Still wondering what to do on New Years Eve? If so, have I got a suggestion for you! For my money, Tamarind of London is the place to be for the last – and most likely the best – meal you’ll eat in 2014.
If you’ve never been fortunate enough to dine there, this is your chance to experience the best Indian food you’ve ever tasted. Best of all, they’re offering a special New Year’s Eve three course dining menu at the very reasonable cost of $72 a person.
For those of you who haven’t already run out to make your reservation, let me tell you about my experience. Prior to visiting Tamarind, I’d never had Indian food. Let me tell you, this was a dining experience like no other. The atmosphere was modern and romantic, the wait staff was knowledgeable and attentive without being overbearing and the food was magnificent.
It’s funny because I was going to say that this was the best kept secret in Newport Beach but after I spoke with a few different people about how great the food was, they all said that they had been there before and would gladly go again. See? It’s not just the blogging community that they treat well!
While I am a burgeoning foodie, I’m still a neophyte when it comes to selecting wines, fortunately for me (and those like me) every member of the wait staff has taken an introductory Sommelier class and is more than capable of helping to pair the perfect wine with your meal – and what a meal mine was!
Our server Frankie was the perfect guide having worked in Indian restaurants since 2008 and being more than willing to share his vast knowledge of the cuisine. His deep regard for Chef Ali was apparent as he spoke in reverential tones about the food prepared by the kitchen. After our meal, it was easy to see why he held Chef Ali in such high esteem – and why he was so proud to work with him.
First Course
(Choose 1)
Tamarind Platter
malai chicken -garlic shrimp-spinach kebab-grilled organic quinoa
Or
spinach kebab-aloo tikki -potato croquet grilled organic quinoa
The shrimp was so succulent, it tasted like it had just been plucked from the ocean and barbecued over a fire on the beach before being drizzled in garlic sauce. The nutty flavor of the quinoa was perfect for cleansing the palate between appetizers, all of which were exceptional. The Spinach kebob had a slightly crispy exterior that yielded to a soft creamy and slightly spicy center. The intense berry and slightly minty taste of the 2010 Graham Beck The Game Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon that our server Frankie recommended was ideal – and not just for the first course but for every one of the courses. His training paid off as the full bodied wine paired perfectly with the curry.
. My mouth never experienced such divine tastes. My soul was happy.
Second Course
(Choose 1)
Butter Paneer;
Indian cottage cheese, buttery-tomato sauce
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but like everything else it was delicious. The Indian cottage cheese looked like tofu but tasted like heaven, and the rich tomato sauce was not only perfect for the cottage cheese, but also for using as a dipping sauce for the naan after we’d greedily devoured the cheese. Oh my goodness, I could go on about the crispy, smoky flavor of the naan for days.
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| The Indian Cottage Cheese is pictured to the right |
Or
Spiced Chicken Vindaloo
Chicken chunks-baby potato-spiced gravy
Tender pieces of chicken bathed in rich gravy with a slightly spicy bite at the end that makes you want to dive for the next piece the moment you swallow the one you’re eating.
Or
Tandoori Bihari Steak
tri tip cut-brown onion-garlic finer puree-mustard infused oil-cranberry chutney
The steak was cooked to perfection and the sweetness of the cranberry chutney perfectly offset the succulent, tender beef.
Or
Kashmiri Rogan Josh
Australian lamb, classic lamb curry-kashmiri chili pepper
The lamb was delicious, tender and yielding, nearly melting in my mouth. I’d been concerned about the chili pepper, but like every other course the dish was spiced perfectly (though they will make any dish spicier upon request)
Or
Salmon Johl
Poppy seed crusted Atlantic salmon, Moilee curry, pickled onions service with spinach rice, naan
Believe me I’ve eaten a lot of salmon in my life and this was certainly a different spin, and my new personal favorite. The curry was mild and creamy and I found myself coating every piece of my poppy seeded salmon through it so that I could devour every drop.
Third Course
Triple Chocolate Torte*
Dark Chocolate mousse, Godiva white chocolate Bavarian cream
Red Curry Ice Cream
* This was not available on the night we visited, so we tried the Molten Chocolate Cake instead, which we paired with a creamy and smooth cappuccino. The cake was rich, moist and absurdly decadent. My tastebuds never had it so good!
My visit to Tamarind of London was certainly something that was outside of my comfort zone, but to say it was a pleasant surprise would be an understatement. This will certainly make the list when I think about the best meals I’ve consumed over the course of the year. It was so amazing that I felt the need to personally shake the Chef’s hand and to thank him
and Frankie for the wonderful experience before walking to my car with a contented smile on my face.
Tamarind of London
7862 East Pacific Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92657
949-715-8338
email: info@tamarindoflondon.com
