Newly opened Riwaz in Beaconsfield, by Atul Kochhar

Cuisine: Indian
Style Points: 4/5
Location: Beaconsfield, London
Price: £££
Overall: 4/5

Riwaz in Beaconsfield has only been open a few weeks, and it’s already causing a storm. In fact it was pretty busy on the Saturday afternoon we dined there for lunch.

Atul Kochhar’s name always draws a crowd, and often the food stands up to scrutiny, so I headed down to the outskirts of London to the luxe little town of Beaconsfield to give it a try.

The Setting:

Located in the old town of Beaconsfield, Riwaz is a bit of a trek to travel to for central Londoners. However for those of us located in the outskirts of the city, this restaurant gives you a chance to try central London dining within having to travel to Zone 1.

Located in a restored building, the restaurant opens up when you walk through to the large and airy dining room located in the back. Skylights allows the sun to stream through and artfully placed foliage amongst a minty-pea green decor give the space a home-like and comfortable feel. The touch of luxury is still evident though, with beautifully laid tables and smartly dressed staff.

The Food:

There are a few menus to choose from when dining at lunch time, including a very well priced set-menu, as well as a decadent looking tasting menu and the a la carte menu too. We chose to dine from the a la carte menu and ordered a selection of dishes to share, though the dishes here can also be ordered for individuals too.

We started with Chowk ki bhalla papri chaat (£12) - I love chaats and although this dish as a good attempt, it wasn’t as spicy and flavourful as I like my chaats.

We also tried the Malai chandi tikka - marinated chicken tikka (£15), which I was really impressed with as the chicken was incredibly moist. The Changezi Champen (£19) - grilled Lake District lamb chops were hefty in size, full of meat and a delight to finish.

For our main course we ordered Hiran ka keema salli (£24) - keema masala with crisp potatoes and Kali mirch aur adraki jungli murg (£24) - guinea fowl curry. Both curries were delicious and subtly spiced, meaning there was no danger of being overwhelmed by chillies.

I also ordered a fantastic and flavourful Bharwan Baigan (£18) - Roasted aubergine, and we had garlic naan and plain rice as sides.

We were quite stuffed at this point, but couldn’t leave without trying the desserts, as they all looked so tempting! In the end I opted for the Kulfi Falooda (£18), served with mango and pistachio kulfi. This was a delightful and colourful dish, ideal for the upcoming Summer months.

We also tried the Gajar ka halwa (£8.50) served with a vanilla ice cream. This was exactly as my mums makes it and a very comforting dessert.

By the time we’d finished our feast, lunch-time service was very much over, so we said our goodbyes to the very friendly staff and headed out into the sunshine to walk off our meal!

The Price:

We dined from the a la carte menu, and the prices for these dishes can be quite steep. Starters range from £14-£19 and main course dishes are between £18-£26, and you have to factor in the addition of side dishes such as rice and naans. This would be reasonable for a decadent evening out, but perhaps too pricey for a casual lunch.

Riwaz beaconsfield review atul kochhar dessert

Riwaz does, however, have a fantastic set-lunch menu, with £15 for 2 courses and £18 for 3 courses. The portion sizes are quite generous and this would make a very hearty meal. Of course, side dishes such as naans and rice would be extra, but even with the addition of this and a few drinks, you can still get a decently priced meal.

There is also decadent tasting menu on offer, priced at £65 per person, and £120 with paired wine. This is a great option for those looking to celebrate a special occasion, or just to spoil themselves!

Riwaz beaconsfield review atul kochhar cocktails

Overall?

I’m a fan of Atul Kochhar’s restaurants and aim to try and visit his restaurants whenever I am in the area. I certainly had a good time at Hawkyns and Sindhu.

Riwaz stands up to Kochhar’s high standards, and although I’m used to more spicier Indian food, I appreciated the subtle flavours in the dishes.

This is a great opening for locals as it is ideal for a leisurely lunch, as well as a venue to celebrate special occasions. In fact there’s a rumour that Kochhar is opening another Riwaz in Windsor, and I’ll certainly be keeping a look out for that!