends to be an equestrian day event put on by posh pony clubs; but not in this case. Gymkhana in London does fit into the ‘meeting place’ category and it does have the feel of a nicely appointed casual club,…
Bombay Brasserie and Bar, Gloucester Road, South Kensington has been an A-lister for the great and the good as well as the just famous and now it has adopted a new, cool ivory-coloured persona in place of the Rajesque opulence it once flaunted. The restaurant has undergone a couple of transformations since it opened in…
This is one restaurant that I have visited and wondered why I had not done so long before now. Gaylord Restaurant was established in 1966 so I would have had plenty of time. Its location couldn’t be more convenient, being between two Underground stations and near shops and theatres. I guess that it has become…
It’s without doubt one of the best Indian restaurants in London. It’s housed in a historic grade II listed building near Westminster Abbey. It was once a library and evidently a striking one. Many original features have been retained, giving this unique restaurant a calming and timeless ambiance. Now Cinnamon Club is hosting wine evenings….
Carom the restaurant: named after the Indian spice. Carom seeds have a taste similar to thyme and are popular in Indian savoury snacks, so even the restaurant’s name invites the visitor to expect something delicious. Carom is a part of the D&D London restaurant group. They operate over 30 leading restaurants in London, Leeds, Paris,…
The area now known as King’s Cross is approximately 2 km north-west of the original Roman settlement of Londonium, and it’s thought to have been the site of a crossing of the Fleet River. It is also believed to be the location of the battle between Queen Boudicca and the Romans. Monks arrived in Essex…
The name Zaika means ‘fine flavour’ in a South Indian dialect, and this restaurant has been known for that since its opening in 1997, although now the owners, chef and managers have all changed. It’s a Grade II listed former bank building which would be described as having “many original features, with a striking dining…
I am spoilt. It’s true, I have marvellous invitations to eat, sample, savour the most delightful foods across the globe. Spicy dishes from Asia, decadent plates from Europe, comfort food in the USA. Yes, the best of everything has been generously offered and greatly appreciated. But then there is culinary tradition – and that’s another…
It’s possible that the names of both Arun Kapil and his company Green Saffron will be new to you but it’s likely that over the next year or so they will become, if not household, at least kitchen names. The man and the company are carving out a respectable place for themselves in Ireland and…
We in northern Europe have had a long and delicious relationship with spice. We tend to think it’s just been this modern era of the local curry house that has developed our taste for food with spice and colour. But consider those old recipes that predate the high-street Taj Mahal, those that go back further…