The Blurb
A chic hideaway in the lower level of a townhouse just off Sloane Square, Kahani is a modern and elegant restaurant serving sophisticated Indian dishes. Chef Peter Joseph is at the helm and pulls influence from Chennai, India, where he grew up, as well as from his experience in British kitchens.
The Style
What a gorgeous little hideaway. The vibe is grown-up, but not stuffy. Royal blue velvet seats cocoon you, a faux fire adds a sense of warmth, and stylish overhead lighting features infuse a glow of modernity. There’s also a very chic private dining area that I managed to get a peek at, and there’s a little bar area with a few two-top bar tables too.
The Crowd
On a rainy Thursday evening, Kahani was packed with well-dressed locals, pairs of friends, and couples. The location is discreet, on a side street and tucked within the lower level of a townhouse, so it felt like a place for those “in the know,” and it had a neighbourhood air without being too casual. It seems like the kind of place that you could go for an occasion (i.e. a birthday) but also does well as a last-minute weeknight option.
The Food
In a word: delicious! There’s a gorgeous new selection of dishes, though Kahani seems like the kind of place where it’s hard to choose wrong. Standout dishes include a Jhinga Kalimirch (tiger prawns perfectly cooked in a rich, thick sauce of tomatoes, curry leaf, and black peppercorns); the Kalonji baingan (fat chucks of seasonal aubergine, packing a punch of heat); and a fragrant Hydrabadi Biryani, fragrant with spices and saffron, and available with lamb, chicken, or prawn. The trio of chicken tikka makes for a hearty starter and the raspberry cardamon cheesecake is a delight as a dessert: sweet but perfectly portioned, so it’s not cloying. Overall there is a lightness to the food: textures are rich, but individual flavours shine through. The service is faultless, even on a busy night. Wine and water never went below the halfway point.
The Drink
While I skipped the cocktails, there was a steady stream of them flowing from the bar, which is a lovely spot for a pre-dinner drink. The wine list is good, though pricey (the vast majority of the bottle are over £40). With lush tannins and spicy aromas, the Chilean Carmenère did well alongside the flavour-packed dishes.
In a Nutshell
An elegant Indian affair of pitch-perfect dishes in a sumptuous townhouse setting.
The Details
1 Wilbraham Pl, SW1X 9AE
02077307634
