Cardamom

SiReine

Great when you dont like Indian food 12th March 2008

4 found this helpful

These are a few ways I would describe this restaurant:
"great introduction to Indian food",
"not your average Curry House",
"very modern verging on fusion",
"accessible"...

I've got to say that my continental palate was very impressed each time I had dinner there. It's everything Sarah described but I believe some "Curry purists" may find Cardamom slightly too wishy washy to their taste.

Sarah_W

Stylish setting for curry 3rd April 2007

4 found this helpful

This restaurant straddles the middle ground between traditional Indian restaurant and the more stylish and innovative ones that have sprung up in recent years. The decor definitely veers towards the latter, with abstract paintings and drapes in jewel-rich colours but otherwise plain and neutral - no flock wallpaper here! The menu meanwhile has a mix of traditional favourites and some more unusual choices, with a particular emphasis on fish and on Bangladeshi cuisine. Ingredients are fresh and the dishes retain the flavours of the individual spices used, rather than that generic "curried something" flavour offered in less good Indian restaurants.

On our latest visit I ate bharta (a starter of shredded fish cooked with spices, inlcuding ginger, and served in a wrap) and chingri halim (prawns cooked with lentils and fenugreek) - both were delicious. Chris enjoyed his choices too, especially his starter of choti poti (a chickpea dish). Prices are reasonable too - for three courses each and a bottle of wine we paid £54 (not including service).

This place is definitely recommended, but do book for weekend evenings - on the Saturday we visited it was full by about 8.00 PM.