Unique and delicious Indian food with plenty of flavour and choice!
Some days there is just nothing more enjoyable than a full on Indian meal to satisfy a hungry belly. My plus one and I were certainly ready to take on that pleasure after a busy afternoon shopping at Westfield in Shepherd’s Bush. What better way to defeat a rumbling stomach after a spot of major retail therapy than with a fulfilling and incredibly tasty meal at Copper Chimney?
Situated in the vibrant Southern Terrace this contemporary and chic Indian restaurant is the perfect place to unwind, rest your tired shopped out legs and enjoy some delicious signature dishes from the expansive menu.
We took a seat in the middle of the restaurant taking in the view of the fully working kitchen, including the sight of the tandoor ovens in full action. Leafy plants added to the relaxing atmosphere which complimented the copper fixings perfectly.
Straight from the kitchen came bite sized popadums, served with super fresh tasting pickles. A perfect mix of mint with a kick, tamarind and sweet and fruity mango chutney which paired especially well with the mocktails we ordered. I order the Delhi Skinanji which caught my eye with its unusual ingredients. Mint and lemon with a slash of cold soda then the added magic – chaat masala. This gave a curry flavour to the drink which was surprisingly pleasant, and of course paired with and enhanced the flavours in my food. We also got an alcohol-free Daiquiri which came with fresh fruit which was refreshing and ice cold.
Appetites whetted by the enjoyable popadums our starters were promptly brought to us. Firstly, a street-side style favourite, the Delhi-Style Fried Chicken. The coating on the chicken was wonderfully tasty. Crispy and hot, with specks of spice and chilli. These were complimented perfectly with the mango chutney. Not usually a fan of that pickle, my dining partner was surprised to realise he loved it paired with the chicken. Then there was the Patti Samosas which were stuffed generously with lamb mince. There are plenty of vegetarian choices on the menu on offer, including the Green Pea and Aloo samosa which are also a must try as a starter.
I was drawn to the Saffron Shrimp for my main meal. Not just because it’s the spice I’m named after but because I adore prawn curries. I was not disappointed with my choice! It arrived in an unbelievably rich and mouthwatering sauce. With just the right amount of spicy heat, the prawns were able to shine alone in the deep layers of flavour. And I was pretty pleased to have ordered an accompanying garlic naan to mop up the generous sauce! The naan was perfection, light, buttered, with a crispy top layer.
My partner ordered the Lamb Rogan Josh. His delighted face said it all after the first mouthful. Again, the sauce was aromatic and plentiful. He described it as having “full, really rounded flavours” that left an amazing taste in his mouth. He also admitted that this was not an Indian meal he was used to. This is probably because the food at Copper Chimney is much more authentically North Indian, giving you more of an experience of eating in Bombay rather than the traditional watered down English version of the food. This is down to the founder’s (JK Kapur) wish to deliver his own secret recipes and techniques to the menu.
Now, I’m not one to normally finish with a desert in an Indian restaurant. Usually, the food has been too dense and filling. But here at Copper Chimney we don’t feel so bloated and the heat of chilli wasn’t overpowering. It was a warming and tasty rather than burning. So, we dove head first into a double desert to share. We were advised to try both the Gajar Pistachio Crumble and the Kulfi (a type of authentic Indian ice cream). The Gajar was super comfort food, with a taste a bit like carrot cake but with more depth. Immensely moist and hard to resist! I cleaned the plate!
Copper Chimney is an exciting and unique restaurant. You can see why it’s leading the way forward in Indian food and hospitality. The menu is really diverse with plenty of options. I will definitely be returning with my Indian food loving friends in the future!
For more information go to https://copperchimney.uk
Tel: 020 8059 4439
Email: [email protected]
Review and images by Saffron Bentley @saffbentley
