Urban Turban

Urban Turban
98 Westbourne Grove W2
020 7243 4200
www.urbanturban.uk.com

Urban Turban may have a silly name but there’s nothing else silly about it. It’s the newest venture from double Michelin starred Vineet Bhatia, the only Indian chef ever to be recognised by Michelin. His new Westbourne Grove venture is designed to be less formal than his Chelsea eaterie Rasoi, offering a range of tapas-style dishes designed for sharing. It’s only been open a few weeks but already it’s booked out, much to the annoyance of punters who expect to be able to walk into a W2 Indian. Still, the downstairs area will be opening imminently with more tables to cope with the demand.

There’s a central bar with stools for quick lunches and décor-wise it feels slightly like a plush outfit in Mumbai – deep plum colours, hectic wallpaper and lots of busy staff. The menu advises you to start with two tapas dishes each and then order a ‘classic helping’ as a main. We went for a sharing platter, which featured chicken lollipops, crispy tilapia, lime lamb, chilli chicken, stir fried cauliflower and potato chaat, and ordered an extra helping of lentil dumplings with yoghurt and tamarind chutney, which was tasty and full of texture – cool, crunchy and sweet. Everything came in cone wraps. Flavours are intense and clever. Main courses were spicy prawn masala and chicken bhuna, both infused with spice and fire, accompanied by an Italian-tasting rosemary naan. Puddings are sensational and European-inspired: cardamom pannacotta was subtle and smart with basil leaves and berries. Be sure to book. l PH