Words | Alex Riley
After enjoying some great takeaways from Indian Panorama during lockdown, it’s a welcome change to return to the relaxed and spacious atmosphere of this now well established Molesey restaurant.
Following a warm welcome by the team we were given plenty of time to have a good look through the extensive menu offering both familiar classics and plenty of original choices.
To kick off the papadum basket offers three varieties, plain and spicy, all tasty with a trio of delicious chutneys.
For starters the onion bhajis were as they should be with a good helping of fresh herbs and distinctive gram flour. The crab sukka masala was a delight, the delicate taste of the crab itself in no way lost in the garlic and ginger marinade and spicy tomato relish with which it was served. Mussels came with a moreish tomato and garlic broth packed with cayenne, cumin coriander and tamarind.
As with the starters, the main courses offer a wide range of vegetable, meat and fish-based options. The palak kofta curry is a must try as a vegetarian option – dumplings made with fresh vegetables and mildly spiced, served in a vivid green spinach sauce – delicious! For a spicier option the royal rajasthani laal maas is a slow cooked lamb dish enlivened with plenty of chilli heat, but not too much to overwhelm the other spices running through the dish.
The menu claims that the grilled burrah chops are melt in the mouth perfect, and we could not disagree with the result; marinated and chargrilled to bring out their flavours to a tee. The signature chicken malabar offered a good balance of chilli and spice tempered by a coconut milk-based sauce. The meat was perfectly cooked and tender; the gravy made to be mopped up with a buttery lachedar paratha.
Saag paneer and bhindi anokhi made great vegetable accompaniments on the side although the star of the show here was dal bukhara – whole black lentils, tomatoes and spices cooked low and slow – rich and quite delicious, and very moreish.
The kulfi pista was a fine finish to a great meal – traditional Indian ice cream flavoured with saffron, rose and pistachio.
The food here is excellent and the service friendly and attentive at all times. Our bill for three (including drinks) came to just over £130 which we felt offered good value.
Indian Panorama Restaurant, 98 Walton Road
East Molesey, KT8 0DL
indianpanorama.co.uk | 020 8979 5577
The Court Circular always purchases meals at the restaurants we review.