If unique flavours and plush surroundings take your fancy then pop down to Le Raj Indian restaurant for a high-end twist on your traditional curry.
The award-winning restaurant, owned by Enam Ali MBE, located in the heart of Epsom Downs in Fir Tree Road, is perfect for a relaxed, but formal, intimate, but sociable evening meal or lunch.
Taking inspiration from French cuisine, Ali’s aim is to elevate a Brick Lane curry to an elegant, healthy and natural meal, bereft of colouring and additives, which will leave you feeling "energetic" for hours.
As the self-styled pioneer of ‘British Curry’, Ali has developed a classy dining experience at Le Raj - with engraved cutlery, the smell of incense and dimmed lighting.
Entering the main reception area - the dining tables are hidden deeper within the restaurant - photos of celebrities including Chris Tarrant, Eamonn Holmes and Shane Richie adorn the walls.
The beautifully-presented food will appeal to particular tastes.
Unique flavour combinations include the chuto chingri - tiger prawns marinated with beetroot, spices, honey and lime, and tulsi kebab - tandoor-grilled minced lamb layered with chicken and roasted herbs with a mustard coulis.
Standard Indian curry mains have also been given a makeover - sometimes a particularly sweet one.
With its tikka masalla, you experience a "Le Raj rebirth of Britain’s most favourite dish" with organic beetroot, tomatoes, almond, coconut and cream used to create a "natural recipe". The chicken is brilliantly cooked, although the sauce may require a little kick of the savoury for some.
The shak aloo, spinach with potatoes, was a nice accompaniment providing some balance to the mains, alongside saffron pilaw rice.
One of Le Raj’s brilliant inventions is its healthy nan bread, acclaimed by food critics as the E-Nan, according to Ali.
It is made using just flour and water and is light and tasty, while providing a thinner texture to the usual, sometimes puffy, nans.
A selection of sorbet ice creams are a refreshing way to wash down any Le Raj main course, providing a bit of zing and freshness to finish off.
Ali says: "I know the flavour combinations and tastes in all my dishes.
"Take me to eat lamb at any Indian restaurant in London and I will be able to tell you whether it was a female or male lamb just from a quick taste.
"I know what British Curry should taste like."
Prices for a main course are between £8-15, while starters and desserts will put you back £4-7.
If you like your curry to be curry, this may not be for you. But if you’re looking for beautiful food, healthy dishes and a sophisticated meal out, head over to Le Raj.
Le Raj; 211 Fir Tree Road, Epsom Downs; open 7 days a week; 12pm to 2.30pm and 6pm to 11pm; call 01737 371371; visit www.http://www.lerajrestaurant.co.uk/
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