FOOD + DRINK Culturally-Curated Cuisine cont...
Essence at The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells essencerestaurants. co. uk
CINNAMON CULTURE
Housed within a Grade II-listed Georgian building nestled along The Pantiles, the historic colonnade at the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Essence brings the culinary vision of acclaimed chef Atul Kochhar to life. At the forefront of fine Indian dining for more than 30 years, Atul’ s aims to bring a touch of the East to one of Kent’ s most celebrated destinations.
The menu showcases modern pan-Indian cuisine, drawing inspiration from across the length and breadth of India. Combining the country’ s diverse regional flavours with the finest British produce, each dish offers a contemporary interpretation of India’ s rich culinary heritage.
Among the menu’ s highlights is the Kuzhambu seafood curry, featuring pan-seared king prawns, sea bass, mussels and grilled asparagus, all served in an aromatic and piquant sauce of fresh tomatoes and coconuts. Alternatively, the Methi Gosht pairs tender cuts of leg of lamb with fresh baby spinach and fenugreek, a subtly sweet and aromatic spice, before being finished with fresh ginger.
For dessert, the delicate apricot pudding provides a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the main courses. Drizzled with a tangy apricot sauce and served alongside stem ginger and turmeric ice cream, it combines sweet, sharp and gently spiced flavours in one final dish.
Cinnamon Culture, Chislehurst cinnamonculture. com
An authentic taste of regional India can be found at Cinnamon Culture, an independent fine-dining restaurant tucked away in the quiet streets of Chislehurst, just a stone’ s throw from the bustle of London. Step inside and you’ ll find a contemporary interior, with warm, subdued lighting, plush seating and tasteful decor creating an intimate and elevated setting.
FIFTEEN SQUARE METRES
Moving beyond the traditional curry house, head chef Punit Kumar brings a modern touch to authentic Indian cuisine, drawing on spices, ingredients and culinary influences from across the country. Expect dishes such as tender Welsh lamb chops marinated in spiced yoghurt and fresh ginger for a creamy richness alongside chilli paneer with pan-fried Indian cheese tossed in garlic, chilli, peppers and onions.
For those looking to try something a little more adventurous, the menu ventures beyond the ordinary, offering dishes such as a trio of archari ostrich fillet paired with Kashmiri chilli and honey chicken, or a flavoursome adraki lamb chop. Each dish can be paired with one of Cinnamon Culture’ s signature cocktails, from ginger Champagne to the Mumbai gimlet, combining gin, lime juice and a homemade curry leaflime syrup for an exotic taste of Indian fusion.
Fifteen Square Metres, Broadstairs fifteensquaremetres. co. uk
For an intimate dining experience, make your way to the coastal streets of Broadstairs, where Fifteen Square Metres is every bit as intimate in its culinary offering as it is in its setting. Aptly named, the restaurant spans just 15 square metres, creating an intimate 16-seat space where every dish takes centre stage.
Here, guests are transported across continents through the cooking of chef Tony Rodd. Having previously run a two AA Rosette restaurant in South East London, Rodd
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