This highly respected, award winning Indian restaurant delivers a high level of quality authentic food to London.

The Venue
The Empress is a gem tucked away in the plain surroundings of Aldgate East and only a gentle stroll from the respective tube station. The interior of the restaurant, however, is perfectly modern and in keeping with many Central London outfits. Contemporary furnishings with plush green and peach bound chairs, neutral walls and the good use of lighting (including a blue neon ceiling feature) shows that a lot of thought and attention has gone into the layout. Interesting Bangladeshi art sits proudly on the walls and a stunning, handcrafted wooden centrepiece depicting numerous animals being hunted runs along one side.

The Atmosphere
A broad mix of people on business and a dash of nearby workers popping in to collect their mouth-watering takeaway orders add that extra spice to this establishment. This is a cosy place for an after-dinner meal and ideal for work functions. The friendly and polite staff cannot do enough to please and make sure you are enjoying your dining experience.

The Food
Manik Miah holds the reins in The Empress and has been a head chef for over 20 years including in Bangladesh. He has brought his strong reputation over to London and has been rewarded with numerous awards including best chef and best Indian restaurant.

The cuisine does not disappoint. Nazakat, succulent tandoori grilled chicken is delicately spiced and stunning. Juicy, moist and cooked to perfection this comes with a special sauce individual to The Empress which is a mix of garlic, ginger, tamarind and cranberries. The sweetness of the cranberries really works well with the chicken. The lamb pancake is spicy and fresh and the special sauce finishes it off. The aloo chat, potato pancakes with a simple tangy sauce, is a zesty combination which hits your palate instantly.

Mains feature a medium spiced tasty New Zealand lamb bhuna with peppers and deep fried chilli - fortune favours the brave if you sink your teeth into one of those. The traditional Bangladeshi fish coated in a rich sauce with marinated onions and peppers is succulent and tender. Some accompaniments to complement any of the dishes include lemon rice with lemon zest, garlic lentils or a well cooked wilted spinach and potato combination. If you fancy a change from the normal classic lasagna the Empress does their own version incorporating turmeric, cumin and cinnamon which is an intense melting pot of flavours. When it comes to spiciness, the staff are more than happy to suggest variations depending on how much intensity you can handle.

Dessert highlights offer up an extremely refreshing mint chocolate chip ice cream or a traditional Indian sweet called kulfi. This is made from whole milk and cream and you can choose from either mango or pistachio. Also recommended is Funky Pie Ice Cream, a crunchy biscuit crumb cup filled with creamy vanilla ice cream and topped with toffee sauce and hazelnuts.

The Drink
There is a respectable wine list to choose from. The Blossom Hill Chardonnay is both crisp and dry and the intense and deep aroma of the Cotes du Rhone is worth a go as is the clean fresh Sancerre with a zingy gooseberry finish. A couple of Indian beers include Kingfisher and Cobra.

The Last Word
The Empress is arguably one of the best Indian restaurants in London and a high reputation that any restaurant would be proud of.

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