Riwaz by Atul Kochhar

Walking into Riwaz, you would never guess it was the former site of Zizzi’s Beaconsfield, gone are the chunky rustic tables and stacked jars of dried pasta and in their place is polished wooden furniture, luxe leather seating and walls of lush greenery.

Each guest is warmly greeted at the door, passing through the bar area you are led into the light and high-ceilinged restaurant. Decor is simple but thoughtful with a living wall of plants and neat shelving adorned with trinkets collected throughout the years. The kitchen pass is also visible so you get the feeling of being able to peep into behind the scenes and see the chefs preparing dishes. Dinner at Riwaz ranges from a reasonably priced set-menu through to A La Carte or tasting menus.

We opted for the 7-course tasting menu to explore a sample of Atul’s dishes. Courses included a start of Chowk Ki Bhalla Papri Chaat - a dish of lentil dumplings served with yogurt and mint chutney, a fresh and light start - which is exactly what you need when commencing a feast of seven dishes. Chef Atul Kochhar’s 30 years of living in the UK is apparent with the crispy fried John Dory that is served with spiced mushy peas - a thoughtful fusion dish that was one of our favourites. Sides of daal and naan were tasty and comforting, while a dessert of milk, dark and white chocolate was the perfect dainty sweet treat to complete our meal. Each dish is carefully explained - including the components, the history and there is also an optional wine pairing. Not one of the seven dishes felt like a ‘filler dish’, with each one bringing a fresh flavour and texture. In a county awash with Michelin-starred restaurants, Riwaz by Atul Kochhar doesn’t feel a step out of place amongst them.

'Riwaz' meaning ‘tradition’ is Atul Kochhar’s latest Buckinghamshire venture, following the success of Sindhu and Vaasu in Marlow and Hawkyns in Amersham.

Found in Beaconsfield Old Town, it’s located in the heart of the town on the former Zizzi’s site and offers a fresh take on Indian fine dining. The menu takes rustic influences from Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Orissa, among others. The unique fine dining menu created by Atul honors his Indian heritage while also allowing for creative contemporary dishes taken from his 30 years of living in the UK. This impressive menu style keeps the flavors and recipes of tradition alive, while presenting them in various modern ways.

Open daily for lunch, dinner and to takeaway, there are a choice of menus to suit the experience you are looking for. Those wanting to drop in for lunch can take advantage of the incredibly affordable set lunch menu, priced at £15 for two courses or £19 for three and includes the likes of crispy fried chicken with tandoori spices, grilled paneer with spinach and coriander potatoes and spiced cauliflower steaks. For the evening, you can experience a taste of Rivaz with a £35 set dinner menu or for the full experience opt for the 5-course or 7-course tasting menu. An A La Carte menu is also available.

When it comes to drinks, the cocktails are where the menu really shines with a host of signature cocktails using spirits from local distilleries and fresh takes on classic cocktails like the cranberry and passionfruit mojito. The wine list is extensive and each bottle is chosen for its outstanding quality and great value. If you would like advice on which wines to pair with your food then the team is happy to help with their unique and personal wine suggestions.