Every so often, we visit a restaurant that has the perfect combination of good looks, great food and friendly service. Zaika of Kensington ticks all these boxes, fusing contemporary Indian cuisine with the Awadhi traditions of Northern India.
Awadhi cooking is characterized by elaborate dishes with a refined mix of flavours and spices. Zaika is housed in a spectacular 19th century former bank, which retains many original features yet has comfortable modern seating. It first opened in 1999 and joined the Tamarind Collection in 2012.
The group is well known for its sister restaurant, Tamarind in Mayfair, which was the first Indian fine dining Indian restaurant in the world to receive a Michelin star. They also have a thriving outside catering operation that’s the preferred caterer at venues such as Lords Cricket Ground and the Science Museum.
Fresh flowers are in abundance throughout the restaurant, along with marble, original wood panelling and intricate stone work – a designer dream. If you’re keen to hold an event here, there are private dining options for groups of 10 and up to 18, or you have the option of booking the entire floor for larger groups.
Our friendly waiter brought us a chilled glass of Sauvignon blanc whilst we studied the list of dishes on offer. There are some exceptional offerings for the winter months including festive menus that are a complete steal – £12.95 for a set lunch and £19.95 for a set dinner up to 24 December. Head Chef Shoeb Haider has certainly come up with some interesting options, including the new game menu and Diwali menus.
We had been invited to try Zaika’s Kharana menu, a four course extravaganza which definitely won’t leave you hungry! The chefs were hard at work preparing dishes at the back of the restaurant.
We were brought some crispy poppadums with homemade sauces to start. They were nice and light, just as well as there was a considerable amount of food to come!
Our first course was a beautifully presented trio of appetizers. Channa chaat is a tasty combination of spiced chickpeas, wheat crisps and yoghurt, topped with tamarind chutney.
Aloo spinach tikki is a garlic flavoured potato and spinach cake – I took a bite of this but as I’ve always hated mashed potato, Mr Luxe got the benefit of the rest. Malai tikka was a savoury tandoori cooked chicken supreme, marinated in cream cheese, green chilli and coriander stems. Zaika’s tandoor oven enables the meat to retain all its juices and tenderness.
Next was a striking duo of jhinga shimla mirch and tandoori smoked salmon. I hadn’t tried the former dish before, it’s a grilled tiger prawn, marinated with puréed red pepper and tomato – highly recommended. The tandoori smoked salmon was also a delight, smoked overnight to really bring out the flavour.
The main courses were equally well executed – murgh handi lazeez, or chicken tikka simmered in a browned garlic, tomato, cream and spice sauce was a delight. Zaika have achieved the perfect balance of spiciness. I’m not a fan of very spicy food, but these dishes had just the right level to make them exceptional. Laal maas was a very tender boneless lamb, simmered with whole spices, yoghurt and red chili paste. This was definitely a stand out dish.
Our mains came accompanied with a tasty array of side dishes – one of the things that I love about Indian cuisine. Saag paneer was a healthy spinach dish flavoured with garlic and cumin. Dal makhni, or slow-cooked black lentils, are a speciality of the Northern frontier of India. There was also zaffrani pulao, or saffron infused rice, and a very moreish truffle naan bread. I normally don’t eat lots of bread but this was hard to resist.
We finished our feast with a wonderful dark chocolate and cashew nut brownie. Chocolate is always the way to my heart ;-).
Served with a dark chocolate glaze and mango kulfi, this was a great way to finish in style. By the way, although there are nuts in this dish, Zaika can accommodate any food allergies and intolerances as long as you make them aware before ordering.
We accompanied the brownie with a sweet dessert wine that definitely made us forget the cold, grey day outside! Zaika have an extensive wine list, with very reasonably priced house wines so there’s something for every budget.
Special thanks go to our friendly waiters who were attentive yet never obtrusive.
We’d highly recommend Zaika for delicious, healthy Indian cuisine in stunning surroundings. Have you tried Northern Indian cuisine?
Zaika of Kensington, 1 Kensington High Street, London W8 5NP
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Sounds perfectly delicious – I’ll keep it in mind for when I’m next in that part of town.
I’m definitely returning for a festive lunch! One of the best bargains in town
I’m a real sucker for good naan bread!
I’d never had truffle naan bread – loved it!
Wow I’m very impress about the price because If I was looking from the outside without knowing the price I would think is very expensive love the interior, and the fact that their first restaurant in Mayfair had the first michelin in the world makes so special, will try it out when I’m over to London , love all the tips you give in your blog as I’m a London lover <3
Thanks for sharing,
Love,
Virgit
It’s interesting because the a la carte is quite top end but the set menus are a real bargain. I’m very glad that you like the tips, Virgit! Have a great festive break
This is absolutely a great experience.
I have tried Indian resto before and i may say im quite impresses=d.
Have you tried their dessert?
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Yes I have tried Indian desserts but I was delighted to have a good old brownie this time 😉
This looks outstanding! The salmon and the naan sound lovely. I definitely will look for this in London some day. Excellent post!
Http://Leftbankgirl.blogspot.com
The salmon was a real treat, feeling hungry remembering it!
Oh my goodness the photos look so amazing! and TRUFFLE NAAN BREAD??? NEED. Am also always so disappointed by Indian dessert menus but a cashew and chocolate brownie? yes please! Lots of love, Andrea xxx
Andrea’s Passions
It was a relief to have a chocolatey dessert, I agree that some Indian dessert menus can be a bit disappointing
I’m a huge fan of Indian food so I’m super jealous of your meal!! And that truffle naan looks amazing!
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Truffle and naan bread is such a great combination!
Looks like an exceptional Indian restaurant, what a great find!
And I forgot to say, a great location too on Kensington High Street
They certainly did a great job on the presentation and taste too
The venue and the food look great! Indian dishes are delicious.
www.elabellaworld.com
The decor complemented the food really well!
These photos remind me that I haven’t had Indian for a long time and that it’s time to have some very soon! These images will stick in my mind all day long…
www.LUXESSED.com
I find Indian food very warming in the colder weather, must be the spices!
Amazing shooing!
Have a nice evening!
Angela Donava
http://www.lookbooks.fr/
Oh my goodness this looks amazing!!! Such a huge fan of Indian food! I recently visited a new spot here in NYC, which actually caters to the Indian cuisine of folks that don’t eat root vegetables–very interesting menu and everything tasted very flavorful!
That definitely sounds like an interesting restaurant, looking forward to reading all about it
What on earth is truffle naan bread? I feel like I need it in my life. Gah. Bread.
Corinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com
Ha ha, it was a revelation!
Looks sooo good!
Indian food is my absolute favourite so I’m so happy to hear about this, and you’re so right… the interiors are definitely as beautiful looking as the food!
Elle
www.theellenextdoor.com
xx
I can see why you like Indian food so much, Elle!
Tamarind is one of my favourite Indian restaurants! Didn’t know Zaika is their sister restaurant – it looks incredible, must put it on my list for as soon as I’m back in the new year – not least for the truffle naan! xxx
I’ve been to Tamarind but quite a few years ago, am definitely overdue a return visit!
This has passed me by but sounds wonderful. So often you can’t get all three, great food, atmosphere and service. Tandoori salmon has to be a favourite Lucy x
The dishes look deliciously tempting and I love that the spiciness is light and fragrant without being overpowering. Definitely a restaurant I’d make an effort to visit if I were in the area.
I have not yet tried them but I am thinking of trying it now because of your post 🙂
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XOXO Alyssa
Looks like you had a great meal. I’ve always been curious about that restaurant, so I will have to give it a try soon!
Love the food and the surroundings look lovely as well
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Beautiful photographs! Really tasty looking dishes.
Laura xo
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