Restaurant Reviews - Travels for Taste

Pure – authentic Indian Cooking at Fulham, London

April 14, 2017 by manjirichitnis Leave a Comment

Fulham High street is always buzzing with activity and is dotted by an assortment of eateries. Nestled among them is one hidden gem called Pure Indian Cooking. With a female chef, Shilpa Dandekar at the helm this is a neighbourhood restaurant with a loyal set of patrons.

The minimalist interiors at Pure belie the superior quality of food and service served up by the husband-wife duo. who have worked with some of London’s finest high-end names. Chef Shilpa has worked with the likes of Chef Raymond Blanc OBE. Both Faheem and Shilpa began their career with the Taj group and then continued to work with big names like The Bombay Brasserie and the Michelin-starred Quilon.

Cocktails with familiar Indian flavours like mango and chilli, I always find very tempting and the Mango Chilli Margarita at Pure is quite bold and refreshing.

We tried a range of starters but loved the Patra Chaat and seared scallops the most. What makes the patra chaat so special is the fusion of a popular street food – chaat with all it’s lively flavours married to a very homely familiar taste – that of patra or fried colocasia leaves. One bite of the patra and memories of my aai making ‘aloo chya vadya’ (patra in marathi) came flooding, reminding me how much I miss watching her cook, especially during Ganpati when she always very painstakingly makes these from scratch.

The scallops are fresh and the flavours are brilliant. The kebabs were fabulous simply they were cooked to perfection. The spices used for marination come through in every juicy mouthful and meat lovers will be left wanting for more.

With the starters setting the bar high, we were expecting a great set of dishes for mains to follow as well. And Chef Shilpa did not disappoint. Crab kokum fry – crab shell stuffed with spicy crab meat – was our favourite. Inspired by dishes the chef has eaten in her childhood home in the western coastal parts of India, dishes like the crab kokum fry, Lamb sukke and Mango curry are simple homely yet delightful dishes created with love and passion which clearly shine through.

I would also highly recommend the lassoni palak – leafy spinach cooked to a creamy consistency and tempered with burnt garlic – perfect with a large helping of rice and some prawn masala – ummm – so comforting and satisfying.

The Apricot Halwa is very moreish, as the different flavours are delicately balanced together. A dessert such as this befitting of a trained and experienced chef’s repertoire.

True to its name, the food at Pure is just that – pure, earthy and full of flavour yet with crafted with expert knowledge and the very best ingredients and produce. I would go back purely for the

I would go back purely for the patra chaat, crab kokum fry and the lamb dish and we do hope to make the most of the fact that this delightful restaurant is in our neck of the woods. But for those who can’t get to Fulham, there is a great opportunity to sample this talented chef’s cooking at her supper club called the ‘Modern Indian regional journey’. To book the supper club and to explore the menu in detail head to the restaurant’s website.

*With thanks to Humayun Hussain for the invite and Chef Shilpa Dandekar and Faheem for their warm hospitality. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Shampan at The Spinning Wheel revisited

October 16, 2016 by manjirichitnis 1 Comment

Last time I was at Shampan in Kent it was a very sunny and bright summer afternoon and I remember O.D ‘ing on the cocktails and accompanying papad. This time around we were all wrapped up with the gentle early autumn sunshine playing peek-a-boo with the looming grey clouds hovering above.

This British Curry Award-winning, large and modern flagship outlet is very popular amongst its patrons in the local area and has recently launched a New A la Carte Menu.

We managed to make it in the nick of time what with delayed trains on the Southern line. On much insistence from the eager waiting staff I gave in decided to choose a cocktail over a mocktail (Not that I needed much convincing !)

An adaptation of the porn star martini this one packs a punch is in my opinion a great accompaniment to the Basil Scented Tiger Prawns with Desi Honey and Pepper Vinaigrette starter.

Encouraged by the brilliant taste of the first cocktail my defences completely crumbled and I had to sample the Lychee martini which was brilliant.

Lychee Martini - Shampan at the Spinning Wheel

Chef Sadek’s assorted grilled Hor’s d’oeuvres with Paneer, king prawn, chicken, lamb, salad and a relish is ideal for sharing and is a great way to a variety of different meats and vegetables on one platter. Presented on a slate tray this appetiser was quite popular around the table.

Tiger Prawns starter - Shampan at the Spinning Wheel

Assorted grilled Hor's d’oeuvres at Shampan the Spinning Wheel

The onset of colder weather always makes me crave a flavourful meat curry and the Hyderabadi spiced lamb with pilau rice was really tempting. The Shampan group prides itself on sourcing most of their ingredients locally and this main is made by slow cooking marinated Kentish lamb shank. The meat takes up all the rich flavours of the marinade and is fall of the bone soft, topped with moreish roasted vegetables it tastes great with a comforting side of flavoured pilau rice. I was quite fascinated by the thin slivers of okra used as a garnish which were flavoured with a light masala mix and flash-fried to make them absolutely delicious, crunchy and a far cry from the usual homely version of okra that we are used to.

Hyderabadi spiced lamb shanks & Pilau rice at Shampan the Spinning Wheel

The mister decided to try the Slow braised leg of kentish lamb ‘salli’ with straw potatoes with biryani rice for his mains because the salli bit reminded us both of grand Parsi meals we have enjoyed over the years especially at Parsi weddings and Navjote ceremonies.

The assembly is very well- thought of with the juicy slow cooked lamb resting on mince and a fried onion surrounded by a thick aromatic gravy with perfectly done basmati rice biryani topped with wafer thin sliver of potatoes deep fried – just the right crunch to garnish a fabulous main.

Slow braised leg of kentish lamb ‘salli’ with straw potatoes and biryani rice at Shampan - the Spinning wheel

Some of the dishes that the other guests enjoyed were Punjabi red spiced chicken breast served with sautéed spinach, pilau rice and Kerala spiced king prawns tempered with curry leaf and served with a thick coconut milk sauce accompanied with coconut rice.

Punjabi red spiced chicken breast - Shampan at the Spinning Wheel

The naan platter was fabulous too and the pipping off naans disappeared almost as soon as the basket was set down.

The dessert platter was grand affair with gajar halwa and an ice cream resting on a bed of crushed crunchy biscuit base and a beautifully fresh whole fig on the side.

Executive Chef Sadek Miah has created an truly delightful new menu with exciting and bold combinations with keeping in mind classic Indian recipes. The results are visually stunning, beautifully presented palate pleasing dishes that are sure to become very popular. The venue itself is very charming and a would make a great day out in the “Garden of England” not just for dinning out but as a party or celebration venue. The bar and main dining area at the Tamarind Room offers a spacious dining area done up in muted colours comfortable lattice wood chairs. Perfect for quite, intimate moments whereas the Caraway overlooks the garden and is bright and airy.

Shampan even caters for private functions with a dedicated space – the Saffron Room – a plush setting with it’s own huge bar and a generously proportioned classy function room.

Don’t leave without a cup of coffee to wash down all those spices, a great way to round off a superb meal.

*With thanks to Humayun Hussain and Shampan Group for an invite. All opinions expressed are as always my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

Review – Chakra – Indian Fine Dining restaurant unveils new menu at Kensington, London

October 6, 2016 by manjirichitnis Leave a Comment

Having sampled the food at Chakra over two years ago, I was quite excited to see how the menu had evolved after it’s relaunch at Holland Street in upmarket Kensington.

Accompanied by the usual suspects, Nayna and Heidi, I settled in with a healthy appetite that I had managed to work up by salivating over the menu for almost over a week.

After sipping on fruity mocktails and cocktails with mini poppadums on the side, we got stuck into the starters. The deconstructed version of samosa came in the form of flat mini pastry spheres topped with a sweet potato & pea mixture finished off with swirls of tamarind chutney.

We also sampled the tandoori paneer, basil and mint Chutney – a good dish done really well and the soft and perfectly done chicken tikkas served with a chutney.

The baby spinach Fritters,we agreed unanimously, were the best starter from our selection. Served with a Spinach Galouti ( which was received with mixed emotions) and a dainty little blob of radish and spinach salad – this is definite winner.

No Indian meal is comeplete without some comforting daal-chaawal so Meloni dhal was a must with some simple steamed basmati – lovely long grains cooked to perfection.

While Heidi savoured seafood biryani with a side of sweet potato, Nayna relished an unusual but tasty vegetable dish featuring purple potato and ivy gourd. The star on the table though was the fabulous tandoori poussin – a magnificent dish of meat and spices cooked in a hot tandoor until the meat is ready to simpl fall off the bone with a gentle prod with a fork ummm. I also sample a sides okra which was scooped up in greedy portions with the buttery naans.

Never one to say no when presented with a dessert menu, I picked the Gulab Jamun Caviar ( what?! )- with pistachio toast and cardamom cream was undoubtedly the showstopper of the evening. Worthy of winning the title for the best fusion version of a very traditional but extremely loved Indian sweet, this one truly took my breath away.

The Mango Kulfi does a playful twist on the bog standard Indian forzen dessert. Moresih and creamy mango kulfi cubes resembling mini slabs of butter sat atop glass tubes filled with mango juice ( which I found overtly sweet) while freshl mango bits were chilled and served on the side in a generous portion. Like the Gulab jamnun caviar this dish was welcomed to our table with much glee.

Head Chef Tai Khan’s new menu takes fusion cuisine and bold combinations to new heights. Amongst the many new items on the menu, the most notable starters are Tandoori tiger prawns,

Mains not be missed out on are : Tandoori Poussin, Tandoori Gressingham Duck Breast, Figs; and Clay Oven Cooked Black Cod, Saffron, Samphire.

But undoubtedly the desserts here ‘take the cake’ with the Gulab jamun caviar taking home the crown for the most tastefully presented and creatively conceived treat for all senses.

Perched on a pretty cobbled street, it’s cosy welcoming interiors done in grey and large framed photos depicting scenes from rural India, this restaurant also has an alfresco dining area.

A renowned and experienced name for over 15 years in bespoke catering and events planning, Chakra Events receives huge catering assignments from a very demanding client base both within the UK and the international circuit.

Chakra has won the Best Caterer South Award at the influential British Asian Wedding Awards in 2015 and the catering arm has client spread as far and wide as Italy, France and the Netherlands through to Austria, Greece, India and more. Chakra Events offers varied cuisines like Pan-Asian, Lebanese and North African to European and Mexican apart from flavours derived from North Indian dishes.

For MD Arjun Varma, Chakra on Holland Street, is yet another feather in the cap catering to a global clientele who not only appreciate the restaurant but also their much in demand events catering.

Chakra on Holland Street - Gulab Jamun Caviar

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

Hoppers, SOHO – a review

August 18, 2016 by manjirichitnis 13 Comments

To anyone familiar with Sri Lankan cuisine, appams are no stranger. Re-christened as Hoppers in the colonial times, these light dosa like crepe’s also come in a fluffy stringy avatar much like idli in a ‘ramen burger’ form, are traditionally known as ‘idiyappam’ To try the Hoppers and more, served at the much talked about restaurant in SOHO, by the same name, I decided it was finally time to brave the queue’s. Accompanied by Asma, we managed to get there just in time before the crazy lunch hour rush started. We wanted to have a catch up and conversation always flows better when the ambience is right and the food is good.

Hoppers, SOHO, is another successful venture, conceptualised by the Sethi siblings, who are the minds behind Trishna, Gymkhana, Lyles’s, Bubbledogs and Bao.

While queuing up, I took a peek inside – the wicker thatched roof, wooden furniture, intricately patterned tiles on the floor and tables, yellow lighting – everything reminded me of an old Gymkhana back in India, oozing old world charm and character. Once seated inside you will notice the brightly painted Kathakali masks on a sunny yellow wall facing the bar.

Lovely wicker and wood panels inside Hoppers

The menu features what is known as short eats – basically, smaller portions like the ones served as snacks from road side food shanties. Similar to the greasy but very satisfyingly delicious spicy fried dal fritters served wrapped in newspaper cones or placed on pages torn out of old note-books and dolloped with scoops of spicy green coconut chutney.

My lunch companion Asma ( she who runs the fab Darjeeling Express) and I decided on hot buttered devilled prawns, bone marrow varuval and brinjal moju.

The rich, smooth and deliciously spiced gravy in which the bone marrow is served is finger licking good. The generously scattered fresh green curry leaves add that curry flavour to the sauce – we mopped it up with the string hoppers later. One bite into that luscious bone marrow and there is no turning back. In contrast, the prawns are fiery hot and smothered in butter, though not scathing, they are not for the faint-hearted. Asma’s Bengali palate approves of the succulent prawns so I would say give it a go – just have the cooling masala buttermilk at hand to wash down all the spice and grease.

Mains at Hoppers, SOHO

Onto the mains we picked the egg hoppers with fish kari and lamb kari. The Hoppers come with pol sambol, seeni sambol and a coriander chutney.

Pol sambol, seeni sambol and coriander chutney - Hoppers

Pol sambol is delightful relish made with Maldive fish and coconut. I am a great fan of seafood in general and love pickled seafood a lot. The seeni sambol is a Sri Lankan version of caramelised onion chutney. Together these little sides provide a fun adventure for your taste buds as you dip your cripsy hoppers into the kari and mop up the sauces.

The crispy edges of the hopper and the fluffy centre are both satisfying and filling and the fried egg in the center for me was just perfect. Dip the crunchy edges of the hopper or dunk large chunks of string hoppers into the oozing egg yolk and then scoop up some of the lamb kari – you won’t regret it.

I love how the hopper is both like a crispy plain dosa and fluffy like a steamed idli and filling like a neer dosa all in one. The egg on top just makes it so much better.

We also tried the Lamb kothu roti and although the lamb is hidden under a majority of veggies and roti it is quite a good dish as a filler. I am not a fan of kothu though, so I won’t miss it too much next time around and would really like to see more lamb in the dish.

The masala dosa comes with a very homely sambar and a fabulous sweet potato curry, I only wish there was more of that curry as it is simply amazing. The crisp dosa has a spicy dry chutney called podi scattered inside and a generous amount of perfectly done potato sabzi inside – you cannot fault this dish in any way which.

The Brinjal moju side is very tangy and the strong taste of vinegar is balanced by the spices used with the aubergine. Again this is something I could not get enough of.

The string hoppers come with pol sambol and Kiri hodi which is aSri Lankan coconut milk gravy with Maldive fish and fenugreek. I have mixed feelings about the Kiri hodi but they seem to be leaning towards love rather than hate. Perhaps more trips to Hoppers are required for me to make up my mind. Asma and me hungrily wiped down the remaining sauce from the bone marrow varuval with the string hopper – oh that sauce!

I would have loved to try the duck heart chukka and durian flavoured ice cream and then probably wash it all down with some string Tamil Nadu Kaapi. Unfortunately, there was no way I couldn’t eat anymore and had to take away a lot of the food. And the head Chef Suresh Pillai spoilt us by sending us generous portions of dishes to sample, that in addition to what we had ordered was more than we could possibly consume.

Over the past few years, AK and I have been to many Sri-Lankan restaurants around London. As expected they are to be found in the suburbs, notably in Tooting and East Ham. Our all – time favourite has got to Jaffna House – a no-fuss cheap and cheerful place where you can eat till you are ready to explode at the seams but still not draw up a bill of more than £20. So to be standing in a queue in SOHO for Sri-Lankan food was not something I was expecting. But am so glad I did and that too with a fab companion like Asma. For once, I didn’t have to apologise for taking photos from all possible weird angels with not just my camera but my phone too – of course – for all those social media channels that need feeding 😉

One of the many reasons that puts Hoppers in a class by itself in comparison to the other Sri Lankan restaurants is the entire ambience that they have so thoughtfully managed to create – the wood panelled interiors, framed posters, the gorgeous rustic hammered copper plates, those tiled tables, the efficient service and of course the food!

I most certainly plan to be back, to brave that queue, this time with hubs AK in tow, and no there won’t be any camera in sight. Just us and – the food.

Average bill person with one starer and one side to share, one main and one non-alcholic drink – £25 approx (without alcholol and dessert)

Don’t miss out on – Bone Marrow Varuval, Crab Kari on the specials menu if available – it is absolutely divine!

Disclaimer: Unless mentioned that I was invited to review, I foot my own bill when eating out and have written this review purely out of a passion of sharing my love of good food. I was not required to write a positive review and was not compensated monetarily for this post. Thanks to Chef Suresh Pillai for treating Asma and me to some complimentary dishes.

Experience modern Indian cuisine at The Painted Heron, Chelsea

June 21, 2016 by manjirichitnis 4 Comments

Experience modern Indian cuisine at The Painted Heron, Chelsea – a review

Friday evenings are everyone’s favourite day to well just let their hair down, to relax and let the pressure of deadlines from the week gone by settle down for a bit. That is reason enough to want to celebrate with a great meal.

If you can manage to get a date night on a Friday then it’s an even bigger bonus in my diary.

After what seems like a lifetime, we finally managed to find time for a quite dinner out for two last Friday evening. And we couldn’t have picked a better place to spend it at than the Fine dining restaurant – The Painted Heron. Situated in South Chelsea it is nestled at the exit of a quiet residential lane.

Quitely understated this riverside restaurant is perfect for when you are looking to indulge in modern Indian cuisine and enjoy a good wine list. After all, it is amongst the top 20 secret London restaurants that foodies love and is headed by acclaimed award-winning Chef patron Yogesh Datta.

We choose to sit at a cosy table facing the Heron Terrace. In spite, of the rain it was quite warm and a Champagne Cocktail was in order. It set the mood for our fabulous starters. Wild soft-shell chilli crabs on a skewer were plated so beautifully on a vintage plate and served with tree unusual chutneys. The crunchy batter was a mixture of sesame, chilli and lager, very moreish.

Soft shell crabs starters at The Painted Heron

The orange chutney gets its distinct flavour from crumbly goats cheese and the maroon chutney has plum and berry flavours – just one example of how traditional dishes have been interpreted to create a distinctive and unique menu.

The chicken tikka three ways, was everything you would expect from tandoor grilled chicken on skewers – deep smoky and juicy flavours lending themselves to succulent melt in your mouth chicken. The modern twist to this dish is the kala chana and potato side it is served which sits on a bed of freshly ground coconut chutney – delightful and a revelation of how unexpected flavours and ingredients come together to create this tasty combination!

Chicken tikka three ways starter at The Painted Heron

Minced Wagyu beef was an unexpected but fantastic choice for the chapali kebab starter, traditionally made with lamb. Served with tangy tamarind chutney the kebabs are paired with rice served in a small coconut shell.

Wagyu beef chapali kebab at Painted Heron

If these starters have amazed you, the creative dishes on main course will leave you spellbound. Dishes like peasant supreme sit alongside wild boar curry and venison haunch steak. Much as we would have liked to let our taste buds continue their journey into these wildly fantastic sounding dishes, we decided to keep it simple for the main course.

The vegetarian and meat thali’s come with there different curries, naan, plain rice, salad and curd raita. Served in rustic plates with the finish of old silver, the plating looks fit for royalty.

The fried okra in batter on the veg thali is brilliant and chicken curry from the meat thali is great with plain rice.

Thalis are a great way to sample several dishes in one mini meal.

Chilean Casabalanca Pinot Noir was a good accompaniment to our meal, balancing all those complex spices with the deep fruity notes.

Many of the other patrons were regulars and knew the staff well, many took their wine glasses along and sat outside at the Heron Terrace. We followed suit…

A perfectly cosy little spot to enjoy the late evening light and the warm summer air.

There is also a Heron Al Fresco menu to explore if you so choose.

It’s amazing how after a heavy meal we manage to crave for a little sweet something and the sorbet trio was perfect to share for two. It was a close call between the coconut and the mango sorbet but we both agreed that the coconut sorbet was the best.

This gem of a restaurant really does deserve every bit of praise it gets and then some more, with top marks for creative combinations that work well and traditional Indian food that you cannot fault.

After your meal, do not miss out on the opportunity gaze at the beautifully lit Chelsea Bridge. Such a pleasing sight especially on a rainy night it really is rather romantic. Also, a great spot to wait while you call an uber or if you get lucky with the weather simply walk along the A320 for sweeping views of the Chelsea bridge.

*With thanks to Humayun Hussain and The Painted Heron for an invite. All opinions expressed are as always my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

Bangalore Express – new A la Carte Menu reviewed

June 8, 2016 by manjirichitnis Leave a Comment

Set in the heart of the City, Bangalore Express owned by acclaimed Chef-Patron Yogesh Datta, has a versatile menu offering loads of options to cater to every palate. On a pleasantly warm spring evening a large group of journalists and freelancers like me were invited to enjoy the launch of new A la carte menu.

Greeting familiar faces, as everyone arrived was a great way to settle in. The ‘Bindass bar’ is located on the ground floor and the stainless ‘dabbas’ that adorn the back wall reminded me of Mumbai’s efficient dabbawallas, ferrying impossible looking tiffins expertly balanced on their head snaking through busy and crowded railway stations. No wonder that the one of the cocktail’s is called Shantaram ( a very common name, also reminded of the book Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts) – which has amongst other flavours – mango and vodka.

I would highly recommend the new cocktail aptly titled ‘Bangalore Summer’. Strong flavours spicy green chilli and fragrant coriander delicately balanced with gin to create a refreshing summer drink – a pleasant reminder of cuisine typical to the southern states in India. Punchy and refreshing this cocktail seemed to be the popular drink of choice that evening.

The menu has all the usual classic dishes one would expect in any casual dining Indian restaurant, but the reason this place is such a firm favourite with not just the huge expat population that works in the city, but also with corporate clientele is the sheer variety of dishes they offer.

We ordered a selection of dishes from the starters and small platters, also the grilled sharing platter to really get the table buzzing.

The lollipop chicken from the Indo-Chinese small plates does not disappoint and is exactly what I was expecting – sweet and sticky chicken drumsticks with a crunch and a kick of red chilli with a hint of sesame flavour. The chilli squid is a fusion of flavours and a great accompaniment to summer cocktails.

The Nepalese momos – both the steamed chicken and tandoor grilled vegetable dumplings seemed to be popular with the other guests. I had to resist because compared to tandoori prawns they didn’t stand a chance;)

Steamed chicken dumplings - Nepalese momos

Without doubt, the star dish from the grilled sharing platters is the deluxe prawn platter which I shamelessly pretended to share with the two ‘foodies’ seated next to us. I could have asked for another platter if it had not been for the absolutely fabulous crispy okra chips. Very moreish these chips are coated with a light batter that is deep fried to a give it a deep golden colour. Devoured it dipped in tangy raw mango chutney and I guarantee you will greedily ask for more, just like we did.

Other gems like from the grilled sharing platter like the long chicken tikka skewer and mixed mini has some enthusiastic takers 😉

For mains, while I choose the rustic Marathi chicken curry on the bone, my friend ordered a crispy dosa – masala mash. The curry was very homely and is best paired with chapatis rather than rice. A surprise winner for me that evening though was a Punjabi boiled egg curry, It was so comforting and delightful that I would go back just for that one dish ( oh and the okra chips too!)

There is also a Deluxe dish section in the new menu with tempting offerings like the Asian seabass Nilgiri curry and culinary inspiration from around the world finds a place too in the big plates section. With offerings such as the Anglo-Indian fish and spicy chips, Dhaka Biryani to South African bunny chow all vying for attention. If that does not interest you then the popular ”Curry Plate Matrix” which lets you customise and build your own dish with a protein added to a curry base of varying degrees of heat, a choice of sides and also a choice of different types of rice – this matrix is a very creative option.

Express thali’s and old favourites sit nicely alongside vegetarian delights Paneer Lababadar and Bagare Baingan – an ode to the humble aubergine.

Great variety of dishes at Bangalore Express

What makes this new menu so good is the fact that it reminds me of the way menu’s have evolved at my favourite casual dining restaurants back in Mumbai. All the usual suspects like Chicken sweet corn soup – an Ind0-Chinese favourite, to fish Koliwada for starters, are dishes I identify with. What delighted me most, was a Maharashtrian Chicken curry on the bone – a very homely treat best mopped up with several chapatis hot off the tawa with just the right amount of ghee trickling off the sides.

Mango ras malai topped with pistachios seemed like an appropriate way to appease my sweeth tooth, creamy and satisfying this dessert is apt for the summer months.

This gem of a restaurant nestled in Gracehurch Street opposite the iconic Leadenhall Market is a fail-safe choice for popular Indian curries, crispy dosas, cracking cocktails and popular Indo- Chinese favourites amongst other food. For the more homesick crowd – the breakfast menu with its masala chai and the homely curries will definitely hit the right spot.

*With thanks to Humayun Hussain, Chef-Patron Yogesh Datta of Bangalore Express for the invite. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Afternoon Tea amidst art at The Wallace Collection

February 29, 2016 by manjirichitnis 12 Comments

One of the things I love about London is the many free museums and art galleries that one can go to and spend a few happy hours at.

Hertford House which houses The Wallace collection is nestled in a quiet street just off the buzzing Oxford Street. The stunning historic townhouse is home to 25 galleries housing everything from the world-class armoury to Old Masters paintings.

Grand entrance stairwell at The Wallace Collection

In 1871 thanks to the political upheaval in France, Comte de Nieuwerkerke was looking to sell off his huge collection of French art collection. Which happened to be around the time that Sir Richard Wallace came into money and was looking to expand his inherited art collection. This is how The Wallace Collection came into being. Thanks to this turn of events, a spectacular and renowned collection of medieval and renaissance works of art and arms and armour are available for viewing to us to this day

Amongst the many galleries, not to be missed is The Great Gallery which has been described as “the greatest picture gallery in Europe.”

Though this national museum has free admission, I was invited as a guest by The Wallace Restaurant courtesy of my friend Fiona MacLean who blogs at London Unattached, to sample their delicious afternoon tea in the magnificent in-house restaurant. A huge central glass-covered courtyard is a haven, minutes away from the crowds and noise of one of London’s busiest shopping areas. Flooded with natural light the atrium restaurant offers an alfresco dining experience.

A huge central glass-covered courtyard is a haven, minutes away from the crowds and noise of one of London’s busiest shopping area. Flooded with natural light the atrium restaurant offers an alfresco dining experience.

Glass enclosed central courtyard at The Wallace Collection,Lodon

A group of us food bloggers (Madeleine, Heidi, Jess, and Emma) were seated at a large table inside the stunning courtyard. I loved the experience of sitting in a large open space yet not being exposed to the elements – almost like a secret hideaway. The natural light made clicking pictures that much more enjoyable experience.

The seating arrangement at the restaurant at The Wallace Collection

I choose to have a pot of fruity herbal tea, my pick was the orange rooibos – a blush pink coloured, light, and fragrant tea. I think it was a perfect accompaniment to the freshly prepared finger sandwiches.

I managed to devour most of the large scone with a blob of clotted cream and some Peyton and Byrne preserve. We were also served an eclair with burnt caramel and creme’ chantilly, lemony madeleines, and amaretti biscuit with orange zest. I nibbled at all of the sweet treats but enjoyed the eclair the most although I must admit the burnt caramel topping was too sweet for my taste buds. I most enjoyed the sandwiches and the tea and a glass of Champagne.

Fresh large scone with clotted cream and preserve at The Wallace Collection

For £26 with Champagne, this afternoon tea is an absolute treat, especially since one can really relax in the enclosed courtyard after a spot of gazing at paintings and gawking at magnificent Objets d’Art.

Curious to explore more options for Afternoon Tea in London? Why not browse through my blog and read about my experiences in various places:

*With thanks to The Wallace Collection and Fiona for the invite. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review. As always all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Global Street Food Kitchen – bringing International favourites to London

January 19, 2016 by manjirichitnis 18 Comments

The first of a chain of restaurants soon to open in London, Global Street Food Kitchen has opened its first outlet in the busy mall which houses ASDA in Hounslow East.

Not to be confused with the regular multi-cuisine restaurants which often manage to serve up sub-standard food with confusing menus and buffet style dining. Global Street Food Kitchen has a well researched A la Carte menu concept backed up by a philosophy of sourcing which an emphasis on provenance. For instance usage of only the very best herb fed, free range chicken from Pilmoor Farm, in Yorkshire, similarly only organic tomatoes to go with the pizza flour and cheese for the pizza which are imported from Italy.

No wonder then that the Butter chicken was delightful not just in taste but texture and managed to enhance the robust spices used in the marination. This dish is a firm favourite with me when it comes to North Indian food. It is a very popular Indian dish and most roadside ‘dhabas’ (little shanties that dot the national highways) serve this indulgent curry with buttery parathas – fuel for all those driving long distance on dusty roads in temperatures hitting 40 deg cel plus.

When I first walked into GSF with my friend the first thing we noticed was the cool college canteen style look which screams ‘shack’ or ‘tapri’ (meaning a small roadside stall in Marathi, usually built with scrap material lifted off construction sites like scaffoldings and wooden planks). The rustic feel is emphasised by the functional but dhaba style furniture and wooden effects.

I especially liked the open plan kitchen and bar area.

The wood fired oven adds a comforting warm glow to the huge open plan kitchen.

The massive warehouse style space which can house a large number of guests has a very welcoming vibe.

With so many tempting dishes on offer I really was at a loss at where to start sampling. I picked my top 2 fav’s – Pani Puri is my absolute favourite when it comes to Mumbai street food and I also can’t resist seafood especially Prawn Koliwada – blame it on my roots – a true blue Bombayite aka Mumbaikar and a Maharashtrian with a staple diet of fish curries – I go weak in the knees at the very sight of prawns.

One bite of these crispy spicy prawns and there’s no going back folks!

Clearly, consultant Chef Shailesh Deshmukh and Head Chef Sudhir Jadhav who have worked together to conceptualise the menu have found just the right mix for the various spices and techniques to perfect global street food classics. With Oriental, Indian, Mexican, British, Italian and American cuisines on the menu there is something to satiate every type of street food craving. All ingredients are sourced from high-quality suppliers and farms and the proof lies in the fresh flavoursome food which does justice to its respective cuisine.

Consultant Chef Shailesh Deshmukh brings with him a rich background of experience gained at establishments like The Dorchester, Marriott, Hyatt, Four Seasons and Jumeirah, that coupled with boundless energy and passion has resulted in the creation of dishes like this Bakarwadi chaat – presented so tastefully, to tempt even the most discerning palate. Bakarwadi is a classic snack from Pune in the state of Maharashtra India – best described as a spicy crunchy fried spring roll like savoury snack, made famous by ‘Chitale Bandhu’ – Pune’s premier purveyors of traditional Maharashtrian sweets and snacks. No trip to India is complete for me unless I queue up outside Chitale Bandhu to buy freshly made bakarwadi by the kilo 😉

To keep us hydrated we had a fabulous mocktail called Tamarind Chilli – love the way they describe it on the menu too, very entertaining! I also like the cocktail called Mr.Gatsby – potent but refreshing all at once.

We also sampled the crispy aubergine which are so morish we could have easily eaten a few more portions but there was so a tempting variety of dishes to sample we had to do justice to all of them 😉

A medley of flavoursome global street food

L-R: Mexican Quesadilla, side of sauteed spinach with shallots, onion rings, Wall Art – a world map with a difference at GSF, a juicy GSF classic beef burger served with hand-cut triple cooked chips.

I was very keen to try Misal Pav which hails from the state of Maharashtra in India, done well this dish is a absolute delight. A combination of a humble legume and sprouts curry spiced with sev and served with a soft ‘paav’ bread. At GSF they this spicy curry topped with fresh ‘farsan’ commonly known as the Bombay Mix, with a side of a delicious mystery sauce which is to be poured on the top.Finally the dish is topped off with finely chopped red onions and a generous squeeze of lime. No wonder this dish won the ‘Foodie Hub Award’ in London last June!

One of the reasons this dish is so delicious is the bread that is served with it is so fresh. Like all their other carefully selected ingredients and their emphasis on provenance, all the bread served at GSF are specially made for the restaurant by artisan baker Maison Blanc.

Though I would have loved to sample their dessert menu I simply couldn’t after devouring such a feast but then we had one last treat come our way – Masala Chai served with a fabulous Bun Maska. Now folks bun maska takes me back to my days in Pune where I frequented this place called – Cafe’ GoodLuck where my friends and I spent hours drinking one cup after another of hot sweet masala chai served as ‘cutting’ -half a cup with a soft bun doused in golden soft butter and sprinkle of sugar. Winter evenings in Pune after work were so good! The same delightful treat I also enjoyed as a college student at various Irani Cafes around Matunga, Dadar and South Bombay – perfect treat for an always broke college student perpetually in need of more ‘pocket money’.

For those with a sweet tooth do take note that GSF source all their ice cream and sorbet from the award winning ‘Snow Flake Luxury Gelato’ – yet another reason why their food is so good – the focus is clear – to create and serve authentic dishes.

I urge you not to miss out on this simple but fabulous treat at GSF, the buttery goodness encased in a fresh soft bun is almost like having a feathery light sponge with creme’ chantilly….

Global Street Food Kitchen offers a refreshing new take on serving street food – authentic flavours, emphasis on provenance and chefs trained at some of the best establishments in the world – all key ingredients to their delicious offerings. I for one cannot wait for their new branch in Central London, until then whenever the craving for street food hits I know where I will be going.

*With thanks to Humayun Hussain and Global Street Food Kitchen for the invite. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Bombay Brasserie – a taste of India in Kensington

November 20, 2015 by manjirichitnis Leave a Comment

A true blue Bombayite never passes up the opportunity to sample a good Indian meal especially when it happens to be on a cold and grey autumn evening in London in a fine dining Indian restaurant and a part of the Taj Group. The occasion? To experience fine dining Indian with the newly relaunched menu and fabulously refurbished interiors at Bombay Brasserie in the swank Kensington neighbourhood, with the Zomato London folks.

Bombay Brasserie has been around since 1982. Famous for their authentic Indian cuisine they have a menu offering the best of India’s vast and varied food with marked influences of various styles of cooking. The restaurant itself is set in a beautiful red stone building a few metres away from Gloucester Road Tube station in the posh South London neighbourhood. The beautiful Bombay Bar, the posh dining room and the newly done up conservatory area all have the same trademark elegance one would expect in any old world charming club with a distinct stamp of the British Raj. The huge modern chandeliers in the dining room fit surprisingly well into the decor as do the ceiling fans hanging from tall ceilings.

I was pleasantly surprised as am sure the rest of the guests were when we started off the evening with a tour of the kitchen and a quick session on the basics of marinating meat for kebabs.

Executive Chef Prahlad Hegde was on hand to show us around and while we marvelled the working of a traditional tandoor or clay oven which imparts the unmistakeable smoky flavour to naans and kebabs – grilled meat on skewers. ( there is nothing more that I dream of other than a fabulous kitchen but having an authentic tandoor where I can make mouthwatering kebabs – some day … fingers crossed!)

Executive Chef Prahlad Hegde and Chef and Director of Operations, Quilon and Bombay Brasserie Sriram Aylur have crafted a new menu and brought back old favourites like the Palak Patta Chaat which we sampled – one bite of that dish and there’s no going back – very moreish these little crispy fried baby spinach fritters are served with a tangy but cooling yoghurt, date and tamarind chutney.

**Mouthwatering kebabs at Bombay Brasserie**

Munching on soft buttery tandoori rotis hot off the tandoor we walked out of the kitchen into the beautiful conservatory. Walls hand painted in intricate designs mimicking a rare typical tribal art and a high glass ceiling heaving with foliage. What struck me most is the period furniture which brings back memories of all the beautiful vintage shops I visited in Pondicherry this January ….sigh…someone fly me back to Indian please? Like now!

**Elegantly refurbished Bombay Brasserie**

The Tulsi chicken tikka and lamb sheesh kebabs arrived first with a selection of chutneys and mini-poppadums. In quick succession then we devoured the Adraki lamb chops and cripsy spinach chaat.

Before the main course arrived we had shots of pumpkin soup seasoned with truffle oil – absolutely amazing. The main course was a massive spread of chicken and lamb dishes with saffron pulao, olive naan and the traditional laccha paratha. I loved the olive naan with pesto – pairs surosingy well with both dal makhani and chicken makhani. The aloo roast – baby potatoes roasted were spicy but ireesistible and I had to set them aside to be able to go back for seconds of the Kasundi Monkfish – a melt in your mouth chargrilled monkfish dish seasoned with mustard and hence the name.

**Fine dining Indian style at Bombay Brasserie**

Sipping the red wine recommended I think is a great combination with all the spices of the main course.Dessert was a classy affair with artistically presented portions of a mini chocolate samosa, choco raspberry mousse and a ‘to die for’ mango and fig ice cream – definitely one of my favourites from the menu.

***Divine desserts at Bombay Brasserie***

On our way out I was on a photo clicking spree – the interiors are an instagrammers dream, it was then that I saw it – the traditional ceiling fan -hanging from a high ceiling on a slender rod lending charm to its painstakingly created rustic ambience.

***A peek into the stunning dining room at Bombay Brasserie***

With a touch of class one would expect from the Taj Group, the Bombay Brassiere does itself proud with a good menu, excellent Indian food and superb refurbishment adding a touch of understated elegance reminiscent of colonial Indian gymkhana’s.

Why dine at Bombay Brassiere: For the ambience – superbly refurbished elegant interiors set in the swank Kensington area of London famed for its authentic Indian cuisine. The stylish Bombay Bar boasts of Bombay tapas to go with their cocktails and beer selection not to mention the Raj inspired framed photographs, the ceiling fans, plush armchairs and yes also a gorgeous central fireplace. A menu that is a great combination of traditional Indian classics and superb fusion dishes. And last but not the least to experience Indian hospitality at its very best.

Must- haves from the menu: Palak Patta Chaat, Kasundi Monkfish, aloo roast, olive naan, mango and fig ice cream. Jaljeera Negroni cocktail – potent and for those like Negroni in the first place.

*With thanks to Zomato UK #ZomatoMeetup and Bombay Brasserie for the invite. Many thanks to Chef Prahlad Hegde, the efficient kitchen team and team members who waited on us. All opinions expressed are as always my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

Lunch at Shampan at the Spinning Wheel

September 2, 2015 by manjirichitnis 5 Comments

Set amongst rolling hills of the beautiful Kentish countryside is the plush Indian restaurant Shampan at the Spinning Wheel. I was invited to review their new Indian A la Carte menu which boasts of interesting combinations created using locally sourced where ever possible.

Shampan is located about a half hour drive away from Bromley South overground station. One gets the relaxing feeling of getting away from the fast-paced rush that one feels while travelling around London. When you first walk into Shampan at the Spinning Wheel the fireplace instantly put you at ease while the sleek modern leather couches create an atmosphere of luxury and comfort. Perfect for pre-lunch or pre-dinner drinks the lounge reflects the owner Sufian vision to recreate the oomph factor you would experience while say walking into a modern 5 star in Mumbai. Highly regarded for its cuisine, it’s carefully crafted menu created by Chef Sadek Miah Shampan at the Spinning Wheel, has won many awards and accolades namely the British Curry awards in 2012 and Newcomer of the Year in 2013. They also have been awarded a certificate of excellence for 2015 by TripAdvisor.

It was a warm summer’s day and I choose to cool down with a Virgin Mojito and followed it up with a refreshing ‘Apple Julep’. A large basket of fried poppadums sprinkled with a tangy dry masala powder which had the right hint of green mango was so moreish it was almost impossible to stop at one. A host of chutneys and dips accompanied the poppadums that were constantly replenished by the very smart staff. Since we had a very long wait before lunch as some guests lost their way, I had another mocktail this time it was an Almost Amaretto sour but it was far too sweet for my taste.

After a tour of the beautiful premises we were seated and served some delicious starters. I choose the banana wrapped tilapia with coconut and coriander – a fine balance of delicate flavours in perfectly cooked fish. I have tried similar dishes at many Indian fine dining restaurants and ever so often it is not exactly what I look for – either the green chutney is not as pungent as it should be or the fish is not as perfectly cooked – somehow it’s always the seemingly simple dishes that are the most difficult to produce to near perfection. For seafood fans this dish is one you must most definitely try!

A look at some of the other appetisers on our table :

I am quite sure I could have had another portion of the tilapia had it not been for the massive portion size of my main – grilled duck breast with goan curry sauce and cumin mashed potatoes. The duck was cooked well and the mashed potatoes were lovely with the grilled potatoes. The sauce was not what I had hoped for though, ideally a Goan sauce should have been spicier and richer but the tomato over powered the other ingredients. I loved the panner and tadka dal though, which I mopped up with buttery aromatic tandoori naans (with another helping of the yum poppadums!) .

All this while I was eyeing the delicious curry and rice mains the other guests were tucking into – particularly the Punjabi red spiced chicken breast with sauteed vegetables and pilau rice. I also loved the sound of venison smoked and cooked in Jodhpuri spices with crips okra – ummm what a fabulous combination. Another delicious traditional main was the Kerala spiced king prawn with a thick coconut sauce served with a flavoured coconut rice – ultimate comfort food! The grilled mullet was main looked great and I tasted a little but again the tomato like broth surrounding it was not a hit.

Grilled duck breast with goan curry — Grilled duck breast with Goan curry

It was a particularly warm summer afternoon and we were served some fresh fruit smoothie’s – again very generous size serves and quite delicious too.

A look at what the other guests enjoyed for their mains.

Tempting array of mains at Shampan — Mouthwatering array of mains at Shampan

This is probably one of the most generous portion sizes of mains I have ever been served. Naturally that left no place for dessert which was an Indian dessert – samosa filled with gajar halwa with a dollop of delicious ice cream. I did not sample the samosa but did have some of the ice cream. The presentation of all the dishes especially the dessert was lovely and the service throughout was very courteous.

First opened in 2011, this destination restaurant has much more to offer than just great tasting Indian food and swanky interiors. It is the perfect venue for dreamy weddings and has a separate function room too called the Saffron Room with a lounge area called ‘The Mumbai Quarters’ – aptly so because when I first walked into to lounge area it reminded of some of Mumbai’s best loved posh five-star restaurants. The location offers ample parking space again ideal for business lunches or a family get together. The soon to be done up bridal suite promises to be just as lush as the rest of the venue. To book the venue for events or reserve a table you will find all the contact details on their website.

*With thanks to Humayun Hussain and Shampan for an invite. All opinions expressed are as always my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.