Pravaas in South Kensington - Review

Pravaas is the new Indian restaurant from Chef Patron Shilpa Dandekar, you may well know her from her first restaurant PURE Indian Cooking in Fulham. I’ve heard great things, so you can only imagine my excitement of dining in at Pravaas.

Located a short 5-minute walk from South Kensington station, it's easy to find. The restaurant is quite cosy, yet elegantly decorated. Wooden tables, comfy grey tub chairs and curved velvet banquettes, welcome your arrival.

We received a friendly welcome and the staff were keen to talk about the uniqueness of some of the dishes, whilst offering their recommendations. Pravaas offers Indian food that embodies a deep respect for the roots of Indian cuisine with a modern twist.

Some of the dishes from PURE Indian Cooking have been brought over and feature nicely on the menu, so those dining in at Pravaas don’t miss out on some incredible showstopper dishes. One of the dishes is the Chicken Kathi Roll, taking inspiration from the traditional Kathi roll from Calcutta, created with a modern twist. Savory chicken tikka, peppers, garlic, coriander chutney and balsamic glazed onions delicatly placed in a crispy paratha, not flaky like you are used to. And it works so well, delicious, flavoursome with a nice crisp bite to it.

Another favourite was the Lamb Galouti Kebab - pan fried minced smoked lamb kebab marinated in saffron, special blend of spices, cashew paste, cranberry chutney served on layered flaky bread. It was a melt-in-your -mouth dish with juicy minced lamb, it was so good, that I could have easily ordered a second serving!

For my main, I tried the Malvani Chicken, which takes its name from Malvan, a scenic town in west coast of Maharashtra. Another traditional recipe which Chef Shilpa has put her own spin on. The chicken was soft, tender and the creamy sauce brought the dish to life. I'd recommend trying it with the saffron rice or garlic naan. At this point I was in food heaven, every dish we had tried, tasted incredible and the flavour combinations were an absolute delight!

The Dal Makhani is a must! Slow-cooked overnight and for someone who has made this in the past, I know how much time and labour of love goes into this dish. It was very moreish, and worth every penny, perfect to have with a paratha to scoop it up.

For dessert, I choose the Spiced Chocolate Fondant, freshly baked dark chocolate spice fondant, orange jelly, white chocolate sauce and pistachio ice cream. It was sweet, decadent and the perfect end to an indulgent meal.

Every dish served to us was exciting, delicious and beautifully presented. Our waiter was knowledgeable and keen to pass on his knowledge of each dish ensuring we had the best dining experience.

Pravaas has quickly become a favorite spot for both Indian cuisine aficionados and newcomers eager to explore the rich tapestry of flavors that Indian food offers. The bold and exciting creations will keep people coming back for more, I, for sure will be back.

Address: 3 Glendower Pl, South Kensington, London, SW7 3DU

Website: www.pravaas.com

Written by Nyla S.

Photography courtesy of Pravaas