Baluchi - A Pan Indian Destination — Restaurant in London

Baluchi is a pan-Indian dining restaurant in London within the Lalit hotel, set in the historic Grade II listed former St. Olave’s Grammar School. Baluchi can be found in what was the Great Hall and it’s one seriously stunning location. The high ceiling, royal blue colour, dark woods and beams, floor to ceiling windows and chandeliers give it a truly sophisticated, regal feel.

Chef Jomon was funny, passionate and absolutely lovely. He told us tales and stories from India, the history to naan and tiffins (they are lunch boxes with different levels which used to be shared among colleagues/friends at lunchtime) and made plenty of jokes. You could see his passion for the food, and his team, shine through throughout the whole evening. He even introduced us to part of the team and let us know that they all have a say in the menu and how things are presented at Baluchi.

The Naan’ery experience at the bread bar (£55 for solo, £99 for two) at Baluchi, features four courses of bread with accompanying dips and wine, followed by a tiffin to share. We were sat at the bar, right at the front of the restaurant, where we could see the breads being prepared.

Chef Jomon told us how to make the naan – we even got to have a hand at making them ourselves! We rolled, filled and flattended them, ready for Chef Jomon to bake in the tandoor oven which is super hot! It was a fantastic experience getting to help and see it all up close. We were impressed by the fact they had a tandoor oven out by the bar so the bread could be cooked right in front of people dining.

The first naan course is a fig and cheese kulcha, made with paneer. The paneer was grated rather than in the usual chunky form, making it spread throughout and giving the naan a creamier finish overall, rather than just little pockets of oozy cheese. The fig added a sweet edge too.

The second naan is a porcini and truffle one. It’s a delicate balance of earthy truffle and nutty mushrooms. The definition of umami – a flavour which enlightens all the taste buds in the mouth. It arrived with a powerful tamarind dip, which added an extra element to the potent flavours and complimented the mushroom well. The paired wine was an MS Fratelli White; a smooth, crisp wine which complimented the mushroom well.

The third bread course is a blue cheese naan made with a French blue. Again, this isn’t overly powerful, yet the blue cheese adds a nice creamy touch and a delicious underlying flavour. You wouldn’t have thought it was blue cheese though if you hadn’t been told – this bread actually changed Chef Jomon’s opinion on this type of cheese! It came with a delicious, tangy tomato dip making this course almost remind us of pizza – the cheese and the tomato.

A glass of the MS Fratelli Red was served to accompany the naan. It was full-bodied, with tannins, making it quite potent. We thought the wine was fab, although perhaps could have had a slightly lighter variety to go with the cheese.

Last but not least, we ended on a sweet note with a coconut and mango naan. It reminded us a touch of peshwari, subtle-y sweet. It’s served with a fantastic red berry/cherry dip, making it feel like a dessert option. A small glass of Muscat de Beaumes Devenise accompanied the final course. It’s a sweet dessert wine which is very sweet, and incredibly moreish. We couldn’t get enough.

The breads were rounded off with a tiffin filled with Butter Chicken, Dal Baluchi, pilau rice and carrot halwa. The butter chicken was tender, creamy and aromatic. A fab, smooth and tasty curry which isn’t very spicy. We loved the lentil dal which was packed with flavour, and the pilau rice was perfectly cooked and fluffy. The carrot halwa was super sweet and stodgy making a delicious end to such a feast.

This was an incredible experience at a seriously stunning pan Indian restaurant in London. There was also next level service, which such passion and humour radiating...

Visiting Baluchi is akin to embarking on a culinary journey across the diverse landscapes of India, where each dish tells a story of its region. The ambiance at Baluchi sets a welcoming tone, reminiscent of an opulent yet cozy Indian haveli, which immediately transports one into the heart of India's rich tapestry of culture.

Food: The menu at Baluchi is an ode to the vastness of Indian cuisine, offering a spectrum from the fiery curries of the South to the delicate, aromatic dishes of the North. Our experience began with the Kebab Platter, which was a delightful introduction - each kebab, be it the succulent Galouti or the spicy Hariyali, was crafted with precision, showcasing the chef's understanding of flavors. The Bhindi (Okra) was a crowd-pleaser, with its rich, creamy sauce that balanced sweetness with the right amount of spice, though one might wish for a bit more depth in the tomato base for that authentic Indian touch.

The bread basket offered was a mini-festival of tastes, with each offering revealing a new aspect of Indian culinary art. It was that melt-in-your-mouth texture that this bread basket is famous for.

Service: The service at Baluchi deserves applause for its warmth and efficiency. The staff's knowledge about the dishes, especially the regional specialties, added an educational layer to the dining experience, making it not just a meal but a cultural exchange. Their attentiveness ensured that the dining pace was comfortable, allowing time to savor each course without feeling rushed.

Ambiance: The decor, with its intricate carvings and soft lighting, creates an intimate setting that's perfect for both a romantic evening or a gathering with friends. The music adds a soulful backdrop, enhancing the overall experience.

Conclusion: Baluchi - A Pan Indian Destination lives up to its name by offering a broad canvas of Indian flavors, though with room for refinement in certain dishes to truly capture the essence of regional authenticity. For anyone looking to explore the breadth of Indian cuisine in one sitting, Baluchi provides a commendable experience, wrapped in hospitality that makes you feel like an honored guest in someone's home. While not every dish might hit the mark of perfection, the journey through the menu is certainly worth taking for any food enthusiast or someone looking to dive into the culinary...

Great concept, cute presentation. However, the experience was underwhelming. I scheduled a High Chai for 2:30pm on a Friday. I was one of two dining parties in the entire Gallery of the Lalit. As a single diner, I was seated directly in the center, facing the wall. The empty space was quiet with soft music piped in; staff were mingling about setting up for (what I hope) is an evening rush and a phone loudly ringing near reception, and the echo of footsteps and dishes in the room over. First was the masala chai and mango lassi. Cute presentation, I was given a small whimsical glass of tea and a bottle of lassi with a straw. both good. I ordered the vegetarian plate. The samosas were good and probably the highlight. The veggie kathi roll was also okay but not a personal favorite. The second tray included the array of chutneys, bhel, and dhokla. The bhel had a slightly salty flavor that lingered, similar to a large flaky salt. Would have preferred a citrus or tangy aftertaste instead. And the khaman dhokla was dry, even with the addition of chutneys. Top level sweets were also good, but nothing fantastic and could have had more variety. I was provided only one cup of chai, and was not revisited by wait staff after the snacks were delivered and waited almost another 20 minutes past finishing before I was asked about the bill. The handful of staff in the Gallery seemed to be unaware there was a customer and spent this time pacing across the room in front of my table without so much as a smile to warm up my dining experience. While this is something unique and a wonderful space, it lacked passion, creativity, and liveliness that it should have had. I would my experience receiving masala chai while queuing for Dishoom was much more invigorating and provided more value in quality and environment. The lack of service and personality make the High Chai at the Lalit a pass rather than...