Fine home dining from Flora Indica

BY PALOMA LACY

Restaurants have pulled out all the stops to offer us fine dining experiences from the comfort of our own homes and I for one am grateful.

That ring at the door certainly brightened the most miserable of days in the past year but we’re now less than two weeks away from some sort of normality.

From May 17, dining in at restaurants will once again be permitted.

There’s an irony that this comes as the weather looks set to be good enough for the al fresco dining everyone has been grinning and bearing since December last year.

No more blankets stuffed into my bag to keep out the cold. I look forward to walking into a restaurant, being served, and walking away at the end, leaving someone else to do the dishes.

One of my last fine dining at home experiences was Flora Indica – arguably at the higher end of London’s Indian restaurants.

Located in Old Brompton Road, just off South Kensington, a visit here soon is top of my list.

The restaurant’s name pays homage to the intrepid Scottish botanists who travelled throughout India during Victorian times.

This exploration lead to the discovery of thousands of species of exotic plants, previously unknown to Britain, and lead to a book names Flora Indica, published in 1855.

Little surprise then that décor takes its inspiration from Scottish heritage Harris tweed fabric, Victorian steampunk in zinc, copper and brass and warm rich teak wood with period scientific curiosities decorating walls and shelves.

The grandeur of the surroundings is nicely matched by a menu dedicated to a modern take on classic Indian dishes, using British ingredients where possible.

This is Indian food few will have seen before, with innovative starters such as Achari Tender Broccoli, cherry tomato and sour cream and paneer and spinach bon-bon, with heritage tomato chutney.

Signature dishes include monkifish and king prawn with Bengali malai curry and sautéed zucchini, carrot, toasted coconut, curry leaves, ginger and chilli – such fresh dishes and so many vegetarian options to choose from.

My favourites were the sides, particularly slow cooked black lentil and kidney bean makhani and kasmiri red chilli – sumptuous and substantial in equal measures.

The botantical theme is carried through to the drink menus, with a curated craft and premium gin collection, with a menu of over 30 gins, and cocktails inspired by plants and flowers.

The house Flora Indica Amber Ale, brewed at Portobello Brewery.

Flora Indica, 242 Old Brompton Road, SW5 0DE