££££Prix : cher • Indienne • Marble Arch
Regionally inclined Punjabi cuisine is the main draw at this incongruously located Indian (one of eight branches worldwide), pitched beneath a vast block of flats. Having undergone a major refurbishment, the restaurant has emerged with a polished bar area decked out in dark walnut, while the dining room has been brightened up with cream walls, rich gold fabrics and statement glass chandeliers giving off a warm glow. Dishes on the revamped menu are absolutely faultless – witness crisp shreds of okra fried in the lightest of batters, perfect mouthfuls of tandoor-grilled chicken tikka, and juicy jumbo prawns expertly roasted in a clay oven. Regional specialities, such as nalli gosht (slow-cooked lamb shank and saffron curry, from the city of Lucknow) also delight, although prices are firmly attuned to the luxurious postcode.
