The night was dark and drizzly as I alighted the tube at St John’s Wood and made my way through the usual throng of visitors who, as is customary in this part of town, were doing their best impressions of George, John, Paul and Ringo and posing for photographs outside the famous Abbey Road Studios. I was in this part of town with my companion for the evening, not to give my best rendition of “I Am the Walrus” but to enjoy the Ritu London Spring tasting menu, a brand new concept here.
Brimming With Warmth
Ritu sits in a famously classy part of town, surrounded by large residential homes and high-end businesses, so you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that RITU is going for a high-end market, but don’t be fooled; this is not a characterless, cold, high-end eatery – instead, it is brimming with warmth and the family feeling of “come in and join us.”
Ritu means “Seasons” in Sanskrit, referring to the six seasons of the Indian calendar, which inspire the menus and décor here. The interior is plush and elegant and exudes class without resorting to minimalism. The soft Luxuriate Life logo-esque royal blue furnishings is complemented by the impressive heavy and stylish tableware. The design is luxurious without being extravagant and manages to create a sense of special occasion whilst retaining a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
A Spring Menu
Incorporating the finest ingredients of the season, the new Spring menu includes starters such as Chukander Murgh Tikka (Seasonal beet marinated chicken thighs, Tandoor cooked), as well as mains like Fish Mappas (Monkfish tails in a coriander coconut sauce with cherry tomatoes) and Champaran Gosht (a taditional lamb preparation from Bihar – cooked in clay pots with mustard oil, onions and spices).
The restaurant has also launched a number of Spring-inspired drinks, like the Levantini cocktail, which combines sake, lychee puree, and lavender flower, and the Seasonal Crush, a mocktail made with the best seasonal berries and lychee, cranberry, and passionfruit juices.
The Tasting Menu experience
We were here to experience the brand new tasting menu, recently launched by RITU, which is the perfect way to enjoy an entire range of dishes from Executive Chef Navin Prasad. Two tasting menus are available; I went for the meat option, while my companion enjoyed the vegetarian selection. Always enjoyable for me, as I get to sample both menus without ever having to sacrifice any of my own food for my dinner guest!
Starters were Roasted Carrot and coriander Cream, served with Gunpowder Prawn and Crispy Lotus stem (Vegetarian option, Bhatti Ka broccoli). The prawns were well cooked and seasoned; the Lotus stems offer an unexpected twist. As the name suggests, a bit of heat is present, but the dish is enjoyable even for people who would describe themselves as chicken korma fans. The presentation is superb here. The cream was served in a miniature mug, and the sweet carrot blended beautifully with the familiar taste of turmeric.
Fantastic Versions Of Traditional Indian Classics
The mains were Champaran Gosht (Curried Lamb) for me and Paneer Tikka Hare Pyaza (Paneer with Onion) for my companion. The lamb was incredibly tender and full of fantastic flavour, the ideal amount of heat. The accompaniments to our mains were fantastic versions of traditional Indian classics.
I enjoyed the suggested wine pairing alongside our menu. A crisp Chenin Blanc (South Africa, 2021). An incredibly crisp and fresh wine with a beautiful citrus aroma and bright acidity, the perfect accompaniment to the strong deep flavours of the main meal. My companion ordered Malbec (Fabre Montmayou, Argentina, 2020), which complimented the Paneer dish with rich, full-bodied flavours.
A palette-cleansing Passion Fruit sorbet was given a modern twist with the addition of a touch of Chilli. Incredibly flavourful and enjoyable to eat, it was only topped by the Mace And Cardamom Mousse. This dessert is absolutely stunning. The Cardamom gives a complex flavour, and the dense texture of the moose is incredibly pleasing. It’s rich, you don’t need much, but it’s a happy end to the evening.
Something special
Ritu is offering something very special indeed. The tasting menu is superb and will give everyone from novices to passionate foodies an enjoyable evening of classic Indian dishes with a modern flare. The vegetarian options are extensive and as pleasing on the palette and the eye as their meat-based counterparts. There are vegan options, too, fully part of the menu, with no compromises.
Go for the food, soak up the décor, feel the warmth of the staff and stay for the fantastic selection of cocktails. I highly recommended adding a trip to Ritu to your plans for Spring 2023.
To discover more, visit: ritu.london
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All imagery courtesy of Ritu London.