Review of Masala Zone in Soho

A stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of Carnaby Street you will find Masala Zone Soho, the brainchild of Ranjit Mathrani who has been on the London restaurant scene for over 35 years. His Masala Zone restaurant in Soho is a real gem in the crown. The spacious restaurant and quirky but poignant decoration helped set the scene for the food to follow.

We were treated to an array of Small Plates, from the new and bold West Coast Voyage Menu, which the restaurant is using to celebrate the diverse cuisines of six coastal regions of the West Coast. It was refreshing to see such a broad range for all diets, with options for meat eaters, pescatarians and veggies alike! And the Small Plates menu was the perfect way to try the range of dishes, and the distinct styles they bring.

We were especially impressed by some of the more unusual dishes we may not normally see. The Bombay Vada Pao Slider was a welcome surprise, as putting potato in a burger seems risky, but this dish delivered taste that was truly moreish, and like most of this menu, a spicy kick!

Another veggie winner was the Kathiawari Yam Tikki Chat, delivering eye catching purple yam stuffed with peas which is brought to life by the accompanying Tamarind.

The Karwari Crispy Fried Prawns won my heart however, the coating of spices and semolina really created a crispy coating against the large prawns. I’d go so far to say they were the best prawns I’ve ever eaten!

And for the meat lovers, the Chorizo Balchao Chilli Fry with accompanying baked Katri Pao was very moreish. Eaten by scooping the Goa sausage with hot sweet sauce and shredded lettuce onto the bread was a taste sensation, with a portion size that could be shared.

The small plates were varied, and a good size portion, delicious, but with a definite spicy kick across the board. So be warned you are going to need one of their signature cocktails to wash this down. I can recommend the Pomegranate and Raspberry Sour which could be described as a fruity dish in its own right!

We sampled mains of Goa Cafreal Greeen Herb Chicken Tikka which was beautifully cooked and tender chicken seared with a fresh salad, not too spicy but with plenty of flavour it was a nice change from a traditional curry. Accompanied with Alleppey Prawn Curry, we had the full spectrum of flavours. The curry was fresh and tasty, with mango and green chilli, the sauce so delicious you’ll want to eat it as a soup. Luckily, we had Garlic Naan and perfectly steamed rice to accompany these mains.

These flavoursome dishes accompanied by the great location, excellent service and delicious cocktails will definitely have us coming back for more.

Address: Masala Zone Soho, 9 Marsall Street, London, W1F 7ER

Website: www.masalazone.com

Written by Polly Robin