Chutney Mary
our comments
Set up by Ranjit Mathran and his wife Namita Panjabi, one half of the renowned Panjabi sister team behind Veeraswamy and Michelin-starred Amaya, Chutney Mary spearheaded the rise of the capital’s “gourmet” Indian restaurants in the 1990s – which in those days meant the generous use of rather a lot of cream. Since winning the coveted Carlton prize for best Indian restaurant in 2003 it has continued to keep the well-heeled diners of Chelsea satisfied with a diverse array of tempting dishes from the sub-continent. Today, while in some respects it might be accused of resting on its laurels in comparison to the more recent offerings from the Panjabi sister stable, it still represents an attractive choice for those who like their curry houses on the classier side.
A large part of Chutney Mary’s attraction undoubtedly lies in the darkly seductive vibe of its moodily candle-lit interior, making it a good option for a romantic first date, provided you steer clear of the spicier choices. The extensive menu covers the gamut of India’s diverse regional cuisines, but with particular emphasis on grills and seafood. My starter of spicy chicken tikka was perfectly grilled and tender, if a little over eager on the chilli, although the over-sweet strawberry chutney failed to supply the necessary sour kick. A vegetable and paneer sheckh kebab shot through with the pungent taste of fresh fenugreek leaves was a similarly satisfying entree. Here unlike my choice, the sweetness of the accompanying cranberry chutney complemented the cheesiness of the dish nicely.
For mains I opted for the Punjabi vegetarian thali, which turned out to be generally well executed, if rather unadventurous, selection of three curry dishes – paneer, spinach, and cauliflower and potato – plus a tarka dal and rice. At its best a thali - the traditional way of eating curry in India, far removed from the British ‘meat and two veg’ version - should be savoured like a jeweled box of edible exotic delights. Mine was pleasant enough, the dal in particular had a delicious mellow smokiness although the spinach suffered from a slightly acrid chilli aftertaste, but not much different from what I might expect from my local curry house. Perhaps I ordered badly, because my companion proclaimed her plump tandoori prawns with a lip-smacking lime and yellow chilli marinade to be delicious. We rounded off with a fragrant mango kulfi - dense, rich and chewy with an almost overpowering sweetness from the mango puree and condensed milk, just as it should be.
The wine list from the award-winning wine buyer and writer Matthew Jukes is well worth a browse, with some interesting and unusual choices to take on the notoriously difficult sub-continental challenge. We opted for a 2006 German Blue State Riesling from the Mosel Saar Ruhe, it was sweet, aromatic and delicate but with a sharpness towards the end that held up well against the robust flavours of the food. Curry doesn’t always have to mean Kingfisher.
Service was attentive but unobtrusive and the occasional disappointments in the meal were compensated for by the attractiveness of the surroundings and convivial and relaxed vibe. Chutney Mary may not be quite the top-class destination restaurant it once was, but it still packs a pleasantly spicy punch.
M.D. - May 2008
your comments review this restaurant and win a bottle of champagne
I would like to say that I am eating there again tonight for the 3rd time this year. It is, in my opinion, and being a Londoner who eats out most nights, this is by far the very best Indian Restaurant in London and in fact the UK. I would go as far as to say 'best restaurant' in London. End of.
I took my 60 year old Australian mother in law here last month. Australians eat very well and very good food, and after 60 years on the planet she commented that this wa the single best meal she had had in her life.
The food is amazing (Its worth just ordering the taster menu! and let them bring you what they want, always the best) wine list excellent, service from start to finish impeccable.
I recommend that people that judge a 'good meal' on some of the reviews below, by the 'size' of the portions and the 'cost' stick to the local fish and chip shop where you are guaranteed to get more chips in your bag than you can eat for £1.50, therefore making any Chip shop 'excellent' because theere is 'a lot of food'. Or go and live in America.
Any true food lover will absolutely adore this place.
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Arnold
Overall rating 
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
I went to the restaurant last week with my friends. the food was awesome and service was spontaneous with smiley staff. it was delight to treat ourselves in the restaurant. i will definitely go again for my special evening to this restaurant.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, March 23, 2008
dined at the restaurant recently and the food and service was spot on. quite suprised with bad reviews for this fantastic restaurant. i am amazed coz with such awesome food and service people dont go happy. i think they take this as a curry house, but it isnt, its in the same league as the top fine dinning places of london, its a fine dinning indian restaurant, serving very good indian food.
even the new michelin guide has rated them highly. i think they deserve the star, wonder why they dont have it, yet. may be this year.
i would suggest all. that go to this place and enjoy the execellent seasonal menu and attentive service
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Splashed out and loved it!!!
Totally confused by some of the other comments here, service was great, friendly and attentive, and the food is to die for!! A restaurant thats been at the top for as long as Chutney Mary has must be doing something right!
Wine list is a perfect match although expect to pay a bit more for the good wines available.
A++++++++++++++ with a gold star!
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Steve
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, January 18, 2008
I had always planned to go to Chutney Mary for a long time but never quite made it. I'm glad I made the effort and will be returning in the near future to this simply quite stunning restaurant!!!
If you're a fan of Indian food at its very best like I am, then you can't go wrong. Yes it's not as cheap as your local curry house but then any one who compares this to a high street curry house just doesnt know their food!
The duck kebabs really did melt in the mouth and I shared with my wife the Lamb shank and the Goa Green Chicken Curry which was just sublime! The set menu on Sunday at £22 for 3 courses is great value for this quality of food and is why i'm going back!
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Robert Shaw
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 18, 2008
Overpriced rubbish!
£50 for very attentive service, nice surroundings but bland 'out-of-a-tin' food.
A good place to go if you're not hungry, have no taste or want to impress someone who doesn't eat anything.
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Mike
Overall rating 
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Rubbish!! An absolute waste of time. I had read quotes stating that this restaurant was the best indian restaurant in london, trust me this is far from the truth. The portions are so small a chicken would be left hungry after eating a 3 course meal from there, the prices are like gold and the service is very poor. I would never go back again.
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Nisha
Overall rating 
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, January 06, 2008
We went there expecting real indian food, Oh god my local round the corner curry was far better, So bad i could not believe it . It was office christmas part, Our MD was booed for his awful choice. The service was slow and the cocktails was a mix of fruit pure' and gin. The starter was ok but did not send good signals about the main course, Once arrived it was cold and plain lentil with curry powder cooked by university student and the chicken tasted horrible.
Dont go there so expensive you better go round the corner for £ 1.50 curry .
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ringo - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating 
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Friday, December 14, 2007
We were down in London for a weekend to catch up with family.
We booked a take for 4 at Chutney Mary on Saturday. The surroundings were lovely and could not find fault. The waiters were efficient and attentive.
We ordered out Starter and Main Courses and were very disappointed with what we received. The lobster starter was deep fried in its shell. My husband nearly broke his teeth in the process! We were not warned. One of us had a chicken dish for the main course. We did not get Chicken breast but BROWN chicken meat.
The meal was a complete disaster for what we paid for the evening to dine there.
To spend over £220 for a meal for 4 I expect something I can go home and be content. I was very disappointed with the evening meal. I resent having o pay this much money for such awful cuisine. If I want to pay for ambience that is one thing but I expect to pay for good food, which clearly was not.
If restaurants such as this want to compete with the likes of Gordon Ramsey, they really need to serve decent food not rubbish brown chicken meat.
On top of that they charged 12.5% service charge!!! I feel i have been ripped off completely and if I could get my money back I would demand it!
I would not recommend anyone to dine at Chutney Mary.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Monday, November 19, 2007
We visited this very pleasant restaurant about a month ago and really enjoyed the experience. Although the portions were a little small the food was very tasty and of the highest quality. My wife and I took our son and three of his freinds and I were surprised to get away with such a modest bill. I thought considering the lovely evening we had all enjoyed and in particular the beautiful food it represented great value for money. My wife and I are looking for an excuse to go again even though it is a 140 mile round trip! GIVE it a TRY!
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Gary
Overall rating 
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
