Time Out rating:
<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5
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<strong>Rating: </strong>5/5
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Time Out says
Thu Jan 28 2010
Don’t be put-off by the no-frills decor, Shilpa quietly goes about its business of putting speciality Keralite cooking on tables at surprisingly low prices. It’s a functional space; two flatscreen TVs hog most of the attention, while faded touristy posters provide the only other distraction. The kitchen emphasises fish and seafood, although vegetarian and meat options are also executed with precision. An outstanding Keralite fish curry, crammed with chunks of tender kingfish fillets, owed its delicious tartness to an infusion of cocum (fish tamarind), which contrasted with the creaminess of coconut milk. Lamb pepper masala was a surprise success, memorable for tender morsels of boneless lamb, fried in a pounded cashew-nut and onion masala, seasoned with cracked black peppercorns. A crunchy stir-fried thoran of finely diced green beans and carrots, tossed with grated coconut and toasted dried red chillies, provided a lovely foil to the richness of the curries. Only the sweet mango pachadi – a whipped yoghurt and coconut curry simmered with mangoes, mustard seeds and curry leaves – was marred by cloyingly sweet fruit. Service is on the ball and friendly. Hammersmith has a tropical gem in its midst.
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