At Chatora City, a celebrated Indian restaurant near Bank station in central London, a surprise avocado sphere sample intended for a Christmas menu became the highlight of the meal, according to a review by Jess Phillips.
A Modern Twist on Tradition
Founded by Jam Rahman, Chatora City has been branded one of the “best things to do in London” by Hello! and named Best Indian Restaurant in London by Olive Magazine. Executive chef Imamuddin Khan is known for modern twists on traditional dishes, and the chic decor and gentle lighting set the tone for an elevated dining experience.
Chatora is not just a restaurant but also a wine bar, boasting a selection of more than 130 “carefully curated” wines. The menu is extensive, with standout dishes marked as Jam’s Picks, recommended by the founder.
Starters and Surprises
Before ordering, the diners were brought an avocado sphere – a falafel-like breadcrumbed ball with avocado and spices in a sensational spiced sauce. The waitress explained it was a test dish for the new Christmas menu and not officially available yet, but it was one of the highlights of the meal.
The assorted papad and crisps, which replace the traditional poppadom plate, included paprika-sprinkled rice cakes and other crispy snacks, with the rice cakes perfect with chunky mango chutney.
For starters, the pair shared a Jam’s Pick of Sexy Chicken – Southern-style chicken with pachadi and milagai crust – and Tellicherry Crab, a soft-shell crab with Mangalorean spices and smoked pepper gel. The crab was difficult to eat but incredibly soft, while the chicken had a spicy kick.
Mains and Dessert
For mains, they chose a claypot lamb biryani with a dum – a soft, flaky pastry lid that enhances the flavours. The pastry itself was incredible, especially dipped in the butter chicken curry sauce, which was served Old Delhi style with Camone tomato and fenugreek sauce and a cashew crumble.
Dessert included a seasonal sorbet selection and gulab jamun – khoya balls soaked in cardamom syrup with vanilla ice cream and hazelnut chikki. The gulab jamun tasted like the best kind of fairground doughnut with a syrupy glaze.
Overall, Chatora City impressed as a meld of traditional and modern cooking, with a welcoming atmosphere that the reviewer would return to for a fancy night out.
