London seems to be enjoying the culinary equivalent of the proverbial Indian summer. It seems only yesterday that we mercifully waved goodbye to a familiar universe
of flock wallpaper and mongrel concoctions and welcomed the brave new world of Michelin stars and Indian tapas. With Indali Lounge-“the healthiest curry house in the world” we seem to have completed the circle.

Indali is the first local venture of Dr. Kartar Lalvani. The menu references the doctor’s pharmaceutical background-natural ingredients and an absence of artificial colours and flavourings are central to the Indali philosophyone will not find the aggressive spicing, hostile saturated fats or intentful carbohydrates that have hitherto brutalized the British national palate.
The Indali food experience is characterised by restrained spicing and slow cooking. Dishes benefit from the absence of butter, ghee and creams; refined Sunflower and Olive Oils are used in their stead. This is best evidenced in the seafood offerings. The Goa Fish Curry is a triumph of subtle spicing. Taste and texture
combine seamlessly in the slow roasted Monk Fish in Kerala Spice; the spice is a marinade of fresh herbs, garlic, green chilli and Navratan masala.

The menu is divided unsurprisingly into appetisers and entrees. Each section is conveniently sub-divided into Vegetarian, Seafood, and Lamb & Chicken sections.


Signature dishes boast the “without butter or cream” legend. The Black Dal Makhni Indali is one such offering; slow cooked black lentils and red kidney beans garnished with ginger, tomatoes and “2 stage probiotic yoghurt”- uncommonly light and comforting!

Perhaps the showpiece dish is the doctor’s very own Original Butter Chicken Indalionly without the butter and cream. A “dual bio yoghurt combination” is used instead, along with a guarded mixture of spices. A patent is pending on this creation.

Special mention should be made of the bread selection. The Naans, Chapattis and Parathas are free from bleached starch. The breads are made of a blend of Alpine wholegrain Barley, Oats and Wheat. My personal favourite was the Punjabi staple, the Phulka Roti, which is a puffed chapatti and nothing less than manna from the gods.

Under the desserts section it is difficult to see beyond the Traditional Dessert plate that contains mango kulfi, an irresistible almond Burfi (milk fudge), and some sinful Gajjerella (carrot fudge containing nuts).

The wine selection retains a broadly French accent. The best aperitif is to be found in the selection of Champagne cocktails on offer. Indali confirms that “healthy” and “Indian” need not be incongruous. This new eatery is a worthy addition to our culinary constellation.

Indali has a special happy hour offer on food and drink which runs between 5pm and 7pm weekdays. They are also open for Sunday lunch.