Review on Kanishka
Kanishka opened its doors in February 2019, set in the heart of Mayfair the restaurant is a partnership between Atul Kochhar, the first-ever Indian chef to win a Michelin star and Tina English, the former commercial director of Cinnamon Club in Westminster, who will act as managing director of Kanishka Holdings. Named after King Kanishka, an emperor of the Kushan dynasty in the second century, the restaurant is located on Maddox Street in the site that once housed the 28°-50° wine bar. Laid out over two floors, the interiors have been designed by Fabled Studio featuring topiary elephants outside, while inside there's a vivid turquoise colour scheme with white borders, marble table tops and verdant foliage.
Atul emphasises impeccable British produce for a menu that showcases the previously unexplored cuisine of the territories from the seven sisters of India. Located in the far northeast they include Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, the food will also have influences from the neighbouring countries of Nepal, China, and Bangladesh.
The menu works its way through some inviting dishes along the lines of Naga scallops, smoked chilli spiced diver scallops, parsnips achar, puree and papad or from the land venison kachela maas, Sikkim inspired venison tartare, quail egg and butter naan. When it comes to main courses you might be tempted by sagolir manxo, a classic and contemporary country goat curry, cumin and black pepper goat chop and curry or from the sea banana leaf steamed seabass,
sorrel chutney marinated wild seabass, pineapple and shrimp kutchumber. As a finale consider peanut butter chikki parfait, silky peanut butter pave, salted caramel chikki, caramelised banana and 24 carat gold leaf or tandoori fruit custard, pistachio bhoora, tandoor roasted seasonal fruits, kashmiri zaffron custard and pista crumb.
To accompany the food there's an extensive global wine list, a great selection of Indian whiskies and cocktails like Milkman's Son, Black Cow vodka, cream, rose and pistachio.
Cuisine
Indian
Chef
Atul Kochhar
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 3.00pm Mon-Sat
Dinner: 5.30 - 10.30pm (5.30 - 9.15pm Sun)
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card, American Express