Regular restaurant haunts need spicing up? Greg Landman reviews F.EAST; Long Street's newest North Indian restaurant.

The food
The vast range of North Indian dishes is prepared by Indian chefs using a genuine tandoori oven, so you know you are in good hands. Try delicious dishes such as a vegetarian platter with potato, cheese and corn samoosas; succulent mushrooms grilled in the tandoori oven; and paneer sashlik, which are marinated cottage cheese skewers. Order a generous butter naan and share irresistible shelled prawns marinated in a cumin, mustard and tomato sauce. Go on to one of the curries, either zoomed up to a really hot vindaloo with chicken or lamb, or go for the korma with a creamy nutty sauce, or madras if you like some bite without having to call the fire department. Do not miss the smoky and intense dhal makhani: black lentils, cooked slowly overnight in the tandoor, in a cream and tomato gravy.

The wine
There’s a good list with something for most tastes, not too badly priced.

Service  
Excellent and welcoming service from knowledgeable staff.

The ambience
The large room on the first floor overlooking busy Long Street, is somewhat antiseptic and a bit on the clinical side. It’s very modern, and obviously expensively furnished. The best place to be is on the very New Orleans balcony, watching the passing parade.

And…
There is no wheelchair access, so if this is a concern, be aware. Parking, which is a major pain in Long Street, is available at the Pepper Club around the corner.

By Greg Landman

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