Review: Namaaste Kitchen
Like the 23 per cent of British folk who would opt for a curry over any other cuisine, I love a good Indian repast. What I don’t love, however, is the slight nausea that encroaches after a particularly heavy meal. Rich sauces, rice, naan…It all tastes so delicious that before you know it you’ve eaten too much and feel rather queasy.
It’s easy to forget that there is a lighter way to enjoy this type of fare. I’d heard that Namaaste Kitchen, situated on bustling Parkway in north London, is known for its grilling, so my friend and I popped along on a Thursday evening to sample the tandoori titbits.
The restaurant itself is not enormous but it is sleekly designed – all wooden floors, black table tops and moody red lighting. This, coupled with the scent of fragrant spices wafting from the kitchen, makes it a rather cosy culinary sanctuary.
We tucked into a generous basket of poppadums (both plain and peppered) and a trio of homemade chutneys as we perused the menu. It is extensive, covering both the standard comestibles (onion bhajis, chicken korma, samosas) along with more creative – and perhaps more refined – dishes. My starter of Kadhai spiced scallops were arranged beautifully on the plate. The shellfish was seared to firm-yet-tender perfection, but the hero of the dish was the mango and charred tomato salsa which was at once sweet and smoky. My friend ordered the banwar panir shaslik and was presented with several blocks of paneer arranged on a kebab. The mild creaminess of the cheese was brought out by the contrast with the blackened peppers, and the portion was big enough to pass for an entrée.
Keen to experience the expert grilling, I chose the kebab platter for my main course. Succulent chicken, rich lamb and juicy salmon were presented in bitesize chunks, delicately spiced and without a hint the dryness so often encountered with a tandoori dish. I ate this with a side of aubergine, which added extra heartiness and an especially delicious sauciness to the course. My friend’s seabass was equally well-cooked, sporting that essential crispy skin. We also enjoyed a date and ginger naan – and chewy and interesting twist on the usual bread.
The meal left us pleasantly satiated rather than stuffed. This was not only because of the lighter dishes, but the way in which they were served. Namaaste Kitchen is obviously keen to offer real restaurant experience – we received an unbidden amuse bouche to start, our table was de-crumbed between every course, and the waiters surreptitiously topped up water glasses. In an age of no bookings and queues and two hour windows, it’s a rare pleasure to enjoy a dinner at such an unhurried pace. What makes it even better that you are not paying through the nose to be thus treated – with starters around £6 and main courses costing around £12, it is wonderfully reasonable.
It strikes me as the kind of place to retain a lot of regulars. Safe to say, I am now added to their number.
www.namaastekitchen.co.uk
It’s easy to forget that there is a lighter way to enjoy this type of fare. I’d heard that Namaaste Kitchen, situated on bustling Parkway in north London, is known for its grilling, so my friend and I popped along on a Thursday evening to sample the tandoori titbits.
The restaurant itself is not enormous but it is sleekly designed – all wooden floors, black table tops and moody red lighting. This, coupled with the scent of fragrant spices wafting from the kitchen, makes it a rather cosy culinary sanctuary.
We tucked into a generous basket of poppadums (both plain and peppered) and a trio of homemade chutneys as we perused the menu. It is extensive, covering both the standard comestibles (onion bhajis, chicken korma, samosas) along with more creative – and perhaps more refined – dishes. My starter of Kadhai spiced scallops were arranged beautifully on the plate. The shellfish was seared to firm-yet-tender perfection, but the hero of the dish was the mango and charred tomato salsa which was at once sweet and smoky. My friend ordered the banwar panir shaslik and was presented with several blocks of paneer arranged on a kebab. The mild creaminess of the cheese was brought out by the contrast with the blackened peppers, and the portion was big enough to pass for an entrée.
Keen to experience the expert grilling, I chose the kebab platter for my main course. Succulent chicken, rich lamb and juicy salmon were presented in bitesize chunks, delicately spiced and without a hint the dryness so often encountered with a tandoori dish. I ate this with a side of aubergine, which added extra heartiness and an especially delicious sauciness to the course. My friend’s seabass was equally well-cooked, sporting that essential crispy skin. We also enjoyed a date and ginger naan – and chewy and interesting twist on the usual bread.
The meal left us pleasantly satiated rather than stuffed. This was not only because of the lighter dishes, but the way in which they were served. Namaaste Kitchen is obviously keen to offer real restaurant experience – we received an unbidden amuse bouche to start, our table was de-crumbed between every course, and the waiters surreptitiously topped up water glasses. In an age of no bookings and queues and two hour windows, it’s a rare pleasure to enjoy a dinner at such an unhurried pace. What makes it even better that you are not paying through the nose to be thus treated – with starters around £6 and main courses costing around £12, it is wonderfully reasonable.
It strikes me as the kind of place to retain a lot of regulars. Safe to say, I am now added to their number.
www.namaastekitchen.co.uk