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 Paradise: A charming Indian restaurant |
Enjoy a taste of Paradise
PARADISE RESTAURANT
49 South End Green Road
Hampstead NW3
020 7794 6314
WAZEL and his brother run this charming Indian Restaurant opened in 1969 by their father. It has recently been refurbished and they are still waiting to receive some paintings and mirrors from India to complete the décor.
The high ceiling and light beige walls make it spacious. Across, the green trees of Hampstead Heath provide a natural large mural. The front doors fold to give an al fresco effect on hot days. The dainty paintings on the walls were done with henna – they have a permanency to them in contrast with the henna brides paint on their hands at their wedding. Custom has it that they will do no house work whilst the henna decorative paintings last in their hands.
I was meeting friends for a reunion. Some had never been to an Indian restaurant and so it was rewarding for me to have chosen one where the food is superb. As we were six we ordered a banquet as you will soon see and it came to £13 per head for the food.
We had plain and spicy pappadoms with four dips: spicy chutney, mint, mango and sliced onions.
To start the king prawn butterfly was delicious – large enough to cut it in six small pieces for all of us to taste. The lamb sausages (shami kebab), the onion bhaji and meat samosa were tasty and excellently cooked. My favourite, though, was the chicken chaat – marinated chicken strips accurately described in the menu as ‘zesty-spiced’.
To follow we all shared: Lamb dhansak cooked with lentils and tomatoes; king prawn patia in hot and sour curry; chicken kashmiri with lychees and pineapple pieces in a coconut sauce; korai lamb with ginger, green peppers, onions and coriander; fresh spinach (Saag Bhajee); spicy chickpeas (Chana Masala; one Pilau, one white rice and two plain Naan. As usual I ordered their house white wine (£11.95) – a very good French medium-dry burgundy. A small well-balanced wine menu included my favourite Chateauneuf du Pape at £32.90.
The warm gulab jamun with honey and ginger ice cream, the toffee and vanilla ice cream pie and rasmalai, the traditional Indian cured milk dessert, were a nice change to the usual kulfi and other ice creams. Their lunch menu offers Indian pizzas (naan base), snacks, low in fat tandoori and grill dishes and a variety of lassi – the yoghurt Indian drink.
Paradise is indeed a charming place where you will enjoy excellent service and delicious food which is served in attractive copper pots (haandi). They keep the heat and they are easily handled to pass around whilst occupying a small space at the table.
Lovely individual flowers and two large flower arrangements with birds of paradise compliment this immaculate restaurant which seats 60 guests.
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