Restaurants

Imagine a sports bar with a penchant for all things Bollywood. Blue Ginger may not look like much from the outside, but it certainly taps into the tastes of well-to-do British Asians. Flat-screen TVs, low-slung sofas, and a glossy black granite bar draw the cool crowd, while a dining area is geared towards extended family feasting at weekends. The menu embraces Indo-oriental cookery: North Indian kebabs, Punjabified sichuan chicken with extra chilli hits, and even South Indian idlis (rice cakes) doused in black bean sauce. Our last visit wasnt Blue Gingers finest hour. Well-meaning but chaotic service, confused orders and noisy families didnt impress. When the food finally arrived, we received salty gram-flour fritters and oily chicken curry; the meal was partially redeemed by battered chunks of tilapia fish flavoured with carom seeds, pounded peppercorns, and pleasantly astringent ginger. Best bet is to order a chilled beer, an assortment of tandoori kebabs, and the soy and chilli-speckled sichuan chicken bites. Drop by on weekend evenings, after the boisterous families have left.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008