I can still recall all those years ago when I first started writing about food. Indian cuisine was the thing that really got me interested in food and I’m incredibly thankful for it today. I’m not talking about the British curry house kind (although I admittedly still love that style) but instead of the more traditional kind. Such an intensity of colour and flavours helped me discover more new and interesting flavours, textures and spices I’d have never otherwise heard of. Indian cooking for me is still very exciting and ever evolving – it’s a big part of the British culture.
Gaylord restaurant opened in 1966 and is said to be one of the oldest Indian restaurants in London (although I know a couple of older ones around the centre of town). This family restaurant is owned by the Kwality Group who operate other restaurant outlets in Delhi and Mumbai. For a restaurant to still be standing strong and proud within London’s current foodie scene for over 45 years, is rather impressive. The restaurant was rather quiet when we arrived, but by the time we finished up it was packed. To settle us we ordered an espresso martin, which I think was simply a glass of Baileys – I wouldn’t recommend it (unless you like the creamy liquor). The restaurants fruity take on a non-alcoholic mojito cocktail however is a must order, especially with summer arriving.
I’m not entirely sure what happened on my visit to Gaylord, but my camera decided it wasn’t up to low lighting and instead produced a bunch of very ordinary photos – apologies. The food however was not ordinary and mostly, all very delicious. Gaylord excel’s with their starters and in some cases are outstanding. Golgappa shots are a popular Indian street food snack if you’ve not already heard of them. Little puffed savouries come with shot glasses filled with a coriander and chicken pea aromatic water and a sweet date and jaggery sauce. The idea is to pour the mixture in to the puffed savouries and eat the whole thing – very quickly. It makes for a rather delicious, but slightly messy dish. Pulled chicken tacos were not very Indian, but very delicious. Presentation wise I loved it and I’d imagine so would WeWantPlates. The tacos were filled with lovely moist chicken and paired beautifully with some refined spices and creamy sauces – this is comfort food on a whole other level.
I’m a big fan of soft shell crab and couldn’t help divulging in this Goan soft shell crab offering, coated in a light Goan masala sauce and deep-fried in a golden batter. The meat of the soft shell crab can sometimes be lacking elsewhere, but here it wouldn’t stop giving and was full of flavour. The golden batter was perhaps a little too golden but the fine dipping sauce meant it mostly went unnoticed. One of my favourite dishes here at Gaylord was the saffron stained king prawns cooked over a hot iron griddle. Perfectly cooked, flavoured to perfection and smothered in a thick creamy paste which had the full saffron experience. Another must order dish here was the lamb shammi kebab. A beautiful patty of finely ground lamb and spices, served alongside some mint sauce. A lovely dish and one I’d imagine is the signature of Gaylord’s cooking because it really was faultless.
When it comes to choosing between dry meats or dishes with a sauce here – Gaylord are experts at utilising the grill and keep the meats juicy and not an ounce overcooked. Before coming to this restaurant I was told I must order the butter chicken. If you’re a fan of this British favourite you may not recognise it here. A traditional butter chicken is nothing like what you’d get from the local curry house but instead a dark and rich dish made with tomatoes, endless array of spices and covered in lots of ghee – there’s even a pot of it lurking over the dish here – for added gluttony factor. An excellent dish, but I’ve had better butter chicken in my life elsewhere. Naans were legendary, so make sure you order lots.
By this point during the evening we were ready for bed. After we lost count of how many courses we’d consumed and glasses of wine we sipped away – we only just had room for desserts. Here at Gaylord the desserts were very traditional and we managed to get through two of our favourites. The gajar halwa was the star – warm grated carrot with spices and sugar. Gulab jamon was another classic and is made mostly out of thickened or reduced milk, swimming in a teeth shattering sweet syrup and set of on fire for a little theatrics.
Gaylord is a fine Indian restaurant and one which I’d highly recommend. Not only is the restaurant serving up modern takes on classics, but it still retains authentic Indian dishes – plus those British favourites which you sometimes just can’t live without. Prices are perhaps this restaurants downfall – matching top London restaurants, but there is some excellent set-menus to choose from. If you visit Gaylord then take yourself on a journey through the street food and the expertly grilled meats and seafood – it’s a guaranteed perfect meal out.
7/10
I was invited to review
