Restaurant Review – Moti Mohal

Sick of the usual sandwiches last week, we decided to go for something more exotic for lunch and try Indian restaurant Moti Mahal, in Covent Garden. As we walked in the seductive smell that inhabits all (good) Indian restaurants hit us in the face and left us with an ever greater desire to have our fill.

We were speedily relieved of our coats and taken to a perfectly placed table by the window, where we could watch all the passers-by looking longingly at our food! The layout was curious for an Indian restaurant and had a far more Western feel than most others I have been to, with a crisp white clean and simple ambiance. It was light and airy and we both decided very early on that we wished we could stay all afternoon. But busy bees that we are, an hour was all we could spare.

We were presented with charming leather-bound drinks menus containing a long list of cocktails. Yum! We both decided however, on a rare occasion of rational behaviour (it was lunch after all), to go for the wine – a crisp and appropriate chardonnay. Sadly as we only had an hour we had to somewhat rush through the food, but that didn’t stop us eating our way through a few delicious courses.

Before we ordered our first course we were presented with a peculiar plate of salad – with crushed herbs and spices on the side. A little odd, but we thought it was a great feature, certainly original. We were not quite sure how to approach it, being given a small spoon and one knife as tools, but digging into a tomato certainly helped us to cool down after the hot food throughout.

After this we were presented with skewered meats coated in spices which had a distinctively subtle flavour to them without blowing your head off. Next up was the fish cake wrapped in a banana leaf – which we were luckily told was inedible, otherwise this could have proved somewhat embarrassing! The fish cake was surprisingly hotter than the meats, the salad certainly coming in handy at this point. Perfectly cooked though and full of rich and fruitful flavours.

For the main course we had a fairly traditional lamb curry, sag aloo, butter chicken curry, pilau rice and a selection of naans. It was the perfect lunch food to share, and the only downside came with our need, not desire, to depart.

The food, it must be said, is fairly pricey compared to a standard lunch option – but I would recommend the taster menu to anyone looking for a relaxed calm atmosphere with tasty food and lovely wine. However, if you are heading in for lunch, although they were easily able to get us in and out in an hour, take a half day so you can fully enjoy the experience as it’s really not one to miss!

Thinking of places to take a special one on a date? Think here!

For more info visit the website here.

Review by Debbie Attwood and Rick O’Donnell

We would like to hear from YOU about your top venues in London. Please take one moment to complete a couple of quick questions here. Thanks x

Enjoy this post? Why not click and SUBSCRIBE to TLLWTL now?!

JJ - Editor

Londoner. Excessive Tea Drinker. Foodie. Party Goer. Geek. Email jj@thislittleladywenttolondon.com.

More Posts

Follow Me:

LoveLondon Our Reviews Restaurants/Private Dining Venues Food? Wine? Yummy..., This Little Lady Went to...