Kanishka By Atul Kochhar

An absolutely amazing find in Mayfair. A lovely restaurant with a wonderful atmosphere - not to small or too large, it creates an ambience which is relaxed and enjoyable. The menu is wonderful - some really lovely and novel indian dishes which will surprise and delight. Every dish on the menu has its own distinct flavours and character. The quality of the ingredients is apparent - for example the meats are of the highest quality and melt in the mouth. There is a wide variety of choice and something for everyone to enjoy. The service was second to none when we visited - not too intrusive, but relaxed and helpful staff only too happy to help and to explain anything about the dishes. We visited for my wife's birthday and they arranged a special desert for us all as a result. Totally unexpected and a lovely surprise. It is not cheap, but if you are booking to come here you know that at the outset. The important thing is whether it is value for money - and I would say it most certainly is good vaue for money. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, and we will definitely return again.

There are no other words to describe this place other than, Wow! Kanishka has become one of my favourite spots to eat out in London; the food, the service and ambience tonight were on point to say the least! Happy Independence Day to all those celebrating! As a British Indian, I've often been critical of cooking that isn't "mum's sabji" - ie. Food that is really nice in its own right, but typical of an Indian Restaurant/Pub and exactly what you'd expect (the run of the mill poppadoms, chutney tray, mixed grill, curry and naan) But Atul Kochhar's cooking hits a different - It really does! Food that is styled and presented as "art on a plate", the dishes are original, and reminiscent of true home cooked food which resonates really well. I don't know how he does it - But bringing forth influences from across India, and Britain, the different styles and spices all come together in a perfect culinary storm. Thank you for an incredible dining experience, Atul. Back soon!

Visiting for the 5 course tasting menu which was a birthday gift. Overall, a really nice visit and quality food but not life changing. I have had better food for cheaper. We were served by Roshan and Deevaj (sorry if I got your names wrong) who gave top quality service to us. Friendly staff and knowledgeable on the dishes being served. Nice quiet atmosphere as we arrived just at opening time for lunch. The tasting menu overall was good. The highlights for us were the chukundur aur feta (beetroot dumpling), signature chicken tikka pie and the Varanasi custard apple rabdi. The actual curries served were acceptable but nothing special. Another comment calls out that they would find it hard to tell apart from a typical British Indian restaurant style curry and I kind of agree. It was good.. but that was it.. nothing mind blowing. Price, as expected is on the higher end. Even with a 5 course voucher we still ended up spending about £70 just on a few extras like a couple of soft drinks, 1 cocktail a roti and a garlic naan. Overall this was a good experience and decent food but you can get better food at a lower price point in my opinion if you're seeking value for money.

Nestled in the vibrant heart of London, Mayfair, Kanishka beckons food lovers on an extraordinary culinary journey through the diverse flavours of India. With a contemporary twist on traditional Indian cuisine, Kanishka has established itself as a gastronomic gem in the city. The menu offers an enticing array of dishes inspired by the rich culinary traditions of the Indian subcontinent, carefully curated to tantalize the taste buds of adventurous eaters. From fragrant biryanis to their signature dishes like their black dal and tangy curries, each dish is a harmonious symphony of flavours, textures, and aromas that transport diners to the bustling streets of India. With its chic yet inviting ambiance, attentive service, and exceptional attention to detail, Kanishka Restaurant provides an unforgettable dining experience where guests can savour the mouth-watering delights of London's Spice Kingdom. I love how everything is switched up and elevated making each dish just that little bit more special. The attention to detail, flavours and presentation is commendable and it all shines through in an exceptional meal. We tucked heartily into the Poppadoms, which were a mixture of crinkled crisp like poppadoms and the thin ones that you usually get. There was a nice hint of spice on the poppadoms, making you reach for those dips without hesitation. Spice and chilli really take centre stage with the food here - not necessarily with heat but with a very well balanced spice journey. Kanishka has several menus - Seasonal Tasting Menu, Traditions Tasting Menu, A la Carte, Set Menu, Vegetarian and Childrens Menu. We were trying out the Set Menu, 3 courses for £40 (lunchtime) or £54 (dinner). I had to order Atul’s Chicken Tikka Pie. This is a speciality and it is exceptional. Firstly, so beautiful to look at, the pie itself is exquisitely put together and then there is the taste. The pastry is flaky and buttery, the filling stuff and filled to the brim with shredded chicken in an elegant spice hug. The other starter was Patrani Machhi - steamed sea bass with peanuts & coconut chutney (n). A delicate delight that tantalizes the taste buds of seafood lovers. Sea bass is a brilliant fish that absorbs delicate flavours easily and the spices used here resulted in a harmonious symphony of tastes upon every bite. The coconut chutney was outstanding. The Mixed Grill provides a great opportunity to taste all the best bits. You’ll find chicken tikka, lamb chop, tiger prawn, bihari seekh kebab and salad. Beautifully presented this is a meat lovers feast. The Pan-fried salmon with banana fritter in mappas curry was equally as delicious. The salmon sat centre in this Mappas curry, a coconut-based curry sauce with distinctive flavour profiles from the generous use of spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper. I wasn’t overly fond of the banana fritter but it definitely has a place on this plate. Peshwari Naan and rice accompanied these main courses. For dessert we ordered the Teen Mithai and the Mango & Ginger Brulee. Both extremely pretty dishes. The Teen Mithai is chocolate mousse, lime fudge, grit and sponge. The chocolate mousse was light and sweet contrasting with the heavy thick sponge. It did have a very unusual texture and we enjoyed the mousse more. The Mango & Ginger Brulee is almonds, vanilla ganache and raspberry gel. Brulee was light and very creamy and subtle flavours of the mango and ginger. Spoonfuls of the brulee with a combination of the brulee and the tart raspberry gel certainly gave off party vibes on the palate. The impeccable service and elegant ambiance further enhance the overall dining experience at Kanishka. London is indeed privileged to have such an exquisite establishment in its vibrant culinary scene, where every visit to Kanishka is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Just one question for Chef Atul Kochhar - when are you opening a restaurant in Edinburgh?