Prices are high, but this is the one place my mother did not say ‘I could make this for 50p’ ie it was worth it. The actual curries are less exciting but good. Flour tortilla with scrambled cage free eggs, chorizo, pork sausage, applewood smoked bacon, pinto beans, potatoes OBrien. Highlights include the spiced to perfection chicken lollipops, chargrilled moreish monkfish, chilli crusted paneer, a fine fluffy assortment of Indian breads from the tandoor oven and deeply marinaded finger-licking grilled lamb chops. Other top indian restaurants in London, eg Tamarind, Veeraswamy, Benares are superficially beautiful, but do not seem to hit the mark like Amaya does. Indian food is all about depth of flavour and layering of spices and not many Indian restaurants seem to achieve this. There is an open kitchen to witness the chefs at work and the spicy, chargrilled bites that come from there are like little mouthfuls of chilli bliss. The food is Indian food tapas style, but it is the refined presentation and taste sensation level of each dish that makes this place special. It has a Hakkasan feel inside, dark, sultry, glossy and is full of smart SW1 regulars. Amaya is a slick Indian grill restaurant (around the corner from King's Road), so a perfect post-shopping venue or for a big night out. My mother is known for her legendary Bengali home cooking and so, when she gave Amaya the ‘thumbs up’ cola style, I knew this place was a keeper. Amaya Michelin Starred Indian Restaurant in London Contemporary Indian Grill London Home Amaya which opened in 2004 to immediate acclaim & awards including the Michelin Star remains revolutionary and one of London’s hottest restaurants to this day. Service, meanwhile, is courteous, hospitable and as smooth as Indian silk – as you might expect from a seasoned Michelin-starred performer. Regulars confirm that the restaurant’s “premium prices” are fully justified, while sexy east-west cocktails and spice-friendly wines match the food in every department. Most items are designed for sharing and arrive from the open kitchen as and when they’re ready, although it’s worth remembering that Amaya specialises in bite-sized portions rather than hefty platefuls (don’t come here expecting a lager-fuelled curry-house blowout). The menu cherry-picks ideas and influences from across the subcontinent, with highlights ranging from wild venison seekh kebabs and tandoori beef sirloin ‘boti’ to grilled duck breast with spiced toasted coconut – although the selection of 15 vegetarian dishes should never be discounted (try the famous beetroot ‘chop’ or the grilled white sweet potato with tamarind and yoghurt). Ask for a table close to the action and marvel as the chefs fashion “succulent and creatively spiced” Indian-style tapas from their battery of tandoors, tawa hotplates and sigri grills. Much depends on the seductive ambience, although this glamorous venue has star quality written all over it – and more than enough glitz for its well-heeled clientele. Boasting a clever design spec that puts the ‘theatre’ kitchen at the heart of the slinky dining room, sleek, clubby Amaya is “the best all-round, upmarket Indian in London”, according to one well-travelled aficionado.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |