RESTAURANTS

Being an Indian I am always asked where the best Indian food is in town. As someone who knows and loves Indian food, those who ask me sometimes even listen. I cannot say I have the utmost authority, as I have not visited every Indian restaurant in the city, but here are some I visit regularly and adore.

Gaylord
79-81 Mortimer Street, London W1 (0207 636 0808; www.gaylordlondon.com)
This has to be one of the most authentic Indian restaurants in London. It’s been around for over 30 years and it’s where Indians go to eat traditional North Indian food. It was the first restaurant to bring over the tandoor and its tandoori food is still the best in London. It’s a restaurant I have visited throughout my live with family and friends - we call them to cater for all our big family occasions. It is not trendy as such, and it is slightly formal but the food is amazing.

Rasoi
10 Lincoln St, Sloane Square, London SW3 2TS (0871 0752813; www.vineetbhatia.com).
The truth is I have not had multiple meals here but the one - yes, I am basing this on just one meal - was one of the best this side of Asia. The chef at Rasoi, which simply means kitchen, is Vineet Bhatia. It Is a Michelin-starred restaurant and serves a combination of authentic traditional flavours and cooking techniques with inventive genius. Bhatia does things I have thought of doing but never got around to and now am not sure I will bother trying. It was superlative food from a sophisticated kitchen and a great wine list to boot. It is definitely a special occasion restaurant.

Chutney Mary 535 King's Road, London SW10 ( 0207 351 3113; www.chutneymary.com)
This restaurant has become one of my favourites after it revamped its menu a few years ago. The authentic dishes are well spiced and flavoured and the creative dishes cut the mustard. Really worth trying as it seems to work for both the Indians and non-Indians. It is all served in a lovely restaurant with in a civilised, if formal atmosphere.

Lahore Kebab House
2 Umberston Street, London, E1 1PY 
(020 7488 2551)
This restaurant in Whitechapel is an East End institution. The Punjabi food that they serve is simple, very authentic, incredibly fresh and delicious and super cheap which might explain why you can often find queues for tables. I live in North London so don’t get to visit that often but if it were nearer my house it would be one of my locals.

Malabar
27 Uxbridge Street, London W8 (020 7727 8800; www.malabar-restaurant.co.uk)
An informal restaurant that is packed in the weekdays with local Notting Hill and Holland Park crowds. The food is not fancy but very tasty. A great place for a quick and lively dinner.

SHOPS

Drummond Street
Just to the immediate north-west of Euston Station is Drummond Street home to a number of Indian restaurants and food shops and a good place in central London to buy Indian fruit, vegetables, spices, rice, flour and pickles. You can buy things like Alfonso mangos which are delicious and much cheaper than you would find in a supermarket, their season is April – May. I also love buying Custard Apple, a fruit that has a sweet, creamy white flesh.

For Online organic fruit and veg:www.abel-cole.co.uk

This company has deservedly won several awards including Organic Retailer of The Year; they offer free home delivery of fresh organic produce straight to your door and their produce selection and quality is great.

There are so many shops and markets selling Indian ingredients that it would be impossible to guide you all to your local ones. By and large, we all know where we can find them it is just a matter of making time to get there. Even in London there are so many areas but the four main ones are Ealing Rd in Wembley; Southall; Green Street, West Ham and Tooting. In all four areas one can buy Indian food, especially fresh fruit, vegetables and spices. For those who can’t make the time here are some sites that will deliver all your ingredients to your door at the touch of a button.

Spiceworld: www.spiceworld.uk.com

The Asian Cookshop: www.theasiancookshop.co.uk

Steenbergs: www.steenbergs.co.uk

The Spice Shop: www.thespiceshop.co.uk

Spices Warehouse: www.spiceswarehouse.com

Pure Indian Spices: www.pureindianspices.co.uk

Tell us about your favourite Indian restaurants and shops using the comment box below

For more delicious recipes and tips visit Anjum Anand at Times Online and www.anjumanand.co.uk

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