With the likes of Junoon, Indego and La Porte des Indes all vying for that Indian ‘concept cuisine’ top spot in the city, it’s fair’s to say that a restaurant of the same style and substance needs a little edge to raise itself above the lofty parapet.
Mint Leaf of London (yep, yet another success story from the UK capital setting up shop here, notice a trend?) sets about doing this with a trendy, lounge vibe – with the crescent shaped space peppered with henna inspired artwork, hanging cage seating and circular counter bar, enclosed by and floor-to – ceiling windows. While it might not be re-inventing the wheel from an interior design standpoint, the look and feel – underpinned by a prime downtown spot on the 15th floor of the Emirates Financial Towers – makes it a slick execution, all the same.
The starter options (of the non-vegetarian variety) are a refreshing 50/50 split between fish and meat, the tandoori salmon being the stand-out dish of the first half, followed by the Adraki lamb chops on the second.
This eclectic theme continues in the array of mains courses. And, wherever your meat predilection lies with your Indian food – be it chicken, lamb or seafood – Mint Leaf serves almost up every variance beautifully. There’s even two loin of venison cuts, seared and grilled, should you wish to plumb for something a little more-left field.
But, it’s perhaps the chicken dishes in particular, whether roasted or grilled, marinated in red pepper and chilli or lathered in a range of yoghurts or masala sauce, that remain among the best you’ll sample in the city.
While appropriating the best culinary establishments from the world’s cities could, be considered, a somewhat unoriginal tact, if they all promise the same quality of experience as Mint Leaf of London, keep ‘em coming we say.