Restaurant review

IT was a marathon four-hour meal, but Chutney Mary lives up to the phrase that good things come to those who wait. The reason for the epic dinner was not down to the service but because there are so many dishes on offer, which are served individually. So be sure to bring good company along. It is an impressive setting to spend four hours in though, with large glass panels adorning the walls as you walk down the stairs to the candlelit dining area. We sat at the back in a greenhouse-style area with potted plants towering over us and the rain beating down on the panels. But there are comfy Arabian-style sofas also. The menu is wide-ranging with starters including spiced seafood, chaat, and kebabs priced between £6 and £9.50. I went for the calamari (squid) which left you wanting more with its squishy, juicy, and succulent taste. My second starter of lamb seekh kebabs was equally succulent and arrived in a more generous portion. My partner went for the taster menu which contains an eye-watering four starters. The highlights were the scallop malabar which was a small portion but rich in flavours. A must-try for the curious is the bitesized pieces of goose. Main courses range from £15.50 to £22.00. And equally impressive was my main course of a large seabass fillet, complemented well by the herbs and spices. My partner was less impressed with the Mangalore prawn curry and the rather bland sauces that it was served with. We washed it down with a drink called fruitini, an exotic part-cocktail part-milkshake which was bursting with fruits and yoghurt. The meal was capped off by a large slab of decadent chocolate cake, oozing with chocolate sauce. Overall, Chutney Mary is worth a visit for a special occasion and those looking to indulge themselves in swanky west London. Nadeem Badshah