Our resident foodie, Koulla Joannou tantalised her tastebuds with a taste of London's best...
"Moti Mahal is a world away from your local Indian. It’s billed as “contemporary fine dining Indian restaurant in the heart of Covent Garden” and it’s just that and more. Inside, it has the kind of décor that makes you want to order a Martini and exchange witty double-entendre with the bar staff. That’s to say, it’s warm and classy with soft cream leather sofas at the bar area and kitsch, retro chandeliers. The best feature has to be the open kitchen, which not only means the air is scented with the mouth-watering Tandoori spices, but it also brings a little drama to your food as you watch the chef work his magic. The only problem is, with so much great food being cooked in front of you, you might get a serious case of menu-envy.
It’s the little touches that make this restaurant so fab. It wasn’t long after we’d sat down before the Head Waiter came to help us pick from the enormous wine list with his personal recommendation (a light, tasty Spanish white). The food menu was extensive too with tons of choice and lots of veggie options. After much deliberation I opted for the grilled king prawns, which had a beautiful, delicate flavour. The chef Anirudh Arora came out to see how we enjoyed our starters and recommended our main courses. The lamb shank was absolutely divine and was so tender that it just fell off the bone. It was perfectly spiced and tasted wonderful. The rabbit in a creamy sauce was also delish and we had a variety of side dishes including a wonderful spinach and paneer dish and also a lentil dhal. The presentation of the food is just as good as the flavours – it almost seemed a shame to cut it up.
When it came to dessert, I was worried I would not have enough, but managed to squeeze it in (there’s always room for dessert). I opted for the classic cheesecake and my partner went for the more daring dim-sum inspired parcels filled with chocolate, accompanied by hot strawberries, it was a winning combination and really unusual.
The atmosphere in the restaurant, partly created by the friendly staff, was so serene and relaxing I had to remind myself that the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden was right outside. If you like the sound of Moti Mahal, you’ll find the prices are reasonable with some great set menus available. I would say it would be a shame to rush such a wonderful meal before going to catch a show but being in the location that it is, Moti Mahal would be a lovely treat either pre-theatre or for the whole evening as you will not want to leave!
Book your table at Moti Mahal.
By Koulla Joannou
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