SHAMPAN AT THE SPINNING WHEEL , WESTERHAM
FOOD + DRINK
SOPHISTICATION , STYLE AND INGENIOUS DISHES ...
SHAMPAN AT THE SPINNING WHEEL , WESTERHAM
FOR 34 YEARS , SHAMPAN HAS BEEN REDEFINING INDIAN FINE DINING . A COMMITMENT TO CREATIVITY , CLASSICS REIMAGINED AND A FOCUS ON FLAVOUR AWAIT AT THIS WESTERHAM JEWEL . BY OLIVIA RICCINI
1989 . A turning point in political history which saw the fall of the Berlin Wall , the liberation of Nelson Mandela and the surfacing of the internet . It saw Technotronic ’ s ‘ Pump Up the Jam ’ and Madonna ’ s ‘ Like a Prayer ’ top the charts , The Simpsons first appear on our TV screens , and Indiana Jones venture on his last crusade at our cinemas . Optimism , faith in the future and a sense of shared humanity defined a year , and this , it seemed , had filtered down to our Kentish corner of the UK and into the dreams of a man that was to change the concept of Indian food and fine dining in Kent forever .
That man was Sufian Miah , who along with his father , their passion for dining and the cultural flavours of India , opened the very first Shampan in
Bromley . Over the next two decades , Shampan impressed hoards of diners , and in 2011 Sufian ’ s hard work and determination led him to embark on his biggest and most ambitious project yet , opening the doors of Shampan at The Spinning Wheel for the very first time . It was here , one warm September evening exactly 34 years after the first Shampan opened , I found myself , ready to embark on a journey of intense flavour and inspired Indian cuisine .
A place with an exterior that suits its Kentish setting , any newcomer to Shampan that had no idea what lay behind its doors , would like me , be wowed upon entry . A tiny two-bed thatched cottage sits modelvillage like at the front of the restaurant , showing that although proudly Indian at its core and in concept , Shampan is undoubtedly connected with its local community and Kentish surroundings . Just six miles from Sevenoaks , Shampan has identified the area ’ s requirement for luxury , the interiors beautifully juxtaposed with an original exterior . As I step inside , I am immediately greeted by sleek , contemporary surroundings . Low-lighting illuminates chic furnishings and decor ; velour seating underpins the laid-back allure of the cocktail lounge to my left , while statement pieces and arty , architectural features adorn the walls that lead to the rest of this large restaurant .
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