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Shilpa

206 King Street, W6 0RA Full details & map

Restaurant

Time Out says 3 Users say 3/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: 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.

Tags: West, Hammersmith, Mid-range, Restaurant

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Shilpa details

Address

Shilpa

206 King Street W6 0RA

Transport Hammersmith tube

Telephone

020 8741 3127

Shilpa website

Lunch served noon-3pm daily. Dinner served 6-11pm Mon-Wed, Sun; 6pm-midnight Thur-Sat.

Main courses £2.95-£10.50. Set lunch £4.99 vegetarian, £5.99 (non-vegetarian).

Credit cards MC, V

Facilities

Babies and children admitted, Booking advisable, Takeaway service; delivery service ( over £15 within 3-mile radius ), Vegetarian menu

Shilpa map

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Comments & ratings 3/5 (Average of 3 ratings)

By Foodie - Apr 7 2012

I was hoping this would remain a secret destination for good Kerala cuisine. It seems you guys have blown the cover and now quite often I don't find a table at my favourite haunt.

Mr.Kumaran,
You ordered everything north Indian and didn't take advantage of the kitchen's expertise in Kerala cuisine. It's like going to an Italian restaurant and saying their Swedish meatballs weren't up to the mark.

India is a big country. Know what region cuisine you're ordering and where.

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By Ilaria - Mar 31 2012

Amazing!!!! This place brings you back to Kerala! The best Indian in London for sure!

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By London 2012 - Mar 9 2012

5/5

We just finished dinner there this evening and we have to say, by far the best Indian In the city! This establishment beats any brick lane inhabitant with individual flavours in each dish that makes them utterly delicious. We will certainly be back!

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By Kumaran - Jan 6 2012

We chose to have dinner at Shilpa after reading the good comments. There were four of us. The service and reception were appalling. The food was very bad. We had jelfrezzie chicken, chicken tiikka, lamb tikka, okra and spinach. Food was old and cold. No marination. We would not recommend it to our worst enemy. Being Indians we were disappointed and beg Shilpa not to serve the innocent British public this rubbish food

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By Willy Eckerslyke - Dec 19 2011

5/5

We chose Shilpa after reading reviews and can wholeheartedly recommend the place. Roast sea bass dish was superb, bursting with flavour. Jalfrezi also went down very well. One of our party who used to frequent the Manchester's "curry mile" reckoned this was the best Indian meal he'd ever tasted!

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By Josue Dooboory - Sep 8 2010

This is one of the best Indian Restaurant in London. And when I talk about Indian food, I know what I talk about. The staff is polite, the food is very good and inexpensive..