Bayleaf Restaurant - London

No, it did not hit the spot! Below average Indian food with HORRIBLE customer service. Highlights: Takes reservation, clean and decent size seating area

Not to be confused with their takeaway just a few doors down, BayLeaf is new, stylish and according to my wife has the best loos she's seen in a restaurant

This really was an excellent meal we had at this (fairly) new restaurant a few doors up from the original Bayleaf Takeaway.

I recently explored the length and breadth of London in search of the most delicious Indian cuisine, and my latest stop was at Bayleaf restaurant in Whetstone, North London. Bayleaf is a fantastic establishment that lived up to its highly recommended reputation, as evidenced by its nomination in the British Curry Awards. I was eager to try their new menu, which offers a rich variety of traditional North Indian dishes with a modern twist. The restaurant provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with both modern and classic decor that adds to the overall dining experience. The service was attentive and knowledgeable, guiding me through the menu and recommending various dishes. The starters, including crispy papadums and homemade chutneys, were a delightful introduction to the meal. The standout dish for me was the Samander Ki Bhojan, which featured succulent grilled king prawns and tender scallops presented with a wow factor in terms of taste and presentation. The main dishes, such as the Lajawaab Lamb and Kerala-style Red Snapper, were equally impressive, with flavors that were tasteful and delicate. The vegetarian dishes, like the Raviya stuffed baby aubergine, were also delicious. The Bayleaf restaurant has truly earned its accolades and awards, and their new a la carte menu showcases their dedication to maintaining high standards. Don't miss out on this culinary gem in North London.

Next to the quail, we indulged in the Laal Maas, a rich and spicy Rajasthani lamb dish, as well as some Daal Makhni, which was incredibly rich and creamy. The Lachcha Paratha, while better than most Indian cooking, was not quite up to par (I have yet to find one that even comes close to the one we had in Kolkata), but the fluffy Naan made up for it! The only slight disappointment of the evening was the Bhindi Jaipuri, which was a bit too batter-heavy and lacked enough flavor (Dishoom's okra fries surpass them in my opinion).