Vama
Photo: Courtesy of Vama
Now that we've revealed that London's preferred cuisine is Italian, it's time to look at some of the other highly ranked dining options. If eye-opening spices and adventurous flavours excite your palate, consider trying the choices for Top Indian Food from the newly released 2009 London Restaurants guide:
10 Lincoln St., SW3; 020-7225 1881
“One reaches nirvana without trying” at this “transporting” townhouse in Chelsea, where owner-chef Vineet Bhatia uses a “spectacular variety of spices and flavours” to produce “adventurous”, “refined” subcontinental fare – especially on the tasting menu, aka “seven courses to heaven”; add in the recently redone environs, “decorated like a peaceful candlelit temple” and “wonderful service”, and “if there’s a better Indian restaurant around, do let me know.”
15-19 Halkin Arcade, Motcomb St., SW1; 020-7823 1166
“Deft touches with spices” and “exciting twists on classic flavours” offer a “feast for the senses” at this “suave” subcontinental small-plates specialist “tucked away in high-end Belgravia”; true, it’s “incredibly expensive” and “staff can be a bit clueless”, but most delight in this “dark” spot’s “definitely different take” on Indian cuisine.
154 Old Brompton Rd., SW5; 020-7373 2901
“Not your typical Indian by any means”, this “low-key” South Kensington stalwart “has been serving superb food for many years” (57, in fact), and at a “reasonable price” too; yes, “seating’s a bit crowded” “albeit comfortable”, so all in all, a “sparkling” experience is assured.
20 Queen St., W1; 020-7629 3561
“After all these years”, this “sublime” subterranean subcontinental with “Mayfair levels of class and buzz” still attracts discerning diners with Indian “classics done right” (“the biryani is a must-try”) and “delicately spiced” “contemporary interpretations”, accompanied by service “fit for a raj”; just ensure you “come with a fistful of quid – the puris here aren’t for the poor.”
438 King’s Rd., SW10; 020-7565 8500
“If your mum were Indian, you’d wish she cooked like this” declare devotees of this decade-old, “upscale” Punjabi on the outskirts of Chelsea (“don’t try to walk from the station”); “it’s worth the cab ride” for “consistently” “high-quality” curries and lamb dishes, brought by “helpful staff”; “on a nice evening, get a table near the street.”
To see more London Top Lists, click here.