Café Spice Namaste

Food

Slokky really really liked the Papadoms (£4.20) + chutneys (£2.70) 2 types with 3 chutneys and chopped vegetables, and I have to admit, it is not bad, although I have never really been a fan of papadoms or chutney. The Sweet Lassi (£2.95) and Mango Lassi (£2.95) though, were thick and creamy.

We decided to share the Café Spice Platter (£12.95) - 5 vegetarian & 4 non vegetarian mix for entrée. The platter consisted of small portions of the following, which was explained to us, although after awhile, it was hard to remember or even taste which was which. My overall impression though, very nicely cooked meat, the samosas were very fragrant, so a very good start.

• Baingan Pakora - Batons of aubergine, lightly marinated with turmeric, chilli and lime juice, dipped in spiced chickpea batter and deep fried.
• Bhael Poori (V) (G) - The Bombay Walla’s favourite roadside snack at any time is bhael poori. A combination of puffed rice, chickpea vermicelli, crushed crisp poories, diced potato, chopped shallots, fresh coriander and chilli are blended with tamarind and green chutney
• Leeli Chutney ma Salmon - Fillet of salmon marinated in a Parsee style fresh green chutney, skewered and chargrilled in the tandoor. This chutney is derived from my mother’s own family recipe and the family unanimously agrees it is the best way of marinating fresh salmon fillet.
• Murg Tikka (H) - The favourite of many of our guests for more than a decade, Café Spice Namaste’s traditional chicken tikka, needs no further introduction!
• Badak Kay Tikkay - Breast of Barbary Duck, marinated very simply in extract of garlic and ginger with yoghurt, chilli and spices.
• Beef Tikka kaala Mirich Masala - Well hung and matured prime fillet of Scottish Long Horn beef, marinated with crushed black peppercorns and ginger extract, skewered and chargrilled in the tandoor. We strongly recommend that this very superior quality beef be served rare to medium for greater enjoyment.
• Murgh Maharajah (N) (H) - a classic with a definite origin from the Punjab with strong influences of Mughlai cuisine. Breast of corn fed chicken stuffed with minced whey cheese, chopped pistachios and almonds, flavoured with fennel, simmered in a rich Makhani sauce, made with pureed tomatoes, almonds and cashew nuts, flavoured with slow roasted crushed fenugreek & served with saffron palav.

For mains we settled on:

• Tadka Daal (£4.75) - A combination of Toor and Masoor Daal (yellow & pink lentils) cooked and sizzled with chopped garlic, cumin and red chilli. This process of sizzling is known as “Tadka”, hence the name Tadka Daal. Immortalised by our Mr. Brady it is impossible for us to take this daal off our menu. - which was smoky and very thick and just spicy enough not to mask the smokiness.
• Baingan Bharta (N) (£5.95) - Smoked aubergine peeled after charbroiling, chopped and simmered with onions, tomato, garlic, green chilli and cumin. Finished with fresh chopped coriander and roasted chopped cashew nuts. - with their soft but finely chopped eggplant.
• Peshawari Naan (G) (N) (£2.95) - Stuffed with a blend of chopped cashew nuts, raisins, desiccated coconut and cream, and flavoured with cardamom. - here made with fresh coconut slivers instead of desiccated coconut, so the flavour is more subtle and gentle. A hit with me.

Rating - 7.5

Atmosphere

The first thing that hits you is the mish-mash of colour and how this doesn’t seem like an Indian restaurant, especially with that huge front bar. Things started off quietly on this Tuesday evening, but as the night wore on, every table was full, with friends, family, workmates and couples. It was encouraging to see that there were quite a few Indians eating there too.

Rating - 2

Service

As expected, one of the best service I have received…for an Indian place. The waiters were very polite, and they even did the crumb sweeping thing, but I couldn’t figure out why they never took any of our empty glasses away, even if they were clearing other dishes from the table?

Rating - 3

C-factor

Very expensive for an Indian experience, but at least the quality is top notch.

Rating - 0.5

Brownie Points - 13

Info

16 Prescot Street
London
E1 8AZ
Phone +44 (0) 20 7488 9242
Website