Win a fabulous cloth goody bag stuffed with chocolatey goodies courtesy Grenada Chocolate Festival

Modern Indian dining with a botanical themed menu

I am always intrigued by the concept of modern Indian and was drawn to this restaurant because of its unique menu. The restaurant is named after and their theme derived from a book titled Flora Indica by two botanists Joseph Hooker and Thomas Thomson. Located a short walk from Earls court station on Old Brompton Road, this stylish venue is fitting of its splendid surroundings.

I graduated with a degree in Lifesciences and have a natural interest in Botany and thanks to my Indian roots, I have a keen interest in Indian cuisine particularly the regional diversity. This is why I am always interested to see how traditional Indian food is interpreted either based on a theme such as this – Botanical and using British ingredients or fusion.

At first glance, the bold blue at the entrance and the prominently placed nameplate tend to draw people into this airy space. The huge lifesize blue telephone box immediately reminded me of The Tardis in Doctor Who and I think I was probably as excited as young Billy Piper was whooshing away into galaxies unknown!

Time travel to the Victorian era

The heavy metalwork and a large collection of objects ranging from botanicals stored in pretty glass jars to gas masks and an intricate network of copper and zinc pipes are a creative nod to the Victorian period. Imagine the excitement of the Scottish botanists as they journeyed through India all those years ago discovering exotic flora and fauna. Probably not in The Tardis though but just as exciting am sure.

The restaurant is very spacious with a seating of 30 on the ground floor and 70 in the plush downstairs area which is equally quirky in terms of decor.

As I made a wild dash to meet my friend, I had worked up a proper appetite by then, I found her seated sipping on an interesting herbal mocktail called Flavours of Indica. She described this mixture of pomegranate juice with coconut water, citrus and a homemade spice rub, as very refreshing. I picked a gin cocktail from their very unique cocktail menu. They have an extensive gin menu keeping in line with the botanical theme. Why not have a browse through her interesting blog post about her visit to a fine dining restaurant at Mayfair.

We decided to share some of the modern Indian small plates from the A la carte menu. The yellowfin tuna and baby leek dish was dressed in black and white sesame and chilli caviar – we both agreed that it was delicious.

The next dish, however, was our favourite – a soft shell crab coated in batter, Amritsari fish style and served with tadka mayo on a bed of mash made with King Edward potatoes.

The chef surprised us with an off-menu delight – crab cakes. Curried crab meat coated in a crunchy batter served with a tasty chilli tadka mayo.

For mains we shared a lovely selection of dishes, each one picking one curry dish. The rogan josh was perfectly cooked soft meat from a Suffolk lamb shoulder, slowly braised to release all its juices into the flavourful gravy sauce.

The corn-fed bergamot lemon chicken tikka was a very well-made dish. The creamy and makhani sauce demanded not to be left behind in the dish so we had to order some chilli garlic naan to mop it all up.

The beautifully presented basmati rice topped with pistachio and flavoured with fragrant kaffir lime leaf was very comforting, a great accompaniment to the curry dishes.

The sauteed curly kale and shredded Hispi cabbage side were a fabulous mix of flavours. Crunchy with strong undertones of ginger, enough to convert even the most determined kale sceptics.

Surprising how small plates tend to fill you up though, I do like this concept especially because it helps you monitor portion size.

Who can resist an offer for dessert and some much-needed dose of caffeine, especially in the later afternoon period? We succumbed to the tempting offer of kulfi semifreddo and shahi tudka. The shahi tudka looked and was as regal as its name sounds

The crunch of the brioche smothered in a saffron sauce made with heavy cream is balanced by the citrusy grilled pineapple. A very indulgent dessert – I would always pick this one over a cold dessert, probably just how my palate has been trained over the years.

The Kulfi semi Fredo is a nod to the popular Indian falooda, this version is basically a falooda deconstructed. The malai kulfi was fabulous and I could have poured a gallon more of the clove-spiced chocolate sauce on top, given a choice!

We sipped on some lovely herbal infusion teas and then were given a tour of the downstairs area. Prepare to be dazzled by the bright interiors.

Massive floral-shaped light fixtures adorn the walls and Harris tweed-lined upholstery softens the tone.

This spacious downstairs area too is available for private hire, events, gin tastings, cookery demos and more.

An average spend of £60 to £65 per person will include one cocktail, two starters, a main curry dish and one rice or naan and a side and one dessert. Though the menu leans towards the higher price bracket, the food is well worth it.

Visiting London soon? Check out my detailed guide to the London Bridge area here. Get an insider’s guide to the best local food, bars and hidden gems in the area.

*With thanks to my friend Le Binh and Flora Indica for the invite. All opinions expressed and photographs used are, as always, my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

Isleworth’s local Indian restaurant

Travelling in from Twickenham station on a chilly November evening, I arrive at Cinnamon Lounge just before evening opening time.

Chef- Patron Shameem Ahmed shares his journey from training at India’s famed Oberoi Hotel Group to owning and heading Cinnamon Lounge. Multi-award winning Chef Shameem is well known in the industry and is professionally trained with a degree in Hotel Management. Before venturing out on his own he has successfully headed at popular restaurants in Richmond and Brentford.

The whole restaurant has a very festive vibe going with the Christmas decorations up. As I settle in, being greeted by a very cheery member of their team, I decided to sample the Virgin Pinacolada. Creamy coconut goodness bursting with citrusy tropical flavours, sunshine in a glass this drink.

New Menu launch to celebrate a milestone

Chef-Patron Shameem has recently introduced a new menu which continues to offer authentic Indian dishes well-loved by their regulars but with some exciting Indo-Chinese offerings.

Delicious Starters

The best part of enjoying a meal with my fellow bloggers is the opportunity to sample varied dishes which really gives me a better understanding of the various dishes offered at the restaurant.

For meat and seafood starters, Heidi and I sampled a really mouth-watering selection. The Cinnamon Fish is one of their signature dishes, the white fish is lightly battered and fried with garlic and onions and garnished with nuts and mint

The crispy fried prawns are made with fresh prawns coated in a mix of spices and a thick batter. Though the prawns tasted fresh and had taken up the flavour of spices, I personally found the batter a bit thick.

Another signature non-veg starter we relished was the Chicken Mongolian, this Indo-Chinese dish is a favourite with the regulars and a dish that one must try. The chicken is marinated in a unique blend of spices with fenugreek and peanut. But for me, the Dry Vegetrain Manchurian dish was way more tempting than the chicken starter! Vegetable dumplings tossed ina soy-based sauce definitely hit the spot – they have just the right kind mix of spicy, tangy, crunchy notes that I love and enjoy and have grown to expect from any good Indo- Chinese Veg Manchurian. This starter definitely took me back to my days in Bombay

The start from the non-veg starters was, without doubt, the fabulous Kalmi Kebab – delicious whole legs of chicken marinated in a rich mix of spices and yoghurt ad chargrilled to give the perfect balance of smoky, juicy, tender meat which fell of the bone very easily. Best enjoyed with a generous drizzle of lime juice and a large dollop of green coriander chutney with scooped up for every mouthful 😉

We also sampled the some vegetarian starters, chosen by Nayna, which included the fabulous Dry Veg Manchurian along with the Punjabi samosas, Chilly Garlic Cauliflower ( which can be ordered as chilly garlic mushrooms or even mogo – which I think is brilliant!), Palak chat – which is nice twist to the traditional street food Bhel and last but definitely not the least – Bhindi Karari

The Bhindi karari should be awarded as the best dish of the evening, this is a great accompaniment to drinks or fabulous just sprinkled over plain rice and daal tadka.

Though the Jhinga Kalonji (Hindi- English – Jhinga – Prawn, Kalonji – Nigella), is part of the mains menu we enjoyed this dish as part of our starter spread. These delicately spiced, chargrilled prawns are juicy and impossible to resist.

It would be unfair not to mention the fried papad (popaddums) platter that was served with a selection of dips and chutneys – always a welcome crunchy snack to navigate the waiting period before starters arrive or after the mains to wash down with drinks.

Main course and sides

This was a real feast as we ate our way around a huge selection of amazing meat and vegetarian dishes all mopped up with beautifully fresh Naans from the breadbasket and a variety of rice dishes including a fragrant Pulav rice and fluffy perfectly cooked plain rice.

For our meaty mains, we relished -Dum ka Murgh – another signature dish this Hyderabadi speciality is cooked in a rich sauce of almonds and cashews inside a sealed pot giving the dish a fabulous texture and making the chicken almost disapper as it hits the palate. Gosht Kalimirchi, yet another signature dish which the chef recommends pairing with a buttery naan. Succulent pieces of soft-cooked lamb are flavoured in a rich pepper sauce. Butter chicken was done well and is a very popular dish which ranks high in my list of flavourful comfort foods, highly recommended for those who love Indian food but cannot handle the heat from strong spices. The Saag Gosht was a beautiful dish, perfectly cooked chunks of lamb cooked in a thick spinach gravy – great with a garlic naan and plain rice.

The lamb biryani had a generous amount of delicious lamb pieces and was served in a beautiful earthen pot, which of course all us instantly fell in love with.

A rich Daal Makhani, a smoky Baingan Bharta (Baingan – Aubergine) and a fresh off the tandoor Peshawari naan side completed the main course spread.

Indulging my sweet tooth

Dessert to share included warm gajar halwa – a popular Indian dessert made from grated carrot, delicious warm gulab-jamuns served with vanilla ice-cream (but served separately for our table as I cannot stand to mix the fabulously syrupy gulab-jamuns with a frozen scoop of ice-cream), thick kheer – which was very homely and came sprinkled with pistachios and we also tasted a portion of pista kulfi.

The food at Cinnamon Lounge is prepared by a skilled team which reflects in the consistent delivery of authentic Indian cuisine that boasts of refinement going hand in hand with traditional dishes.

Excellent neighbourhood Indian restaurant with great service and good food. The menu has a good variety and covers most of the popular North Indian dishes and Indo-Chinese specials.

Average bill size for two adults with drinks, starters, mains and dessert would be approximately £55 – assuming beer is the drink of choice and there are 2 starters, 2 mains, sides and a dessert each.

With its delicious menu and festive specials, this makes for the ideal choice of place for celebrations with plenty of space for large groups. They also have separate areas for lounge, bar and dining.

Cinnamon Lounge is ideally located for Twickenham rail station and the bustling high-street. Twickenham Road has several buses plying from a stop right outside the restaurant towards Twickenham, also there is ample parking space available. And for those days when you simply don’t want to move a muscle, then there is always the option of ordering food online 😉

*With thanks to Cinnamon Lounge for the invite. All opinions expressed and photographs used are, as always, my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

Blackhorse – Cosy pub with a garden in Kingston Upon Thames

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Newly refurbished Blackhorse Pub is the new contemporary hub for locals in the Norbiton and Kingston area. Conveniently located only minutes from Norbiton station and a very short walk from major bus routes from Kingston Station going via the hub towards Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Richmond, etc, not to mention its proximity to Richmond Park.

Stunning new interiors

The very attentive Pub manager suggested some we try some of the crowd favourites and even shared his most loved dishes from the menu. We tried some amazing crispy squid and the very knowledgeable bartender helped me pair it with some really good wine.

For mains, I picked the cod fillet served with crushed new potatoes, artichokes. Sitting on a bed of buttery goodness, garnished with capers and topped with delicate micro-herbs, the cod was cooked to perfection – succulent flaky white flesh and deliciously crispy skin – it would have been an absolute crime to not eat the crispy skin, best enjoyed with a scoop of buttery carby crushed new potatoes.

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The mister chose a man-sized main ( of course! ) – a hearty cheeseburger with the most gorgeous pickles, juicy meat middle sandwiched between soft buns. Every bite oozing with melted cheese and bursting with flavour. The side of chips was very moreish too.

The new Chef Giovanni Lezzi has done wonders for the menu by including some fabulous new dishes. The focus is on sustainability and the use of locally sourced ingredients. The menu also evolves with the seasons, ensuring there is always something new to sample, while also serving the good old pub classics.

We were so stuffed with our generous starters and mains that we decided to share one dish for dessert – a very indulgent chocolate cheese with perfectly poached pears and vanilla ice cream.

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The interiors are very warm and welcoming. I would have loved to lounge by the fireplace but it is very popular especially with the regulars – Can’t blame them really! The Blackhorse is also incredibly dog-friendly, they have the cutest mini barrel which stores water and there are plenty of doggie bowls to ensure your four-legged friend doesn’t go thirsty while you enjoy a chilled beer. There is also a big jar of tasty treats for your furry friend – Paw-tastic I say!

The Blackhorse Inn has ample outdoor seating and is perfect for lounging around in the summer while enjoying their BBQ menu. Also, perfect for hosting functions.

This erstwhile country pub has been updated and is now a very stylish pub with a well thought of menu. Spacious and cosy with plenty of comfortable seating, it is frequented by many locals who are regulars. A well-stocked bar with an extensive wine list, menus to cater to brunch, Sunday roast and even a special BBQ, they also host wine tastings.

*With thanks to Blackhorse, Kingston upon Thames for an invite. All opinions expressed and photographs used are, as always, my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

Kingston Upon Thames, is a beautiful part of southwest London which has many things to offer. Apart from the expected stunning views of Thames along the Riverside walk, there is a buzzing high street and an amazing Ancient Market. Home to Kingston University, this Royal borough is also home to some great educational institutions and also has its own arts venue – Rose Theatre.

Naturally, with so much happening in and around Kingston, the food scene is very exciting. From a very busy food market and most popular chains, there is also a fair spattering of local cafes and restaurants.

Food Scene at Kingston

The Riverside Walk though has fabulous views of the Thames and great outdoor seating. Chakra in Kingston occupies one of the best spots along the river, where you can spend hours enjoying an indulgent Indian meal, while watching ducks and swans bobbing around on the water, seemingly undisturbed by the occasional riverboat or enthusiastic university students practicing their rowing skills.

I have in the past written about a grand five-course meal that I enjoyed at Chakra at Kensington which you can read here. So naturally, when I was invited to review their brand new menu at Kingston, I was excited and expected a feast 🙂

Am glad to report that I was not disappointed. On a beautiful sunny afternoon a few months ago, Heidi and I enjoyed a delicious spread at Chakra in Kingston.

We picked the crowd favourite – Mango Lassi, the sweet and thick lassi does hit the spot and sets the mood for all the flavours to follow.

Amuse Bouche

The assorted papads which come with a selection of three very delicious chutneys and dips. I absolutely loved the spicy kick, crunch and texture of the sago popaddum.

Next came the Lucknowi samosa chaat was tangy and sweet with hints of chilli, everything you would expect in a good chaat dish.

For starters, we enjoyed the fabulous Tandoor selection of meat and veg. Succulent and smoky Hariyali Chikka Tikka, melt-in-the-mouth delicious Peshawari Lamb chops, extremely moreish Golden king prawn, a really soft Paneer Tikka, gorgeous Tandoori Gobi ( aka the humble cauliflower – so good – I would choose it over the meat – yes honestly!) and perfectly done stuffed peppers aka Bharwa Mirchi ( made me wonder what the secret spice mix that was used to stuff the juicy peppers)

The mains arrived on a huge tray heaving under the weight of all the food. The Good ole butter chicken is just that – a buttery smooth gravywith yummy soft chicken. To complete the meal we were served a selection of Naans fresh from the tandoor, Chakra House Daal, Saag Aloo, Saffron Rice, and pomegranate raita.

Chakra’s Gourmand Journey

To enjoy a similar spread, simply pick the sharing menu at Chakra, Kingston. Some dishes will vary based on seasonality like the fresh berry cheesecake which is their sweet sensation in the sharing menu (wow!)

Dessert was a grand affair

Dessert was as visually appealing as it was a feast for the palate. The prettiest malai kulfi I have ever had – topped with crushed nuts, dried rose petals, edible flowers and syrup – ummm.

Chakra has a menu that offers everything from the most popular North Indian dishes to tangy street food style dishes, all presented beautifully. An ideal choice to enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner with fabulous views of the Thames and Kingston bridge all year round.

*With thanks to Humayun Hussain and Chakra on Kingston for an invite. All opinions expressed and photographs used are, as always, my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

Eating out in today’s times, especially in London, leaves one spoilt for choice, not just with the plethora of amazing eateries offering so many popular cuisines but also, supper clubs and pop-ups. Especially for anyone looking for authentic regional cuisine or craving a more personal and homely dining experience, home run supper clubs are just the thing. And for all my vegetarian and vegan friends, I am happy to say that London has so much to offer!

Having hosted a few pop-ups myself, I am always excited and curious to explore this facet of the food culture in the capital.

Recently, I was invited to a modern Indian vegan supper club by Chef Saurav Nath, who has worked with some big names in India and London like the Taj Group and Gymkhana in Marylebone to name a few. I met him when he was heading up the kitchen at Inito – an Indian street food restaurant in London’s Spitalfields, which I had the pleasure of reviewing. (Interested to read my review of Intio? Go here)

Ever since, I have loved his style and creativity and couldn’t pass up an opportunity to see what his interpretation of modern vegan food would be like in the context of Indian cuisine. Also, an opportunity to enjoy a meal with my fellow food blogger and friend Heidi is always welcome.

The venue was Chakra on Holland Street (read my review here), set in the swank Kensington area of London. After a fashionably late start to the evening, which Heidi and I, noticed was due to the late arrival of some of the guests, we were served a very refreshing aperitif called – Kheera Jhal Jeera a zesty and moreish Cucumber & cumin refresher which was followed soon by an excellent Amuse Bouche. Gajjar aur Suryamukhi ka Shorba or Jerusalem artichoke & Chantilly carrot soup infused with curry leaf, mustard, asafoetida & sunflower seed. This mini portion served with bite-sized crunchy kale pakoras was a great teaser for the palate.

So far I was delighted by everything, the taste, the creativity, presentation and the beautiful names of all the dishes on the menu.

The starter was a bold combination of tofu and kidney beans to create a vegan version of the famous Awadhi mincemeat galouti kebabs, which I personally found to be okay. Considering I love eating meat, I think it was more to do with what taste I am familiar with than the dish itself. The wasabi yoghurt was good but the edible coal chutney sounded very exciting but didn’t do much for my palate.

Another interesting part of this menu was a fabulous mid-course dish called Chukandari Tikka – Tandoori grilled sous vide, braised beetroot tikka flavoured with aromatic garam masala, coconut chutney & mushroom pickle. The beetroot tasted good and the complex mix of flavours from the garam masala really packed a punch. I really liked the mushroom pickle too and I think it was a good combination with the beetroot, unlike the coconut chutney. The coconut chutney though delicious on its own, seemed a bit out of place with the other two stars on the plate.

After what seemed like a long wait, the beautifully presented mains were served. I must say I wasn’t expecting to see Patra – or plates made from dried leaves used to serve the mains in – of course, supported by regular plates below.

This traditional Indian disposeable environment-friendly plate is made from dried leaves and is very popular during Hindu poojas and normally prasad is served in them. I love this kind of patra as it has very convenient litle ‘compartments’ or depressions to serve daal and vegetables seperately!

The edible flowers added a nice touch to the Khichadi. The wild garlic and purple sprouting broccoli khichadi was okay, but the rhubarb chutney it was served was beautiful in every sense of the word. The Shahi jeera or royal cumin flavoured soya dumplings were tasty but very filling and the sauce they were served it was very good. Not easy to pull off am sure, considering the total lack of dairy flavouring! The kiwi raita was a pleasant accompaniment too.

To share, we were served a generous portion of Turai Poriyal, Dal Palak and Roti. Hot off the tandoor the roti was comforting with the spinach daal and felt very homely and wholesome, although I would have loved a big blob of ghee on the roti 😉

The Turai poriyal or courgettes cooked in grated coconut were really tasty and another dish that I would love to eat again. My tummy had given me the full capacity signal loud and clear, so nibbling on the dessert was the best I could manage.

The pineapple & coconut halwa samosas sat on a bed of gooey and sticky sago pudding. These were garnished with a dusting of gram flour caviar – or crumbled motichoor ladoos and pomegranate soil. Now motichoor ladoos, I could never resist and sago pudding albeit in a different version, is something I have grown up eating – we make it for days when we fast for religious purposes and it is a very welcome texture for my palate and therefore a familiar and very welcome taste. Coconut – both fresh and grated feature heavily in both our masalas and in our coastal curries and I like pineapple too. So a combination of these two popular tropical flavours that remind me of my Maharashtrian coastal cuisine was obviously a winning combination but can’t say I was a fan of the vegan outer casing of the samosa in which these beautiful ingredients were packed. Again something I shall say is a very personal opinion and interpretation.

Though some of the dishes didn’t shine through as much as the others, it was only because some of the dishes like the vegan shorba, the beetroot tikka, wasabi yoghurt, mushroom pickle and turai poriyal totally dominated over others on the menu. I would give five stars to the menu for its sheer creativity and the deceptive ease with which these dishes seem to have been created. I can only imagine how hard it must have been to create vegan versions of many of these dishes and serve a packed restaurant all courses at the almost the same time – which in my humble opinion is one of the biggest challenges any supper club host faces and therefore, a measure of success. Apart from the delay between the mid-course and mains, I really cannot think of anything to complain about – except that I would have loved to gulp down several glasses of that gorgeous aperitif – Kheera Jhal Jeera!

Modern interpretations of classic recipes are always difficult to pull off and even more so for an audience as discerning as the one from London. But I think Chef Saurav Nath has really pushed the boundaries and created some truly beautiful vegan versions of popular Indian dishes. So would I recommend going to his supper club? Oh absolutely!

*With thanks to the host – Food and Hospitality Consultant Humayun Hussain, Chef Saurav Nath and Heidi for an invite. All opinions expressed are as always, my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.