Image by Lewis Jackson on behalf of Moment Hunter Digital
Sitting proudly in the plush Montcalm London Marble Arch, Hankie’s name inspiration comes from the classic roomali roti – Delhi-style flatbread hand-spun until it is model thin and then folded into ‘hankies’. As well as hankies, this is a place to come where inventive Indian tapas meets traditional Delhi street food.
Interiors are stylish with pretty objects, glassware and china sourced from Indian markets and antique stores by chef and Hankies founder Anirudh Aroraand. Tables are also super comfortable, perfect for a lingering dinner. As much as I like the 20 page menus at restaurants on Brick Lane, the Hankies menu is succinct on one page and moreover sounds very tempting. The most expensive dish on the menu is under £10 so you can order and indulge.
Image by Lewis Jackson on behalf of Moment Hunter Digital
While you sip on a Smokey Mexican (Mescal, lime, agave syrup, smoked salt rim and orange aromatics) order a truffle naan bread topped with vintage cheddar, cumin and truffle shavings. From the small bites, the Gol Guppa was a favourite. Proper gob sized puffs filled with green mango and sprouted lentils. Just pour some tangy sweet chutney water inside and pop it into your mouth. Just ensure you take one at a time as this isn’t a game of Chubby Bunnies!
From the grills, there are some well thought out dishes with an Indian twist like a mustard infused steamed fish and the grilled broccoli, blue cheese and chilli raita. The other highlight was a lamb chop marinated in chilli and cumin. Be sure to order a Hankies but don’t leave it sitting on the table for 10 minutes because you’re too busy in deep discussion as they do need to be eaten hot. For mains, we stayed mainstream with a butter chicken which was cooked Delhi style with a buttery tomato sauce.
Image by Lewis Jackson on behalf of Moment Hunter Digital
Hankies Marble Arch Mothers Day Celebration
Mothers Day in the UK is just around the corner on Sunday 31st March. At Hankies, they are celebrating with interactive, theatrical cooking stations. The street egg trolley will let you sample celebrated street egg dishes like Baida Roti (egg cooked with your choice of fillings and folded in roti). The Sunday roast station (cooked in a tandoor) will have Indian roasted lamb and chicken. The feast will be finished with an Indian dessert trolley. If that wasn’t enough, each mum will also receive a complimentary Hermes goody bag!
Hankies Cafe Shaftesbury Avenue’s Holi Celebration
For more Hankies fun, head to Hankies Café on Shaftesbury Avenue for the Holi celebration (18-21 March). The annual Hindu festival celebrates the arrival of spring with people throwing multi-coloured powders at each other in a burst of laughter, fun and festivity. Hankies Café is marking the occasion with a show-stopping, multi-coloured window display guaranteed to capture your attention. The first 50 people who come to the restaurant each day between Monday 18th March and Thursday 21st March will each receive a free main course and a small bite. To book, visit the Hankies cafe or call 020 7871 6021.
For more information on Hankies Marble Arch and Mothers Day, visit the website or call 020 7958 3222
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Mark Captain is a writer specialising in restaurants, travel, and lifestyle. He loves the theatre and is a big fan of South East Asia.
