Special Indian

It was Mr Greedy Glutton’s birthday eve, so being the loving and doting wife that I am, I booked us a table at Song of India, somewhere he has been dying to try for a while.

Set within a colonial black and white bungalow, with its pillars and chandeliers and modern art-clad walls, this is certainly a notch above the rest when it comes to class and style. Unfortunately though, it was one of those atmospheres where I felt the need to lean across the table and whisper to my other half, as there wasn’t much of a buzz about the place.

The menu too was certainly a notch above the rest, particularly the Starter section. After much deliberation, we decided on the Lahsooni Jhinga – Jumbo prawns stuffed with spiced crayfish and shrimps in a garlic enhanced tandoor marinade, and the Til Ke Aloo – Tandoori potato buckets stuffed with peppers, cheese, sesame and pine nuts.

These were beautifully presented – shared up between us and elegantly served on long plates, complete with decorative swirls. And they were completely delicious. Not only this, but they also bought us an amuse bouche – an upmarket version of a chaat in its own crispy little basket.

Moving onwards to the main courses, the menu wasn’t quite as inspiring, featuring all the usual favourites – Chicken Tikka Masala, Rogan Josh, Goan Fish Curry etc etc. We opted for their Chicken Tikka Masala

and the Kashmiri Rogan Josh.

Both of these were exceptionally good examples of these famous dishes, and you could really taste the distinctive flavours of the various spices within. However, at the end of the day – it was just a Tikka Masala and a Rogan Josh…

We did however team these with the Kuttu with Appam – mixed vegetables in coconut curry with fluffy rice hoppers, which was slightly more unusual, truly delicious and a great accompaniment to the richer meat dishes.

Washed down with a bottle of Kanonkop Pinotage

(we visited the vineyard whilst on honeymoon in South Africa and therefore become very excited when we spot one of these on the menu), this was a really fantastic meal.

However, for the prices they charge, I’m not sure I would justify returning for a ‘curry’. Instead I would be tempted to come back and make up my meal from their imaginative starter menu… and then I feel you might be in for something rather more special…

Song of India - http://www.thesongofindia.com/