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Tamarind

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20 Queen Street, W1J 5PR Full details & map

Restaurant: Indian

Time Out says Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Oct 20 2011

Popular with business groups and wealthy tourists, this smart, spacious basement venue is furnished in subdued, earthy colours, offset by crisp white napery and speckled mirrors. Cooking is traditional rather than flamboyant, with a focus on North Indian spice blends, tandoori kebabs and grilled meats.

A first course of shaped, skewered lamb mince, grilled over coals, was memorable for its toasted cumin and ginger spicing, and hits of chilli and crunchy red onion. We were also impressed with the chaat: crunchy pastry discs, topped with sweet yoghurt, tamarind chutney, chickpeas, blueberries and mint relish.

Main courses, however, were merely average. Chicken chunks in a tomato and red pepper sauce lacked the hoped-for astringency of pounded coriander seeds and cracked peppercorns, while the yellow dal was extremely bland - more suited to invalid food than fine dining. Things picked up with a vegetarian main course of soft paneer cubes and peppers tossed in a creamy tomato sauce, but we couldn't detect any nuttiness from the promised melon-seed spicing.

Service was spot-on and professional, which helps compensate for the uneven cooking. We've had better meals in the past at this long-established and acclaimed restaurant.

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Tags: Asian, Indian, Central, Mayfair, Luxury, Restaurant

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Special offers

2 for 1: sunday family lunch

...from a £32 set menu . Includes Vat, excludes service and drinks.
Offer available Sunday 12:00-14:45
Offer covers Min 1, Max 6 people
Offer valid until Feb 16 2012

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Regal Feast Menu: 4 courses with matching wine: £90

...from a set menu, with tea and coffee and petit fours. Includes Vat, excludes service.
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Offer valid until Feb 16 2012

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Lunch: 2 courses £18.50

...from a set menu (3 for £21.50). Includes Vat, excludes service.
Offer available Monday to Friday 12:00-14:45
Offer covers Min 1, Max 6 people
Offer valid until Feb 16 2012

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Pre/post theatre: 3 courses £28.50

...from a set menu ( Includes Vat, excludes service).
Offer available Monday to Saturday 17:30-18:45 and 22:00-22:45
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Tamarind details

Address

Tamarind

20 Queen Street W1J 5PR

Transport Green Park tube

Telephone

020 7629 3561

Tamarind website

Lunch served noon-2.45pm Mon-Fri, Sun. Dinner served 5.30-11pm Mon-Sat; 6-10.45pm Sun

Main courses £17.95-£24.50. Set lunch (Mon-Fri) £17.50 2 courses, £19.50 3 courses, £28 tasting menu. Set dinner (5.30-6.45pm, 10.30-11pm) £27.50 3 courses

Credit cards AmEx, DC, MC, V

Facilities

Babies and children welcome ( children's menu; high chairs ), Booking essential, Takeaway service, Vegan dishes, Vegetarian menu