Having enjoyed fantastic dining experiences at the old Cafe Spice Namaste we couldn’t wait to pay a first visit to their new place. The location of the new restaurant is in a fabulous spot on the Royal Docks in east london on the River Thames giving you amazing views back up the river past City Airport to Canary Wharf. They really have found a great location and when you look around you’ll see that the area is also well populated. This can only be a benefit to the restaurant to make it as successful as the old place.
So on a cold and misty day we headed of to Gallion’s Reach on the DLR. From here it’s just a five minute walk to the restaurant but before you enter do admire the view. When we entered there was Pervin herself to greet us. As they now have a lovely bar area we decided to have a drink first as well as have a chat with Pervin and of course the man himself Mr Cyrus Todiwala. It was great to see them both again and they seemed very pleased with the new venue. We enjoyed a fabulous cocktail while also getting advice on the menu.
Now it was time to be escorted to our table where we were given a fabulous view of the river. So now to the menu which is also a bit different than before as it is now designed for sharing. You start with the Small Ones an extensive selection of small plates. Then there’s the Famous Saucy Ones which are larger portions. The recommendation was for two or three plates each. Then on the other side is a selection of Veg/Vegan dishes along with Breads , Rice and delicious desserts.
While enjoying some Poppadoms & Chutneys we chose a delightful Alvarinho Regueiro 2020 Portuguese wine with flavours of citrus , lime , peach and a mineral finish really was a great pairing.
It’s now time to move to the real reason we’re here the food itself and wow were we in for a treat. So sit back because there’s lot of food on the way. We started with a selection from the Small Ones including Paneer Halloumi Shashlik , Venison Tikka Aflatoon , Garlic Chilli & Ginger Prawn Balls , Roast Chicken Cafreal Zambeziana , Ginger Seasoned Lamb Cutlet & the amazing Five Cheese Chilli Toast. The dishes were perfectly cooked and the flavours on each plate were simply amazing.
We then had a little break before moving on to the Famous Saucy Ones. Here we chose the Goan Vindaloo of Pork Alenteijo Style with shelled clams and Pulav rice as well as the Lamb Dhaansaak. To accompany these dishes we opted to have a Kerala Paratha and a fantastic Badaam Narial Wali Naan (peshawari). We absolutely loved these dishes and really were in an Indian paradise. All this while enjoying watching Cyrus and the team in action in the open kitchen.
Now it was time to finish with desserts and the delights didn’t end here either as we enjoyed the Bebinca ( a multi layered portuguese coconut pancake) , Bombay Creme Caramel , Pistachio Kulfi and a scoop of Parsee Apricot Toffee Caramel ice cream.
We finished with a Masala Chai to bring to an end a fabulous dining experience and one I’ll look forward to repeating as soon as possible. The location is fabulous , the bar area is a great addition , the food is absolutely stunning , the service was very friendly. So yes it will now come as no surprise that I would highly recommend a visit here even if you just want to pop in for a drink , a quick bite or a long relaxing lunch/dinner. Cyrus & Pervin are a fantastic hard working couple and an absolute pleasure to meet. Their knowledge really is second to none and they are also welcome to any feedback you give as they only want to make your experience the best it can be.
Thank You Cyrus , Pervin and all the team for a fantastic lunch and look forward to seeing you...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of dining at the Michelin guide Indian restaurant and I must say, it was an incredible experience. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm hospitality and a welcoming atmosphere.
One of the highlights of my dining experience was the tapas style menu. It allowed me to try a variety of dishes and flavours without feeling overwhelmed. The lamb chop was cooked to perfection, tender and juicy with just the right amount of spices. The beetroot and coconut samosa was a delightful surprise, with a crispy exterior and a flavourful filling. The lamb dhansak was another standout dish, with its rich and aromatic sauce.
I also had the pleasure of trying the papaya salad, which was a refreshing and light option. The combination of flavors and textures in the beef fry with paratha was simply divine. The dish was packed with bold spices and the paratha was perfectly flaky.
For dessert, I indulged in the crème brûlée and the apple crumble samosa. The crème brûlée had a perfectly caramelized top and a creamy custard underneath. The apple crumble samosa was a unique twist on a classic dessert, with a crispy samosa shell filled with warm apple filling and topped with a crunchy crumble.
The selection of wine at the restaurant was impressive. The sommelier was knowledgeable and helped me choose the perfect wine to complement my meal. The wine list had a great variety, catering to different tastes and preferences.
The customer service at the restaurant was top-notch. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. They were always ready to answer any questions and provide recommendations. The waitstaff ensured that my dining experience was seamless and enjoyable.
Chef Todiwala and his wife Pervin create a welcoming ambiance at their restaurant, enhancing the dining experience. After savoring my meal, I couldn't resist buying a selection of the chef's pickles, chutneys, and spice mixes to enjoy the delightful flavors they add to every dish.
Overall, my experience at the Michelin guide Indian restaurant was exceptional. The tapas style menu allowed me to explore a variety of flavors, the selection of wine was impressive, and the customer service was outstanding. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a memorable...
Read moreCafe Spice Namaste This without doubt is our favourite Indian restaurant and to be honest it’s not hard to see why. We’ve been coming here quite regularly in recent years for their fabulous khaadras clubs , burns nights and other events. We’ve also on occasions enjoyed the amazing tasting menu. On Saturday we wanted to go for the A la Carte which we haven’t tried for a while and what a perfect time to do so as the menu was full of NEW and exciting dishes. The restaurant is just a short five minute walk from Gallions Reach DLR and sits on the river thames giving you amazing views of city airport and Canary Wharf. When you enter you will be given a friendly welcome from the team and especially your fantastic hosts Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala. We took our seats and with delight looked at all the new dishes on the menu and specials board. There was also a new cocktails and a new beer as well so it was obvious we were in for another great afternoon. I indeed started with the New Glengoyne Long Zest cocktail with whiskey , vanilla , syrup , ginger ale and angostura bitters. We then chose four dishes from the small plates to begin which were the special Chicken Tikka Naanwich , the Kale , spinach and onion bhajias , the Petra Ni Machchi and the Onion and Chilli Dosa. All the food was absolutely delicious with the flavours and spices bouncing around your palate with joy. After a little break it was now time for the main courses which we accompanied with the new Malabar IPA and a bottle of Tiki Estate 2023 Sauvignon Blanc full of tropical notes and a hint of lemongrass. Our manis were the Spiced Ginger Lamb Cutlets , Paneer and Pea Khurma , Caramelised Onion Rice and the Dynamite Potatoes that were all incredible. We finished with dessert where my wife chose her favourite the Parsee Apricot Toffee Caramel ice cream and I opted for the delicious Bebinca with vanilla ice cream. This brought to an end a fabulous afternoon but not before Cyrus and Pervin sat down with us for a nice chat which also gave us the perfect opportunity to thank them and the team. I really can’t recommend a visit here highly enough and are looking forward to many more amazing dining experiences here in the future. Thank You Cyrus , Pervin and all the team and see you...
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