Well-executed, higher-end Indian cuisine at the Hilton Airport Terminal 5 of LHR (thanks to Joshua…read moreJ. for tipping me off to the place!). The menu is extensive - and can be somewhat overwhelming to peruse and choose. However, the restaurant wisely offers a couple of different tasting menus of chef's selections, and my colleagues and I opted for this choice (hey, it was a long day of driving to get to LHR ... in a pelting rain to boot, what the Brits would call "bracing" weather). We started off with an amuse-bouche of an Indian tomato soup, followed by a variety of different pappadums and chutneys. To accommodate all tastes, we agreed on "medium hot" for the dishes - which at first, I thought was rather mild, but this was deceptive for the heat built up satisfactorily with each bite. For appetizers, we each received a flight of 7 different appetizers, comprising of fish, vegetables, chicken, beef, and shrimp (the waitress explained each one, but I'll admit to being at a loss to recall what they were). Some were terrific; some were merely okay. This was followed by about 5 different curries, no doubt representing different regions and styles -- comprised of lamb, chicken, prawns, and vegetable sides, accompanied by two types of basmati rice and a couple of kinds of naan. The best to me was the lamb, which had a great flavor and tenderness, but each of the curries had a nice distinct flavor profile. Finally, after stuffing ourselves insensibly, we were each rewarded with a flight of 3 desserts: a vanilla ice cream, a mini-creme brulee flavored with cardamom, and a green Indian dessert of which I can't remember the name, but it was outstanding! Coffee afterwards and I also have to say that it was a great brew (I'm guessing Malabar).
The restaurant itself is quiet with a restrained decor to showcase the food, excepting the eye-catching wooden sculpture residing in the middle (literally, an elephant in the room - and no-one really talked about it ... ). There's also a Chef's table looking right into the kitchen and prep area; however, general dining room seating also has a good view of the chefs in action. Wait-service was excellent, cordial, and considerate, and very knowledgeable and helpful regarding the menu offerings. Well worth a visit if residing at any of the nearby airport hotels.