Restaurant Review: Talwar Kitchen in Clifton
Posted on: 31 Oct 2024Food reviewer Alys Marshall ventured into Clifton to Talwar Kitchen in what was previously The Mint Room, located at Clifton Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1AF. Here's her thoughts on the fantastic new venue!
“Generous, flavourful Indian food in an inviting setting”
This week, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Talwar Kitchen, a pop-up restaurant on Clifton Road, and the new sister restaurant of highly rated street food hot spot Talwar Express in the city centre.
Having opened back in August in this year, Talwar Kitchen brings all the charm and authenticity of Talwar Express into a more mature setting; warm, minimalist design is set off by an unobtrusive neutral colour palette with themed gold ornaments, and the atmosphere was just quiet enough for private conversation without being overheard.
The Talwar franchise was founded by Mohan Shanmugum, who began his career as a bartender, so it’s perhaps no surprise that the restaurant had a pleasingly extensive wine list, with several cocktails on offer too. We opted for a crisp white wine from Pfalz, which had a slight sweetness that paired perfectly with the gentle heat delivered by our food.
Soon after being seated, we were presented with fresh poppadoms and a trio of chutneys, and the tamarind was a particular favourite! Then came our starters… for me, the Sarson Ka Jhinga, which was one of the most succulent, perfectly spiced prawn dishes I have ever eaten. The Onion & Spinach Bhajis too were spectacular, soft and fragrant but still with a satisfyingly fried crunch.
For mains, we sampled the Rogan Josh, which had all the hearty depth you want from a lamb dish, along with a little kick from the creamy tomato sauce. Then the chicken Murgh Makhanwala, which we mopped up very happily with coconut rice and sweet, pillowy peshwari naan.
Lastly, we couldn’t resist tucking into several of the desserts on the menu — Gajar ka Halwa was especially memorable, an unusual but tasty carrot fudge on a crumbly pastry case, accompanied by orange sorbet. Similarly, the Malai Kulfi (an almond-based staple in many Indian restaurants) was also a great way to round off a rich meal; it was indulgent and creamy without being too heavy.
The team at Talwar Kitchen clearly care a lot about the experience of their guests. We were comfortable and well attended throughout our meal, and I thoroughly recommend a visit to anyone looking for a delicious, good-value Indian meal in Clifton.
To explore the Talwar Kitchen menu in more detail, or book a table, head over to www.talwarkitchen.co.uk.
Article by:
Alys is a full-time copywriter, avid reader and podcast enthusiast currently based in Henleaze. As a recent transplant from the North, she’s keen to explore everything the South West has to offer, but is especially interested in exploring the food, art and culture scene in Bristol.
