Sanjeev Kapoor, one of India’s most recognised chefs, recently opened his first restaurant in the UK.
The Yellow Chilli has various branches across India and having visited one of the restaurants in Bangalore, it was time to test out the London sister of this chain. Although the chef lives in India, his trained staff show consistency is his forte as the food is vibrant, yet delicate with a homely style to it.
Having decades of research behind him, which rubs off on the authentic food, the menu boasts a selection of Indian all-stars from grills, tandoors and curries to an occasional western twist on the street food. The paneer tikka marinated with coriander and chillies and chargrilled to perfection proves that vegetarian grills can be just as flavoursome as their meaty counterparts.
The depth and intensity of regional cuisine shine through with Punjabi delicacies such as sarson ka saag (earthy mustard greens in a hearty gravy) and a delectable Gujarati style undhiyu made with a combination of ube yam and tigernut. Bold flavours are the name of the game here and classics such as the biryani cooked in a ‘dum’ style with a slight Hyderabadi touch does not disappoint. There’s also an impressive variety of breads to mop up any excess, including butter naans, all grain rotis, kulchas and parathas.
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Save room for dessert, though you won’t be spoilt for choice between the two on the menu, the kheer, a mild creamy rose-infused pudding, is a triumph. For personal taste, the raw papaya salad could have been more zesty than creamy, yet, the rest of the dishes were well-executed and will leave you feeling wholly satisfied. In addition, there’s a wide selection of drinks including cocktails, beer, lassi and other soft drinks.
Bookings for smaller groups may not be necessary as the restaurant was sparsely populated for a weekend lunch. The dining space is large and airy with pastel shades and large murals. The restaurant stands out from its Wembley contemporaries, thanks to its décor and service is prompt and friendly.
The Yellow Chilli is located inside the Wembley Central shopping centre, north-west London and has extended its participation in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
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