Lokhandwala’s New Menu

As a lover of Indian food, and being Indian myself, I was extremely excited to be invited to test out the new menu by Fitzrovia’s chic Indian hotspot, Lokhandwala. The restaurant is based around the love story of Lady Charlotte who eloped with her sweetheart, a street boss who originated from the notorious district of Mumbai, Lokhandwala, and was outcast.

The space is “a sympathetic homage to all those who lived, loved and fought for their love”, and feels very much like the living room of a decadent period townhouse, whose interior reflects the collective history of the East and West.

The new menu, much like the former one, features a variety of tapas style dishes, with some very traditional favourites with a twist. Chaat, the beloved street food classic, had a spinach addition, which surprisingly worked really well alongside the tangy tamarind sauce and creamy yogurt. We especially enjoyed tucking in to the Amritsari Fish served in the style of fish and chips, with a light, spiced, crunchy batter served with thin, crisp hand-cut fries.

There was also an Indian twist on the British classic scotch egg, featuring a quail egg wrapped with minced lamb meat, as well as paneer stuffed with apricot, which I’ve never come across before, but was a delightful mix of sweet and savoury.

A much-loved dish that’s often difficult to master is butter chicken, but Lokhandwala’s Chicken Makhani dish did not disappoint. Not too sweet, delightfully creamy and spiced to pack a punch, it was the clear winner of the night. The gajjar (carrot) dessert, reminiscent of mini tartlets, made for the perfect ending. It is a wonderfully modern take on a dessert I’ve always loved, buttery and sweet with a thin pastry casing.

What made this menu special was the way it stayed true to its Indian roots, not shying away from using a generous amount of spices and chilli, with a continuous nod to its connection to England, which worked so well.

If you’re looking for a special night out and to get your taste buds tingling, I’d highly recommend checking it out. The cocktail list is extensive and creative, coupled with a variety of dishes you’ll leave remembering, making the whole experience feel extremely special from start to finish.

Website: www.lokhandwala.co.uk

Address: 93 Charlotte street, Fitzrovia, London, WT1 4PY

Twitter: @lokhandwala_UK
Instagram: @lokhandwala_UK

Simran Maini-Hoskins