Wednesday 18 March 2015

Gaylord Indian Restaurant - New Menu Launch (ZomatoMeetUp#1)

Gaylord Restaurant on Mortimer Street, just off Regent Street North, has been open since 1966, and is considered one of London's most elegant Indian restaurants, as well as the oldest. Leading up to their 50th anniversary next year, they have just launched a new menu with which they want to take you on 'a culinary journey to North India spiced with spendour', delivering exceptional Indian food combining complex flavours and spices.

Having recently joined the Zomato restaurant review site, it was my absolute pleasure to go along to the launch evening to celebrate my first ever #ZomatoMeetUp. Meeting a bunch of like-minded food bloggers and prolific reviewers whilst gorging on a seemingly never-ending feast of specially prepared Indian food - what better way to spend a Wednesday evening?! Beginning with a Saffron Gin cocktail, and finishing with several vats of wine, we munched, chomped, nibbled and photographed our way through an amazing menu.

To begin, an array of canapés. Beautifully presented, beautifully cooked. Some familiar, such as various chicken tikkas, some innovative, like the hash-brown-esque Aloo Tokri Chat. Edible flowers too!


AMUSE BOUCHE - Canapés

Mint and Chilli Dips
Golgappa Shot
Mini Bhelpuri Cone
Aloo Tokri Chhat
Murg Malai Tikka
Zaffrani Chicken Tikka

The starters seemed to go on forever, and indeed were it not for a short break in the proceedings it would not have been possible to carry on eating. My favourite was the Tandoori Tiger Prawn, possibly the largest (and most luscious) prawn I have ever eaten. The tacos were served in a novelty car, reminiscent I'm sure of something from the Maharaja's garage. A little random serving cold tacos amongst this Indian banquet, but it was a talking point. The scallops were tender and subtly spiced and the crab cakes served on a sugar cane. Edible sugarcane too!

STARTERS

Tandoori Tiger Prawn
Baby Idll
Murg Gilafi Seekh
Crab Cakes Dakshini
Andhra Scallops
Tacos
With so much food, we did have to choose between two set main courses. Despite this, we still managed to sample almost everything. Nothing was too spicy, all dishes were aromatic and absolutely delicious. A lamb chop? Not just a lamb chop, a chargrilled lamb chop with ginger infusion and pomegranate seeds. The butter chicken is world-renowned and must be sampled. And the staples such as dal and peshwari chickpea are unmissable. With saffron rice, an assortment of breads, and an aubergine masala, surely there's no room for any more?


MAIN COURSE
SET #1


Prawn Coconut Curry
Gaylord Butter Chicken
Chana Peshawari
Lamb Chop Anardana
Dal Bukhara
Ah, but of course. Dessert. I rarely eat dessert in Indian restaurants, but now I think I may have been missing out. A traditional gulab jamun was flambéed with spiced dark rum. A flaked carrot pudding, nutty and hot, and a cardamom-infused Indian soft cheesecake. You think you have no room left? You have.


DESSERTS


Ras Malai
Gajar Halwa
Gulab Jamun with spiced Dark Rum


As if they weren't generous enough, we were each presented with a voucher as we rolled out onto the street, for a Royal Thali Feast lunch. So I certainly will be back in the very very near future. 

Thanks to Zomato for the invitation and to the wonderful staff at Gaylord Restaurant for a wonderful evening. 

Gaylord Restaurant
79-81 Mortimer Street
W1W 7SJ
020 7580 3615


Square Meal Gaylord Indian on Urbanspoon

3 comments:

  1. Very nice post, impressive. its quite different from other posts. Thanks for sharing.
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