One thing that really entertains me when I talk to people about restaurants is when someone says “they don’t do chains”. What they forget is that while yes, some are rather ordinary and predictable, what they don’t recall is that all of these brands started with just one flagship site. I did eat in a certain somewhere just recently with 11 sites across the UK and there was no love in the food or the service at all, but Masala Zone is nothing like any chain I have ever eaten in. It’s impeccable, service is always immaculate and they’ve just had a shiny new refurb.
Arguably the best thing about Masala Zone (apart from its food) is the staff and chefs. They’re always so inviting, have an obvious care and love for what they do and they even remember faces. I last dined at their Soho branch almost two years ago, but familiar faces still remembered me. This newly renovated dining space is decorated with a vibrant display of Rajasthani puppets which blends into an opulent backdrop of old wooden temple doors. It’s utterly gorgeous and feels like a standalone destination restaurant. Plus it’s all incredibly affordable.
Kicking off our lunch proceedings we started with a couple of cocktails. A refreshingly delicious almond & rose sour was packed with smooth flavours of rose-water and cardamom bitters. Better still was my chai negroni. Sweet, bitter and rather delicious.
Whilst the menu here at Masala Zone is split into starters and main courses, all of the food is actually great for sharing. The contemporary twist on traditional Indian dishes makes for a menu perfect to explore until you can’t eat anymore and thee best way to start is with the masala papad topped with Indian salad & fresh coconut. It went down a treat.
Not to mention the signature Chicken 65 which is doused in ginger & red chilli, plus a very good helping of Delhi samosa chaat. Excellent smashed samosas, drizzled in yoghurt and a sweet chutney. Some of my favourite dishes here at Masala Zone.
One of the newest dishes to the menu were these lamb sliders served in pao buns. Quite honestly they were one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever eaten at Masala Zone. Rich, juicy, spicy. A must order when dining here and an absolute bargain priced at just £5!
Portion wise Masala Zone is always very generous and so one thing you wont do is ever leave here hungry. They’re also experts when it comes to grilled meats and so having tried their lamb chops once before, we couldn’t resist once again. These lahori lamb chops had been smothered in a Punjabi marinade and served with some yoghurt and a garnish of pickles. Just as good as we’d remembered them, if not better.
Another main course we enjoyed was the Alleppey prawn curry. A dish originating from Kerala which was full of turmeric, cinnamon and coconut. A lovely flavoured dish, but unfortunately the prawns were a bit too watery and bland. Perhaps if they’d grilled the prawns first it would have given them a little more structure and depth.
The sides were pretty good too. Fluffy white rice, golden crispy naan bread and a very satisfying bowl of baby spinach laced with garlic. I know this dish as lasooni palak and it’s always one of the most satisfying dishes to come out of Indian cooking and it didn’t disappoint here.
We finished up our lunch with a falooda plate dessert and a Dark Raj Bitter cocktail, the latter similar to an espresso martini but laced with cardamom and orgeat syrup. Both were a very lovely way to end our long boozy lunch.
We had such a lovely afternoon at Masala Zone in Covent Garden and I highly recommend to anyone looking for authentic modern Indian food – all at very affordable prices. The staff are always so lovely, the cocktails are excellent and location wise it’s right in the heart of just about everything. Masala Zone – we’ll most certainly be seeing you again soon!
NB: Our meal was complimentary. All views are as always, my own. My views are not influenced by anyone other than my own palate and slightly poor eyesight.
The interiors looks really nice. All of food sounds fantastic and just what I would pick!
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they’ve done a great job on the refurb!