Restaurant Review: Quilon
IF YOU'RE looking for an upmarket curry in a prestigious location London's Quilon is a tasty choice.
The restaurant in St James' Park offers fine South West Coastal Indian Cuisine just a short walk away from Buckingham Palace.
The head chef was once of of the top five chefs in India and it really shows. On arrival we’re shown to our seats and immediately asked what our favourite spices are.
We’re offered an array of starters that cater to our personal tastes and eventually opt for individual platters with a selection of the chef’s recommendations.
A short while later we’re presented with Mini Masala Dosas, thin rice and lentil pancakes filled with tempered potatoes, and sizzling Grilled Scallops with a touch of coconut cream.
The cone pancake’s smooth texture works well with the potato and relieves some of the kick from the spices, and the scallops have a perfect firm but flaky texture.
Before ordering our mains we are brought small glasses of Rasam, a moderately spiced tomato and coriander-based appertizer made to clean the pallet.
For main course we opt for Baked Black Cod and Prawn Pappas. Our waiter recommends a few sides to compliment our dishes.
Malabar Paratha is the first of our side-dishes. This consists of thin rich pancake bread cooked in ghee on a skillet.
Avial is a sharp salad supplement with pumpkin batons, yams and carrots cooked with coconut, green chillies and cumin – not the best dish to complement the rich feel of our mains but perhaps better with a spicier dish.
Okra Pachadi was by far the best of all three sides. With hints of coconut and a mix of yoghurt these fried okra stems were an absolute delight with enough flavours and body to be a main dish alone.
Our subtly spiced baked black cod got a few serious grunts of approval from my partner, who commented it was “the best fish I’ve ever had”. A slightly twangy taste was followed by a melting buttery texture, slow cooked to delicate perfection.
The Prawn Pappas was a tender mixture of onion, and mild spices marinated and served with a tomato and coconut sauce.
The atmosphere was calm and serene but it wasn’t long before couples and business groups were filling the empty tables.
Much to my surprise, the manager and headwaiter spent equal time at each table, mingling with guests and offering options based on their personal tastes.
It’s no surprise that many of the punters are regulars, back for another helping of their favourite dishes put together with such passion and talent.
A meal for two with starters and two glasses of wine start at £72.00
