Anokha Restaurant

Simply occupying a prime location is not enough to guarantee success as a restaurant needs to have that elusive combination of interesting quality food and atmosphere at the right price to match. Fortunately, that applies in the case of Anokha, the Indian in Fenchurch Buildings.

Devoid of the stereotyped look that flourishes in most curry houses, the décor there has earthy tones, low seductive lighting and plush leather seating, so the contemporary feel makes the ambience more inviting.

Indian food sometimes has an image of being slightly unhealthy and greasy, but the reality of Anohka's banishes such thoughts, as only the freshest ingredients and lightest quantity of cooking oil are used. Test that with one of their signature starters, chicken nazakat, made of chicken supreme marinated in mixed herbs and spices and grilled in the tandoori oven or the refreshingly different king prawn suka, prawns prepared in a rich, tangy tamarind sauce.  

For the main course, don't miss out on the seafood melange, a traditional recipe from the South, with coconut cream, or the gulap chilli ghost, barbequed cubes of lamb doused in a sauce of garlic, chillies and coriander. Look for the flavoursome union of sweet and sour with the mali duck, breast meat cooked with mango puree, yoghurt and tamarind, then finished off with garlic and ginger.

Vegetarians have ample reason to be satisfied by the sag bhajee, a curry of spinach, garlic and mixed spices, or the korahi paneer, creamy cheese cubes with mixed peppers and onions that are sure gastronomic delights.

Traditional Indian cooking is represented faithfully by old favourites such as tikka masala, and the various jalfrezies, kormas, dupiazas, dansaks and vindaloos.

The bar has a decidedly retro feel to it, with influences borrowed from the Bauhaus movement as well as the swinging sixties and seventies. The result is an amalgamation that stands out remarkably as a chic kind of place to unwind and relax in. Indulge yourself with champagne or just try one of the wines on offer, you will find that the carefully selected list has a wide choice on it.

Anokha means unique and the food, décor and ambience combine pleasantly to give you an experience that is indeed different. Their eye catching Website gives more information about reservations and special offers, along with the menus.