Kicking off another weekend on a high, last Friday I paid a visit to Mint Leaf Lounge & Restaurant, located in a chic, redesigned bank building, moments away from the Bank of England in the heart of the City. First impressions always count, and we were indeed impressed by the stunning 16 metre long Cocktail Bar on the mezzanine level, our eyes immediately drawn towards the extensive array of drinks on offer, highlighted by a captivating feature wall of lights and river washed pebbles. Over 500 spirits are served up by their mixologists with a varied selection of cocktails and a comprehensive wine list on offer. The high ceilings create a sense of space and the lounge and the restaurant certainly benefits from an abundance of natural light that illuminated this vast space. As the day grew darker, the warm lighting gave a warm and intimate feel to the place.
The elegant Lounge is separated into booths, the plush leather sofas the perfect spot to wind down and enjoy an aperitif after a long work week – spoilt for choice with their selection of cocktails, we ordered the classic whiskey-based Brooklyn and a Mary Pickford, a fruity concoction of white rum, pineapple juice, grenadine and maraschino liqueur.
We then proceeded to the dining area and were seated in a cosy corner where we had a stunning view of the restaurant and bar. From their selection of appetizers, we were recommended the Chilli Calamari which were tossed in with roasted cumin and green chilli, and the Kalonji Jheenga which were juicy tiger prawns deliciously marinated with black onion seeds and served with a spiced yoghurt. We also had the Lamb Seekh Kebab, spiced with ginger, chilli and mint sauce – not too dry and I liked that they didn’t hold back on the flavours which certainly packed a punch with each mouthful.
I’m always a huge fan of seafood and the Kerala Fish Curry undoubtedly caught my attention – the Tilapia fish fillets were cooked in a rich tomato onion and coconut sauce, and the texture was just right, which literally melted in our mouths. My personal favourite dish of the evening. We were also recommended that classic Chicken Chettinad, another rich and flavoursome curry dish, made with tender chicken thigh pieces slow cooked with coconut, curry leaf and black pepper. Dal Makhani is always a firm favourite in Indian restaurants, consisting of slow cooked black lentils with tomato and butter, which went down well with the basket of warm naan breads and basmati rice.
For dessert, we were treated to their dessert sampler, a trio of desserts that included the classic Indian dessert, Rasmalai, a warm and comforting Kesar Gulab Jamun, and some pistachio ice cream. We also shared a portion of their mango cheesecake which we devoured in seconds!
We finished off our experience back in the lounge area where we sipped on a couple of sweeter dessert-like cocktails – coffee and chocolate are always the perfect way to finish.
In addition to the à la carte and great-valued set menus available, diners can choose from a curated selection of set menus for group bookings and seated or standing receptions. An upmarket destination for sophisticated, innovative Indian food, it is certainly the perfect spot to enjoy a business lunch or an intimate dinner with friends and family.
- My experience at Mint Leaf Lounge & Restaurant was complimentary – views and photos are my own.
