Diwali at Trishna, Marylebone: Diwali, the Hindu festival of light is, as one of my friends explained, a celebration that’s a bit like Hindu Christmas. There are various stories associated with Diwali depending on where you come from. The explanation I like best is this excerpt from the Times of India Regardless of the mythological explanation […]
Matsya – Contemporary Indian Restaurant Mayfair
Dining at Matsya, Mayfair: There’s a pocket of Mayfair prime estate to the north of Green Park tube station which seems to have become a haven for contemporary Indian restaurants. Benares, Gymkhana and Jamavar are all places I’ve enjoyed and would happily recommend (as would the Michelin guide, all three are Michelin starred). Along with Tamarind […]
North Indian Restaurant in South Kensington – Thali
Thali – A hidden gem in South Kensington: South Kensington isn’t somewhere that immediately springs to mind for good Indian food. In fact, when I lived down the road, in West Brompton, I despaired of finding a good Indian restaurant and instead used to visit Taiwan Village to indulge in hot, spicy Taiwanese dishes. If […]
Cocktails and More at Talli Joe
Pauwas and Chakhnas at Talli Joe: Talli Joe is one of the newer establishments on Shaftesbury Avenue – one that you really need to know about. I was there to sample the ‘Pauwas and Chakhnas’ menu. In case you’re wondering what that means, it roughly translates to “a quarter bottle of a cocktail and a […]
The Bazaar comes to Liverpool Street – Anise gets a new look
Anise at Cinnamon Kitchen – The Bazaar: I’m a huge fan of Vivek Singh, a chef who has helped elevate Indian cuisine away from the old “3 pot” curry houses of the 1970s and 1980s and into fine dining. The Cinnamon Club is a favourite of mine for a special treat, and it always meets […]
Potli – Chaat Festival
Indian Market Food in Hammersmith at Potli A couple of years ago I visited a remarkable Indian restaurant in Hammersmith. Potli isn’t posh, it’s the kind of place you’d like to find round the corner from where you live, somewhere to pop in on a regular basis. It is, however, very different. What makes it […]
Bombay Brasserie – Review:
Revisiting an Old Favourite – Bombay Brasserie: There are few meals I remember from twenty years or so ago. A trip to Bombay Brasserie, though, is one such event. For a start, it was the very first time I had ever eaten an Indian meal that didn`t involve chicken korma or tikka masala. And, in […]
La Porte des Indes – Indian Food with a Difference
La Porte des Indes – French Colonial Indian Food in London: It’s always great to discover something a little different. Until now completely unaware of the presence of French colonies in India, I was fascinated by the idea that the regional food from areas like Pondichery, Chandaernargor and Yanoon would have a French touch […]