They say that looks can be deceiving and the same is true of Pure Indian Cooking, which looks from the outside to be a run-of-the-mill curry house. Step through the door though and you will find a kitchen that turns out some first-rate Indian cooking, courtesy of chef-patron Shilpa Dandekar, who is an alum of Michelin-starred Quilon and was previously head chef at the very first Brasserie Blanc in the capital.
Pure Indian Cooking is a proudly family-run operation with sweet and knowledgeable servers, offering a tempting menu that hops around the subcontinent. From the a la carte, you can begin your experience by tucking into the likes of a vegetable samosa stuffed with spinach, sun dried tomato and goat’s cheese, or perhaps shrimps tossed in a tongue tingling fennel flavoured masala. For your main course, choose between dishes cooked inside a clay oven, such as orange and tamarind chicken tikka or paneer marinated in saffron and other spices, or opt for game - Tandoori duck perhaps, or a venison steak.
There are seafood dishes and biryani available too, as well as plenty of vegetarian options - think creamy spinach with brown garlic or potato and cauliflower tossed in a heady mix of spices. All of the usual accompaniments are available too, including naans, roti and raita, while the dessert offering is thrillingly innovative: dig your spoon into the likes of a masala chai chocolate fondant or pistachio and cream pastry croquettes.
If you are dining for a special occasion such as a birthday or wedding anniversary, opt for the multi-course tasting menu, which is fantastic value at just under £50 per head. Prefer to have a lazy night in? Pure Indian Cooking also does home delivery, with diners able to build up loyalty points which they can redeem against future purchases.