Plain Raita Plain Raita

A cooling yogurt dish mixed with subtle spices and cucumbers, perfect to complement spicy Indian meals.

Pushkar

Pushkar

245 Broad Street, Birmingham, B12HQ, B1 2HQ, United Kingdom

Indian • Seafood • Cocktail • Delivery Services


"Birmingham is one of the two capitals of Indian food in England (the other one being Bradford). It is home to Balti dishes, and Balti houses abound all over the city. With so many great-tasting and reasonably-priced Indian food options around, it is quite impressive that a higher end, pricier Indian restaurant like Pushkar has established a loyal clientele. Pushkar sets itself apart from other Indian restaurants in the area due to its upscale setting, the high quality of its food ingredients, and especially its creative dessert offerings. My first dining experience at Pushkar was purely by chance. I was staying near Brindley Place, and happened to be walking past the restaurant, when I decided to stop and check out the menu. The duck masala sounded interesting, so I decided to try it, and it definitely exceeded my expectations. The thick tomato-based curry had a fantastic flavor profile that consisted of garlic, ginger, black pepper and red chilies. It paired well with basmati rice and a side of raita. Since my first visit, I have dined at Pushkar a few more times, and have always enjoyed everything I have tried. The murgh korma stands out as a rich, creamy, nutty curry dish that is perfect for you if you are in the mood for something less spicy. The innovative desserts at Pushkar are a major draw for me. The gajar ka halwa tart with pistachio ice cream is my personal favorite. The garam masala brulee sounded interesting, but didn't taste too different from regular crème brulee; the garam masala in it was really only a hint of cinnamon. It still was pretty tasty. The chocomosa is a filo samosa filled with chocolate and roast almonds, and is served with a scoop of cappuccino ice cream. Why had nobody else ever thought of creating a chocolate samosa, and if they did, why had I never eaten one before? Friends, if you find yourselves in Brummy, you must treat yourselves to a meal at Pushkar. It is truly deserving of all of the awards that have been bestowed upon it, including the 2015 British Curry Award, the 2015 Best of Broad Street Award, and the 2015 English Curry Award."

Hazara

Hazara

44 belsize lane, London, NW35AR, United Kingdom

Asian • Indian • Vegetarian • Delivery Services


"I have never found a restaurant in London that serves truly authentic Indian food, but Hazara comes pretty close. Be prepared to spend more here than at your average Indian restaurant. Let me explain further. During my visit to India, I dined at a roadside cafe called a dhaba on the Gurgaon Sohna road, and the food was fantastic. The chicken was roasted over an old oil-drum oven, giving it a delicious toasty flavor. It was served in a rich and spicy sauce made from fresh local ingredients, creating a burst of flavors. When my friend and I asked the chef about the recipe, he simply replied, "the way I usually make it." It's difficult to replicate truly authentic Indian cuisine outside of India. While it's nice to enjoy Indian food in London, your average Indian restaurant falls short of the real deal, in my opinion. It's worth visiting India and trying different dhabas each day for a truly authentic experience. In all fairness, Hazara is making a genuine effort to capture the essence of Indian cuisine. The lamb kebab starters were delicious, and the lamb main course had a strong fenugreek flavor, unique to a particular region. The Dhal Makhani was also authentic and enjoyable. The modern and chic interior of the restaurant was a bit dull in my opinion. Perhaps adding more antiques, statues, art, and sculptures from the sub-continent could enhance the dining experience."