The owners of Veeraswamy have created a hip and trendy Indian grill in the heart of Belgravia.

The Venue
Tucked away in a high end shopping arcade, this large, modern space is set to impress. It’s seemingly a bit muddled and you’ll have to weave yourself in and out of the wooden tables to make way for the dining experience to begin. Right in front of the open kitchen the big, roaring hot tandoor grills are visible and chefs are calmly chopping away for the feast that awaits.

The Atmosphere
The opulent interior of this restaurant and the location brings in Knightsbridge shoppers, Belgravia residents and celebrities in hoards. The shadowy and sparkly lighting made the large openness of the room with jewelled tiles and timbered beams feel beautifully luxurious. Tables are spread apart so you can have a conversation without being heard and the plush leather chairs sink you in and make you very comfortable. The air of Belgravia is not present in this smart restaurant, although there are a few snobbish elements, it is not a pretentious restaurant. The staff that greet you at the door are friendly but the staff on the floor seem slightly unaware of the menu and not helpful towards ordering options.

The Food
Ordering is of the fashionable sharing style. First comes an array of different accompaniments such as sauces and spice sprinkles, then comes small, child-sized portions of dishes that are elegantly presented and not in a traditional Indian fashion.

Tandoori black pepper chicken tikka is smoky, tender, perfectly spiced and aromatic. Sweet potato chad are crispy and spicy little cubes of potato which are scattered with mango powder. Monkfish tikka is soft and delicate in a rich and pungent tomatoey sauce. Scrumptious little ginger, lime and coriander lamb chops are stuffed with minced lamb to give extra flavour and the tandoor broccoli are slightly blackened, crunchy and covered in a yoghurt sauce. Shalgam Gosht Osso Bucco is full of spicy undertones and the meat is slow-cooked to reveal a succulent and juicy meat. Choices of rice, curries and naan feature typically and there is a separate menu for people with allergies and diabetes. Desserts included a pomegranate granita that is fresh and light, although an interesting interpretation of a bread and butter pudding is not so great.

The Drink
There is a plentiful wine list that features many choices by the glass. There is also a good selection of cocktails to sip at the small but classy bar before or after dinner.

The Last Word
Amaya is a good addition to the Masala World family. The service could be more helpful and the food seems very slow to come out, although the lightness of each dish gives Indian food a healthy alternative to what people are normally used to in this country. Quite heavy on the credit card so go as a treat and eat something before you go.

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