A new spring lunch menu at Mayfair's Tamarind restaurant offers a reduced price opportunity for folks to try an elegant meal complemented by gracious service. The first Indian restaurant to receive a Michelin star (although no longer the only South Asian eatery with such credentials in London), Tamarind has unveiled a special lunch menu at £16.50 (£26.50 with wine) for two courses or £18.50 (£28.50 with wine) for three. The menu is available for individuals or groups of up to six people. The creation of Executive Chef Alfred Prasad with pairing input from Tamarind's sommelier, the new menu has some delightful options worthy of your lunchtime consideration.
Invited round for a tasting, Londonist was particularly impressed with a few dishes. Sesame coated cakes of minced vegetables with dried mango and toasted coriander seeds served with tamarind chutney stayed in our taste buds' memory well after the meal as did the pan fried fillets of tilapia with ginger, paprika and curry leaf topped with a honey and yoghurt dip. Other dishes, such tandoori salmon in a marinade of ginger, chilli, yoghurt and dill served on salad leaves, failed to wow us. But sides such as cauliflower florets in cumin flavoured tomato sauce with spring onion along with fried onion and coriander naan and braised basmati rice with cumin and saffron were pleasing and filling.
Wines are expertly matched with the menu. Londonist thought the fruity Rousanne Chardonnay blend from Australia went very nicely with our tilapia. A fresh Infamous Goose Savignon Blanc from New Zealand was a good one to sip with our mains.
As you might expect from a Michelin starred resto, service at Tamarind is impeccable. The Mayfair location is to die for and the space itself is comfortable and attractive (if a bit stuck in the 80s). We reckon the new spring menu is as good a reason as any to give this place a go.
Tamarind is located at 20-22 Queen Street (W1J 5PR). Visit them online at www.tamarindrestaurant.com.
