Is this London’s most beautiful restaurant? Baluchi, The Lalit London Hotel
Baluchi Restaurant Review: Indian Fine Dining at the Lalit London Hotel
Cuisine: Indian
Style Points: 5/5
Location: London Bridge
Price: £££
Overall: 5/5
There are many beautiful restaurants in London and one which would be on all these lists is Baluchi. Located in the Great Hall of the luxurious Lalit London Hotel, Baluchi is a dining space draped in royal blues and golds and stunning chandeliers.
The dining room itself is massive, with comfortables tables that are well spaced out, meaning diners have plenty of space to themselves. There is also a large and striking bar at the end of the dining room, which also houses the restaurant’s Naanery where a variety of naan breads are baked.
In addition there is also an outdoor terrace serving drinks and the Afternoon Tea menu, which would be a perfect setting in Summer.
The Food?
We met with the charismatic Head Chef Santosh Shah, who talked us through the menu and his favourite dishes. Having worked at a series of high-end Indian restaurants both in London and abroad, we knew that we were going to be in for a treat!
We started with a tandoori octopus and colocasia dish, something which isn’t normally found on the menu at Indian restaurants. However the dish was well cooked and paired well with clay oven roasted baby potato, labneh, coriander chutney, and puffed quinoa.
We also enjoyed sampling the different flavours on the sharing platter, which included kaffir lime chicken tikka, lamb chops and a delicious fish tikka too.
On Chef Santosh’s recommendation, we ordered our main course of cannon of lamb served with cornbread, roasted root vegetable, garlic spinach mash, and masala cashew crumble and murg adraki which was free range corn-fed chicken breast in a ginger curry with spinach.
Both dishes were divinely spiced and served in substantial portion sizes which we really enjoyed finishing! Although the flavours harked back to traditional Indian flavours, the presentation, plating and ingredients gave each dish a unique and modern taste and feel.
For dessert we were impressed by the creamy and smooth kulfi which were served in paan and pistachio flavours. I also tried gulab jamun with a delicious guava sorbet. The combination of the sweet gulab jamun and sharp, tart guava worked really well to produce an ideal dessert!
The Price?
Baluchi is located in the luxury Lalit London Hotel and serves food to a high standard. The use of quality ingredients and well thought out dishes mean the prices are higher than average. However the food and drinks are worth the cost of this fine dining experience.
Overall?
After a cocktail at the bar located in the hotel and adjoining the restaurant, we headed home stuffed to the brim with lovely food and very pleased with the friendly service throughout our meal.
Baluchi is often described as one of the best Indian restaurants in London, and based off the experience we had, I would say it certainly qualifies.
Baluchi also serves a lavish Indian breakfast and Afternoon Tea too and I’ll certainly be back to give these a try!
A special thanks to Baluchi and Chef Santosh for their hospitality!
Book your table at Baluchi on their website.
Address: 181 Tooley St, London SE1 2JR
Closest tube station: London Bridge
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