This week (until Sunday 27th October), JKS Restaurants will be celebrating India’s festival of light, Diwali. Michelin-starred Marylebone restaurant, Trishna and City-based Indian drinking & dining tavern, Brigadiers have both devised mouth-watering menus with drinks to accompany each dish. Since Friday 18th October both restaurant façades have been adorned with Diwali-inspired floral masterpieces, incorporating bold and striking colourful flowers and twinkling lights throughout to create show-stopping displays for passers-by and diners to enjoy before celebrating. Guests, meanwhile, are treated to limited-edition tasting menus as well as a brand-new Johnnie Walker Whisky & Soda Collection. Pair this with candlelit dining, live entertainment and handmade chocolates over the weekend celebrations and it’s the perfect way to celebrate Diwali in London this week!
I was fortunate enough to visit Trishna in the heart of Marylebone and sample the delicacies on their 6-course menus; one being vegetarian and one featuring fish and meat.
The tasting menus offer the very best (and I mean the very best; they don’t have a Michelin star for nothing) of contemporary Indian coastal cuisine including Nandu Varuval soft shell crab, which is strikingly presented and excellent in both texture and flavour. The Tandoori Lamb Chops are quite honestly the best I’ve ever had, such is the power of that marinade and the expertise in cooking. The Kozhikode Chicken Masala is superb, tender meat in a rich authentic sauce that pops to life with coconut, fennel and peppercorns. The Wild Boar Biryani is also fantastic, it’s aromatic and fragrant without being overbearing. The Shahi Salmon Tikka is also wonderful, with cumin, dill leaves, smoked raw papaya and samphire chat all really making an impact.
The equivalent vegetarian 6-course menu will offers a must-try Aloo Chat and Badami Brocolli, which packs a surprising punch. Save some room for dessert because both menus finish with a choice of either Jaggery & Banana Kheer (the winner for me) or indulgent Saffron Poached Pear Cheesecake.
Over the Diwali weekend, Trishna will be offering an intimate candlelit dining experience for guests accompanied by live acoustic music and authentic Diwali dress up. Don’t forget to sample one of the limited edition Johnnie Walker cocktails. I’d particularly recommend the Jal-Jeera for that lovely autumnal spice.
Diwali tasting menu £75.00 p/p
Diwali tasting menu (v) £70.00 p/p
Candle-lit Diwali dinners Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th October
Wine pairings Sommelier wine pairing £75.00 p/p | Prestige wine pairing £105.00 p/p
For more information visit www.trishnalondon.com
