Namak Craighall Park - Authentic North Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Gauteng

I am generally not keen on buffet type of meals but I do love the idea of lots of little bits, it is really a catch 22 situation.

The approach to the restaurant was a bit daunting as the tables outside was occupied by some early evening beer party goers with heavy security presence.

The wheelchair ramp made an easy walk to the front of house where we were met by Raj the owner who knew me by name... not sure how.... lucky guess I assume, not actually, we were the only party of two on reservation.

We walked into what one could easily mistake for a awkward school hall decked out for a makeshift dinner... tables laid out with labelled Bain Marie's on one side... crockery and cutlery against the wall on the other... and there was my table next to the unlit fireplace with my name on a reserved chalk board stand.

I was not so sure about this as it was a tad awkward as all eyes were on us... and the atmosphere was stiff.

We were walked to the table by our waiter, who promptly produced the drinks menu. My partner and I tried to navigate how does this work. Simple you would say.. take a plate and shovel away. Not so, when being closely watched by the aunties from every corner adding to the pressure. I felt like an uninitiated groom on my wedding night.

It would have been nice if part of the meet and greet was an explanation of how the buffet worked, for example do you use the same cutlery and crockery or do you take a new set each time you want more food. I saw people take the same plates and cutlery in hand going for more and decided its not for me... I decided to do me.. a new set for a new taste.

The food setup with simple, with small amounts that got replenished as the last bits were about to be taken... precision timing and you are assured of fresh hot food.

For starters we had mince samosas filled with real mince and no trace of being bulked with copious amounts of onion,

The brinjals chips were snap crispy and not oily at all... chicken tikka cubes were soft and delectable and onion bhajia (pokoras) were singing with flavour. If you felt like messing up these profiles, you had a tamarind dip, a runny mint chutney and a schezwan sauce .. my least favourite of the trio. The mango pickle was authentically India based as you could taste those foreign spices and good mustard oil.

For those Indian food connoisseurs the food at Namak punches way above its weight and hits the flavour town target again and again.. NO Heat... but what beautiful flavours that does the moonwalk on your tongue.

The succulent mutton curry with gentle slivers of fresh ginger had ample gravy as did the chicken masala, and my not so favourite paneer makhani, but 10/10 for this version... the dhal tadkha was how I love dhal... thick and bursting with flavour and delicately braised/ tadkhaed. The potato curry was a genuine dissapoint...the soft potatoes were not cooked in the gravy but I guess boiled and simmered briefly in a gravy... if only a gentle yellow potato curry but alas.

When we got to our table with our starters the atmosphere was a bit better and we were greted at our table by my partners Bombay crush and my fresh mint and lemon juice ( ice on the side you get more juice 😉 )

The food was heavenly but not enough heat for me... I asked for and was given some chopped green chillies... Raj recommended some chilli powder instead as fresh green chillies would detract from the food authenticity..and so right he was... so it's chilli powder for me from now on for that heat bomb.

Dessert was gulab jamun, not the classic version we are used to but a version dunked in saffron and ginger infused syrup... two bols is all it takes... was bleeding good. I would have paid for ice-cream to go with this... but I was too stuffed by then to even bother... I was really craving a decent cup of coffee with my gulabs but was advised the coffee machine was broken.

Service was impeccable, food was ample portions of authentic goodness not trying to be something its not and Raj the perfect host.

This place definitely...

Namak is so special - the decor is classy, formal with a welcoming atmosphere. The staff, including the owner, are lovely and very helpful. And the food - heavenly. I honestly can’t remember when I had a lamb korma so perfectly cooked with its subtle flavouring of crushed cashew nuts, cream and spices (Marks & Spencer lamb korma, take a back seat - it’s just not comparable). The vegetable biriyani was perfect, the paneer spinach too. The portions are big and the prices extremely reasonable. You’re getting so much more than you pay for. Honestly, I wanted to suggest that they raise their prices slightly. I would hate for them to go out of business. I loved the lassi, naan, etc. And, in proper Indian hospitality style, you do not pay extra for the rice! I am definitely going back for my birthday. P.s. they serve wine, etc. I left the restaurant feeling lighter, happy and content. With lots of leftovers for midnight...

The venue smacks of a school dining hall except without the tradition and atmosphere - clothing store change-room lighting. One of our party of three had the chicken korma which he asked for 'medium'. It had no heat whatsoever - in spice or temperature - tasted sweet , a bit like baby puree. I shared a lamb biriyani - it arrived coldish and was mediocre - we got two pieces of lamb each. The garlic Naan was grim- thin and arbitrary and the butter roti no better. The sweetcorn and cheese samosas were cold and gross with no sweetcorn in sight - just a glutinous serving of I don't know what exactly. The cauliflower dish - Pepper Ghobi tasted nice but arrived cold. Overpriced for what it is - they were doing a roaring trade with take-aways and maybe they should stick with that because the sit down option was dismal. So disappointing - it was a birthday treat but without the treat as...