About
The rather blank exterior might not function as a siren call to passers-by on the curry mile, but inside this ‘Asian grill’ is considerably more seductive. Bevelled mirrors, a sleek bar and high-gleam tandoors are a statement of intent: crudely put, Ziya is posh. For all the shiny stuff, though, the menu is simply about the compelling flavours of the Indian subcontinent. To start, try the maas ke sule, Rajasthan-style strips of lamb marinated in yoghurt and onion and seared in the tandoor, or fish pakora with lime, ginger and garlic. Main courses might be rich Goan chicken xacuti, with coconut, poppy seeds and Kashmiri chillies; rahara lamb, which uses ground as well as chunky meat; or aromatic Malabar fish curry. It all comes in dainty portions (which sometimes makes the prices look ambitious) and is backed-up by an extensive list of cocktails, alcohol-free coolers, and customisable lassis.