Phone: (+44)2037650000
Address: 181 Tooley St, London SE1 2JR, United Kingdom, Central Dr, Hornchurch
City: Central Dr, Hornchurch
Dishes: 12
Reviews: 17
Website: https://www.thelalit.com
"Baluchi is a pan-Indian dining restaurant in London within the Lalit hotel, set in the historic Grade II listed former St. Olave’s Grammar School. Baluchi can be found in what was the Great Hall and it’s one seriously stunning location. The high ceiling, royal blue colour, dark woods and beams, floor to ceiling windows and chandeliers give it a truly sophisticated, regal feel. Chef Jomon was funny, passionate and absolutely lovely. He told us tales and stories from India, the history to naan and tiffins they are lunch boxes with different levels which used to be shared among colleagues/friends at lunchtime) and made plenty of jokes. You could see his passion for the food, and his team, shine through throughout the whole evening. He even introduced us to part of the team and let us know that they all have a say in the menu and how things are presented at Baluchi. The Naan’ery experience at the bread bar £55 for solo, £99 for two) at Baluchi, features four courses of bread with accompanying dips and wine, followed by a tiffin to share. We were sat at the bar, right at the front of the restaurant, where we could see the breads being prepared. Chef Jomon told us how to make the naan – we even got to have a hand at making them ourselves! We rolled, filled and flattended them, ready for Chef Jomon to bake in the tandoor oven which is super hot! It was a fantastic experience getting to help and see it all up close. We were impressed by the fact they had a tandoor oven out by the bar so the bread could be cooked right in front of people dining. The first naan course is a fig and cheese kulcha, made with paneer. The paneer was grated rather than in the usual chunky form, making it spread throughout and giving the naan a creamier finish overall, rather than just little pockets of oozy cheese. The fig added a sweet edge too. The second naan is a porcini and truffle one. It’s a delicate balance of earthy truffle and nutty mushrooms. The definition of umami – a flavour which enlightens all the taste buds in the mouth. It arrived with a powerful tamarind dip, which added an extra element to the potent flavours and complimented the mushroom well. The paired wine was an MS Fratelli White; a smooth, crisp wine which complimented the mushroom well. The third bread course is a blue cheese naan made with a French blue. Again, this isn’t overly powerful, yet the blue cheese adds a nice creamy touch and a delicious underlying flavour. You wouldn’t have thought it was blue cheese though if you hadn’t been told – this bread actually changed Chef Jomon’s opinion on this type of cheese! It came with a delicious, tangy tomato dip making this course almost remind us of pizza – the cheese and the tomato. A glass of the MS Fratelli Red was served to accompany the naan. It was full-bodied, with tannins, making it quite potent. We thought the wine was fab, although perhaps could have had a slightly lighter variety to go with the cheese. Last but not least, we ended on a sweet note with a coconut and mango naan. It reminded us a touch of peshwari, subtle-y sweet. It’s served with a fantastic red berry/cherry dip, making it feel like a dessert option. A small glass of Muscat de Beaumes Devenise accompanied the final course. It’s a sweet dessert wine which is very sweet, and incredibly moreish. We couldn’t get enough. The breads were rounded off with a tiffin filled with Butter Chicken, Dal Baluchi, pilau rice and carrot halwa. The butter chicken was tender, creamy and aromatic. A fab, smooth and tasty curry which isn’t very spicy. We loved the lentil dal which was packed with flavour, and the pilau rice was perfectly cooked and fluffy. The carrot halwa was super sweet and stodgy making a delicious end to such a feast. This was an incredible experience at a seriously stunning pan Indian restaurant in London. There was also next level service, which such passion and humour radiating from Chef Jomon."
Menu - 12 options
All prices are estimates.
Naan
A soft, oven-baked flatbread, perfect for scooping up curries or savoring on its own, with a light, fluffy texture.
Kulfi
Kulfi is a creamy, traditional Indian frozen dessert flavored with cardamom, saffron, and nuts.
Biryani
Biryani is a fragrant rice dish cooked with tender meat, aromatic spices, and herbs, offering a rich and flavorful experience.
Paneer Tikka
Grilled cottage cheese cubes marinated in aromatic spices, served with zesty mint chutney.
Chicken Curry
Tender chicken simmered in a rich, spiced curry sauce with aromatic herbs and a touch of coconut milk.
Butter Chicken
Tender chicken pieces simmered in a creamy tomato and butter sauce, infused with aromatic spices.
Paneer Makhani
Paneer Makhani is a creamy, rich curry featuring paneer cubes in a buttery, tomato-based sauce with aromatic spices.
Chicken Biryani
A fragrant rice dish with tender chicken pieces, aromatic spices, and a hint of saffron.
Blue Cheese Salad
Blue Cheese Salad: Crisp greens, tangy blue cheese crumbles, cherry tomatoes, walnuts, and creamy dressing.
Shankar
Superlative food in a lovely setting. I strongly recommend this place.
Address
Reviews
Craig
The food was amazing! From the kebab platter, lamb Britain, to the butter chicken, even the dessert! Staff were really friendly, would definitely recommend.
Jordi
We had a very nice dinner full of flavours. Service was very polite and taking care of you all the time. We said we didn't like much spicy and they helped us choosing the proper dishes. Even the chef came out of the kitchen to ask us if everything was ok!
Lucy
I decided to dine here with my family and a friend as we were staying in the Lalit. The waitress was more than accommodating and the staff were quite welcoming. I found the food to be adequate yet the portions were small at times. The desserts were really amazing! The ambience was really luxurious and the restaurant had a beautiful sophisticated decor. Overall a great experience, would definitely revisit for the dessert.
Tarun
Located in The Lalit hotel. Went over the Xmas holidays Was a bit quiet, so Service was exceptional (and personal . Had a lovely (Spanish? Server called Santiago who was talktative and helpful with recommendations. Food was very, very good. In particular the Mushroom kebab (melt in your mouth soft Paneer Makhani Naan for mains. Dessert Paan infused Kulfi was falooda was dee lish! Only one thing that was average was the Kateil (Jackfruit Kofte. Couldnt make out whether there was any Jackfruit in it! Meal for two two starters, two mains (with two naans , two desserts two cocktails came to £110 (incl Service . In short: RECOMMEND.
Karen
Just finished a wonderful dinner in the Great hall of Baluchi's. Worth every bit as you get to take in the magnificent architecture of the old St Olaves and keeping up with the theme the amazing Baluchi and it's mouth watering food. All courtesy of Chef de Cuisine Jomon Kuriakose aka @chefjomon who took a special interest in us just by seeing a familiar malayali surname in the many bookings he had for the day! He recognised we were from the same state and made us feel very homely by giving the grand tour and sharing his vision of plating naadan authentic Indian food with the subtle touch of divine Kerala taste. One to visit and experience definitely...
Mitul
The high tea was very underwhelming and tasted not great! The chai was not good tasted a little off and nothing like the chai from dishoom or any other indian restaurant. The lassi was good, but the food was not, it tasted mediocre and possibly frozen. The sweets also looked packaged, and did not taste very fresh. Would not recommend paying the high price for what they have to offer. Some of the food was undercooked. When we raised concerns, the manager didn't even come over and we paid upwards of 50 pounds per person for some dhokla, lassi, bhel, and samosa. PLEASE do not do the high tea experience here! I even posted the review before I left the building because of how much we both dislike...
Ruby
I would like to start of by saying Corneilu who was looking after us was very good. He took our drinks order and food order in good time and starters came out quickly. The mess that happened after wasn 't his fault, he was rushed of his feet and all the time I was there he was jumping from table to table. Now into the issues. The starters came and were fine. Then it took an hour for our mains to arrive. And they only arrived because Corneilu chased it up. After an hour waiting the prawns came out. They sat on the table and got cold because it took a further 1Ominutes for anything else to come out. Burger came out cold too. The curry and naan were fine. Now we asked for the prawns and burger...
Julia
Great concept, cute presentation. However, the experience was underwhelming. I scheduled a High Chai for 2:30pm on a Friday. I was one of two dining parties in the entire Gallery of the Lalit. As a single diner, I was seated directly in the center, facing the wall. The empty space was quiet with soft music piped in; staff were mingling about setting up for (what I hope) is an evening rush and a phone loudly ringing near reception, and the echo of footsteps and dishes in the room over. First was the masala chai and mango lassi. Cute presentation, I was given a small whimsical glass of tea and a bottle of lassi with a straw. both good. I ordered the vegetarian plate. The samosas were good and...
East
Baluchi is a pan-Indian dining restaurant in London within the Lalit hotel, set in the historic Grade II listed former St. Olave’s Grammar School. Baluchi can be found in what was the Great Hall and it’s one seriously stunning location. The high ceiling, royal blue colour, dark woods and beams, floor to ceiling windows and chandeliers give it a truly sophisticated, regal feel. Chef Jomon was funny, passionate and absolutely lovely. He told us tales and stories from India, the history to naan and tiffins they are lunch boxes with different levels which used to be shared among colleagues/friends at lunchtime) and made plenty of jokes. You could see his passion for the food, and his team, shine...
Categories
-
Indian Savor the rich flavors and aromatic spices of India with our authentic Indian cuisine. From savory curries to freshly baked naan, experience a diverse array of dishes that capture the essence of traditional Indian cooking.
-
Cheese A curated selection of artisanal cheeses from around the world, featuring diverse flavors and textures that delight the palate. Perfect for sharing or savored individually with the ideal accompaniments.
-
Burgers Juicy, flavorful burgers crafted with premium ingredients, from classic beef to unique vegetarian options, all served with fresh toppings and a choice of hand-cut fries or a crisp salad.
-
Chicken Succulent and savory, our chicken dishes are crafted with tender meat, flavorful seasonings, and diverse culinary inspirations. Enjoy a delectable variety that's sure to satisfy every palate.
