Today we’re going west to sample some Indian delights at Copper Chimney in London’s Westfield. Westfield is a mega shopping centre which is beautifully designed with restaurants laid out around the edge offering myriad international cuisines. And as luck would have it there’s a handy bus that goes pretty much from my house to just outside Westfield. Some days I love London Transport.
Copper Chimney is an elegantly designed contemporary space and an irresistible aroma to tantalise the senses wafts through as soon as you open the door. Mouth watering already!
What’s on the menu
There’s a lovely selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes on show, making for a tricky decision process. I love a good chaat (it originated in the streets of Old Delhi). A crunchy, spicy plate of deliciousness of chatpata chickpeas with spiced potatoes and yogurt layered with sweet and spicy chutney. Such a refreshing starter bursting with lovely flavours and textures.
Our second well-considered starter is this Amritsari shrimp. These carom-flavoured batter fried shrimps come from the alleyways of Amritsar in Punjab and are served with a zesty, spicy chilli chutney. Sweet and crunchy…and that chutney. I need more of it in my life.
Main courses and sides
For mains we started off with a dish from the Tandoori section of the menu. The Pudina grilled chicken is flavoured with fresh mint and a secret 15-spice kabob masala and grilled in the tandoor. So beautifully tender with a lovely spicy hit, and served with some of that mouthwatering chutney.
I’m a big fan of dal and always try to sneak an extra portion of it onto a table whenever we enjoy an Indian meal. It always gets eaten… This Dal Tadka is made from yellow lentils cooked with fresh green herbs and sizzling spices and served with a dash of cumin and garlic. Such depth of flavour – beautifully rich and creamy and the perfect accompaniment to just about everything. We also ordered a roomali roti on the side – the restaurant’s signature artisanal thin bread, tossed and cooked on an inverted tawa. Perfect for some serious dal dipping.
And now for the dish of the day. An exceptionally tasty lamb Rogan Josh. Boneless lamb marinated for over six hours in a secret 21-spice blend and slow-cooked. Wow…the softest of meat, most luxurious of silken sauces and layers of spices that danced on our tongues. If I ‘d been at home I would have quietly licked the dish clean…seriously.
I also always like to order a raita for a completely balanced meal! Today it’s a pomegranate mint raita – yogurt flavoured with mint, coriander and pomegranate. I could eat this with everything, it’s so refreshing and cooling, fruity and minty.
Mango magic
After such a feast, we were certainly replete but when we were handed a special mango menu (it’s mango season in India, you see) we had to order something. Who can resist a mango menu? This is the fabulously cooling and creamy mango kulfi – a traditional ice cream made with fresh mangoes. The perfect ending to our exotically delicious meal.
Oh and for the month of June, Copper Chimney has a special Jubilee cocktail menu. What a great idea. So I had to try the Lovely Jubilee – capturing the tropical flavours of rum and flora hibiscus enriched with exotic pomegranate, a touch of ginger, black pepper and cardamom. A taste of India in a glass – drinks don’t get any more delicious or exciting. With still a few weeks left in June, think I’d better hurry back and have another one before the offer comes to an.
Today’s price point
Our food came to £71. It was a feast…more than enough for two people.
My delicious Lovely Jubilee Cocktail was £9.95
We also enjoyed a nice bottle of Daciana Pinot Noir from Hungary for £28.
Copper Chimney is at Unit 1028, Southern Terrace, Ariel Way, Westfield W12.
