I’m as smug as Charles Campion in a Kerela cook off on Kovolam Beach when it comes to Indian food. I moved to Kilburn to my brother’s flat which seemed to ooze curry from it’s walls – having spent 4 years at University in Bradford and his London living in areas densely populated  by Indians he knows his fennugreek from his fennel seed. So as a teenager I spent time in Bradford honing both my palette and cooking skills before spending 3 years at university myself, in Newcastle living in Fenham where curry wafted along every street.
Back to Kilburn. Willesden Lane has the longest strip of Kerela eateries in London, quite frankly we were all of a Dosa when it came to choosing where to eat such was the choice. Not so Chelsea, well actually you couldn’t get more of a contrast. Where is this cornerstone of British cuisine in SW3? In 7 months I’ve drawn a blank.
My search hit the jackpot last Saturday night when I decided to check out www.indigo-chelsea.co.uk. Situated on the posh stretch of The Fulham Road – that’s the Chelsea end dahling – just west of Ralph Lauren, Jigsaw and Bibbendum. On arrival, we were greeted by the doorman, all dressed up in full regalia, with a nod and a smile. Great start I thought.
We were seated next to an antique statue of  Garuda which had an incredibly calming effect, much needed as we’d just spent the day on a Tantra workshop and our emotions were a little jingly. Our waitress was smiley, chatty and helpful which made up for her lack of a complete understanding of the menu – with drinks quickly served we weren’t complaining as owner Ravi guided us through the intricacies of the vast choice on offer. It is heavy on the regions of Northern India but it gives a nod to the South with offerings such as Dosas and Sambars
Ravi explained that all dishes were cooked to order using organic ingredients sourced as locally as possible. Now let me explain what cooked to order means in an Indian restaurant. In your average UK curry house, generally run by Bangladeshis in case you dint know, most of the core sauces are pre-prepared for example using pureed onion and tomato. Basically they are in vast containers or pans and are then used with particular spices to make the many dishes on the menu. It’s quicker and easier but the downside is they don’t taste that great. Check out www.thecurrysecret.com for further details.
Ravi reminded us that all of his dishes are cooked from scratch with fresh spices hence the explosion of flavour – he was right. After an array of poppadoms and chutneys we decide to swerve starters and dive straight into mains. My date had her usual side order veggies: daal, saag, vegetable curry and I went for Chicken Adraki and mushroom rice with a side order of Channa Masala. It’s the best Indian food we’ve tasted for over a year without doubt, the assemblance of flavour was just perfect  in all dishes. Prices across the  board were reasonable for Central London. With an excellent selection of beers and wines to accompany the menu we can’t see ourselves eating anywhere else for the foreseeable future. I rounded off with a mango flavoured Sambuca, now that’s both dangerous and delicious.
Indigo was the first Indian eaterie in Chelsea when it opened 60 years ago and all that experience runs right through everything they do. We’ve been disappointed in eating out in the area, in so called reputable places that should know better. We now  know where to go for a great meal in the the area where we will will get exceptional service and value: no danger.
Indigo Restaurant, 153 Fulham Road, London SW3 6SN. 020 7589 7749