And just like that, we are back in our beloved hometown and I am JOYFUL!
If you are new here, welcome! My name is Ndidi and I have a thing for taster menu’s with wine pairings! I started writing about our food adventures when the first wave of the pandemic hit as a coping mechanism. Have also been living out in Malta for the last 2.5 years hence the Joy of being back in London ha! Today we took a wander to one of our fav places in London, Carnaby street to have a look-see and what not. It was not a particularly sunny day but it was pleasant enough and to be honest, I could care less, I just basked in the joy of being back in the city 🥰 For lunch we went to Kingly court and I initially thought we were looking for a ramen spot but I was wrong! We were bee-lining for Darjeeling express. Who or what is Darjeeling express? Well, it is where you go to get some truly yummy curry! Finding it at Kingly court was a mission because it closed, and moved out of Kingly court, then moved back into Kingly court but on a different floor 🧐!
Anyway, we rock up to the 3rd floor, without a reservation (as we do ha!), and still got a table even though it was like an hour to end of lunch service, one time for the food gods always coming through for us 😉! And yes, the question is an hour enough time for you to enjoy a curry? Err no.. this is curry okay? that is cooked fresh? You do not rush Asian / oriental food ever! What I love even more about this place, the people who throw it down in the kitchen are WOMEN! Yep, these aunties outchea cooking up mouth watering dishes!
The lunch menu here is a la carte but you know we are not doing that right? we are sampling a few courses because, we have had this restaurant on our list to try for a while so, best believe we are going to be giving it a go! Starting with chicken momos, tangram prawns and chapali kebab. First off, the aroma from the prawns?
Lawwwd! You catch a whiff of the aroma and you know these prawns have been marinating for tiimmmeee and you can’t wait to dig in? yep! these prawns were exactly that! the flavours were flavourful 😋.The chicken momos were essentially steamed dumplings served with sesame sauce that was GIVING!
The kebab was, well, equivalent of kebab burger (without the bun)
it wasn’t not overly spicy that Neal could not dig in, plus I asked for a portion of yogurt because yeah, Neal still doesn’t do spice 🙄, bless him! With our appetites truly whetted, we were ready for our mains. Kosha Mangsho is curry goat on Asian steroids okay?
saying it was delish is an understatement but I am saying it anyway, it was DELISH! As was the Methi Chiken
which was a tomato based sauce with dried fenugeek leaves, which had Neal grinning from ear to ear! Considering how not only satisfying but filling the food was, we almost didn’t order pudding! And in hindsight, it would have been a darn shame because I would have missed out. The pudding here, in particular the Kheer is ELITE! You probably thinking it is something OTT , carved with gold leaves and bells, ha! Kheer is rice pudding, yep, you read right RICE PUDDING! However, let me be clear, this is no ordinary rice pudding! This is spiced rice that has been cooked in milk for 3 hours and cooled!
It was the BUSINESS! It was sweet, creamy, the hint of spice notes on your palate as you enjoyed the cooling sensation, it was BANGING! Honestly fam, even if you don’t want to try the menu, just going to try out the Kheer is a must! it is that GOOD! We brought our meal to a finish with some good ol’ spicy masala tea served in a clay / ceramic cup to keep the temperature just right. Ouu how I have missed the food scene and culture of these London streets! Ahh summer 2023, you looking to be a mighty jolly time and I can’t wait!
Cheers
Ndidi
Oh Ms D, this sounds delish. Was the kheer hot or cold.
The Kheer was cold which made it more refreshing as well!