Tasting Britain were invited down to leafy Warlingham (that’s in Surrey, just in case you were wondering….) to try out India Dining in honour of their twelfth anniversary. Opening in August 2003, India Dining are one of the better known Indian fine dining restaurants outside of central London – and they have a bit of a rep to go with it. Two AA Rosettes, plus ‘the Best Indian Restaurant in Surrey’ in Cobra’s Good Curry Guide for three years in a row now – they must be doing something right! The restaurant itself overlooks Warlingham green – which is pretty picturesque for something located so close to Croydon (I kid)
India Dining itself is the brainchild of restauranteur Asad Khan, one of the guys behind the Cinnamon Club (who also do Indian fine dining, but in The Old Westminster Library). With this one, I think Asad was going for the ‘central London experience’, but without the ‘central London prices’. Apparently India Dining’s chefs all trained at five-star hotels in India, so there’s probably something in that. Asides from the Indian cuisine, there’s also a cocktail/champagne bar-esque thing at the front which is very slick and nicely stocked. They had the rare and fine Johnny Walker Green Label on the menu at some point but had run out by the time I came down . So I settled for some Gold Label out a very slanty glass and it was delicious and photogenic. Actually the whole night was slanty and photogenic – we had a GREAT time. I stayed right ’til the end and hung out with the manager, Tony, and his super chill staff, who were great people and extremely Indian in their mannerisms.
India DIning have have stated that they want to be”an alternative to cheap, unhealthy Indian food that has become synonymous with the UK High Street.” This is a strong statement to make but probably a true one considering the amount of vegetable oils and lower quality ingredients/produce which are the result of people buying so heavily on price. They also ‘do’ takeaway – which is,