We recently visited Gymkhana, near Piccadilly Circus, again for a post-honeymoon pre-restarting work lunch. Gymkhana, an Indian Michelin star restaurant, is inspired by colonial Indian gymkhana clubs (where high society socialised, dinned and drank). They have a bar and dining room which offer an a la carte menu, vault menu (which I assume is for private dining in one of their separate rooms), a tasting menu, game menu, Saturday lunch menu, and weekday lunch and early evening menu (yes the list has finally ended). We went for the later, ordering two courses for £25. For starters we shared the soft shell crab and kid goat methi keema (a sort of mince meat wrap), and for the mains tandoori guinea fowl and Hariyali bream. Still being on our holidays, we accompanied this with the house punch (£9) and a 375ml bottle of the sommelier’s choice of red wine.
This has to be one of the best Indian restaurants we have eaten in, which is a high accolade given that it is one of mine and my husbands favorite cuisines. In fact, I think it tops Benares, another Michelin star Indian restaurant near by. For us, Benares was slightly too fusion, while Gymkhana offers traditional dishes with a twist. We particularly enjoyed the keema wrap (so much that I was reluctant to share and tried to sneak 2/3rds off the plate). Their tandoori guinea fowl was to die for, and I think the tandoori section of the main menu would be our go to next time. The punch was a nice addition, with self-grated nut meg provided to grate on top. This really did bring out the flavours. However, it lacked booze and tasted more like a mock tail. Again, I was unable to fit in dessert at lunch, partially as we consumed the complementary poppadoms (with mango chutney and a spicy dip) and side dishes of rice, naan and chapati type bread.
The restaurant is quite small and I would recommend booking even for lunch times (I think many local businesses were using it for lunch meetings). The staff were friendly and very helpful, even accommodating two colleagues (a guess from their overly expensive suites) who had made a booking for the wrong day.
This has to be one of the best Indian restaurants we have eaten in, which is a high accolade given that it is one of mine and my husbands favorite cuisines. In fact, I think it tops Benares, another Michelin star Indian restaurant near by. For us, Benares was slightly too fusion, while Gymkhana offers traditional dishes with a twist. We particularly enjoyed the keema wrap (so much that I was reluctant to share and tried to sneak 2/3rds off the plate). Their tandoori guinea fowl was to die for, and I think the tandoori section of the main menu would be our go to next time. The punch was a nice addition, with self-grated nut meg provided to grate on top. This really did bring out the flavours. However, it lacked booze and tasted more like a mock tail. Again, I was unable to fit in dessert at lunch, partially as we consumed the complementary poppadoms (with mango chutney and a spicy dip) and side dishes of rice, naan and chapati type bread.
The restaurant is quite small and I would recommend booking even for lunch times (I think many local businesses were using it for lunch meetings). The staff were friendly and very helpful, even accommodating two colleagues (a guess from their overly expensive suites) who had made a booking for the wrong day.
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