Tamarind - Mayfair, London

It wasn't much longer after Tamarind opened its door in 2001 London that it received a Michelin-star, making it the first Indian restaurant in the United Kingdom. Since then, the field has become a more competitive, with a number of Indian restaurants winning the same accolade. To stay on top of the game and keep it contemporary, Tamarind has undergone a complete refurbishment and hired two star chefs who have won their fair share of accolades, including the aforementioned stars. Executive group head chef Karunesh Khanna and Tamarind Mayfair head chef Manav Tuli have been flexing their respective muscles on Queen Street. We popped in to see the results. 

The design was orchestrated by David D'Almada and Sagrada, responsible for Arts Club, Le Petit Maison and Coya, and spread over two floors. Upstairs you'll find broad glass windows in the lobby and a sleek metal staircase leading to the lower ground floor. There's a minimalist whitewashed motif spread throughout which draws diners' attentions towards the massive open-plan kitchens, where cheffy pyrotechnics are on display at the tandoor and grill. We ordered a Rose Coupette and Zaffran Gin Fizz cocktail and girded our loins for one of the largest meals we've ever had!

Starters came fast and furious. A crispy lotus stem chaat with homemade chutney prepped our stomachs for an Allabadi baked samosa; julienned papaya, mango and cucumber salad; and griddled Scottish scallops with spiced red lentil, curry leaf sauce, fennel and green apple salsa. The tandoor does gorgeous work, as evidenced by ginger-infused, slow-cooked chicken tikka and a royal chicken tikka Hasnu kebab. Mains of coconut seabass with a fresh red chilli glaze; pastry-crusted milk-fed lamb leg and slow-cooked butter chicken with caramelised tomatoes were all deliriously flavourful, but we were equally won over by the sides: crispy baby potato with cumin, coriander and chilli and especially caramelised Brussels sprouts with chestnut were mind-bendingly tasty. 

After wrapping up the meal with a molten chocolate fondant, we were firmly in the Tamarind fold. Without a doubt, it's in the running for one of London's best Indian restaurants. 

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