Benares Restaurant & Bar Overview
Benares is a premium Indian restaurant set in the heart of Mayfair, with the restaurant taking its name from a holy city that sits on the banks of the River Ganges. As I entered the large and sedate atrium, Benares has a corporate feel that I felt it would struggle to shake off, but by 8pm on a Thursday evening the place was alive with a varied mix of patrons – from families, to couples enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner, and on to larger tables of corporate diners. All co-existed happily and easily. This varied custom is understandable because Benares combines a setting which possesses the “wow” factor with some of the best Indian food I have eaten in London, making it an impressive and appropriate choice for any special occasion.
As I climbed the stairs I passed an artificial pond of water-lilies, before being taken through the dimly lit bar and out into the restaurant area. The staff were attentive and in some way slightly over fussy, but the usual tools of restaurant analysis (décor, service etc) are rendered less significant as a result of what is a varied menu that promises much. Eventually my dining partner and I selected our starters – soft shell crab in a spice batter with spicy squid and a passion fruit dressing, and ground lamb kebabs with a mint tamarind chutney. All of the dishes adhere to halal principles. Our waiter, once prompted, offered advice on the best wine to complement our orders, and we selected a Peacock Ridge Sauvignon which was reasonably priced at £30. For main courses, I selected lobster masala in coconut, clove and cinnamon sauce, while my partner opted for a masala chicken curry with cadamon and black peppers.
All of the food was superb – the ingredients were of the highest quality. The undoubted highlight was my lobster, which stood out as one of the fullest, largest and most succulent I have tasted during years of seafood obsession. The wine was, as promised, enhanced by the spices on offer from the food. The only dish that wasn’t outstanding was the masala chicken curry, but this is such a staple dish for the curry lover that the moral of the story is probably to take advantage of the sophisticated Indian cuisine and branch out from your comfort zone by ordering a diverse dish. Benares is pricy, but worth the money.
Benares Restaurant & Bar opening hours:
Lunch noon-3pm & Dinner 5.30pm-11pm (Updated 26/09/2006)
Additional Info: Food, Non-Smoking Area
Nearby Venues:
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