Shilpa Indian Restaurant

I am always on the look out for a restaurant that serves southern indian , which happens to be my favourite . I saw this restaurant had a 40% food bill offer and decided to book lunch last sunday . A table for five at one in the afternoon , we arrived and were the only ones in there until another table of six arrived . The problem was there was only one member of staff and the service turned out to be very slow . However this should not distract from the very good food that we ate . The bajhi platter and onion pakoda and also the potato starter was delicious .

Now to my favourite dish the masala dosa , which was very very good . Also had the flaky paratha to mop up the samba curry you get with the dosa. Was too full to try the host of other southern indian fare on the menu but , a couple of delicious sounding seafood and also lamb dishes . The bill including drinks was just over £50 but this was with 40% off the food bill but still would have been worth it . No doubt I will be back to this little gem of a restaurant tucked away down the end of Hammersmith .
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Mike Halpin
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, July 30, 2008

I live locally and have tried out almost all the Indian restaurants in the area over the past 10 years or so. If it helps any reader, I have also tried just about all the Michelin starred London Indian restaurants. Perhaps most importantly I spent a good part of my childhood living in South East Asia, in particular Malaysia and Singapore, where South Indian food is the norm, and of a very high standard. Put all this together and I reckon I know a good curry when I see one.

I finally got round to trying this place (takeaway) last night and it was outstanding.

They offer plenty of the stuff that you will find in every Indian restaurant but I tried some of the Keralan specialties and they were spot on. Wonderful fish moilee, chicken dishes with curry leaf (inexplicably hard to find in most restaurants since it lifts a curry out of the humdrum into the spectacular). Superb flaky paratha which is infinitely superior to naan - try it if you are new to this bread and you will never go back. Even chicken 65! I didn't get round to the masala dosa and appam as I was only ordering for two.

I am already planning my next order and feel spoilt for choice.

I can't say what it is like to dine in but I have peered in a few times and it looks like an unpretentious and relaxed dining room. I have had to put a number re: atmosphere in the voting panel for this review as otherwise the system will not let me submit the review. I picked 9 as I feel it deserves 9 for everything else and the manager called me after the meal to see whether I had enjoyed the food.

This sort of place deserves support - for daring to offer something different and for executing it so well. They are obviously (rightly) proud of their Keralan cuisine and steered me towards some dishes I had not heard of when I was dithering over my order.

Price wise, I had a huge supper for two for under £25, and their prices generally are in the bracket of any standard Indian restaurant.

Having used this site for some time this is the first review I have been inspired to write. In my view Indian Zing and Shilpa make Hammersmith a curry lover's destination of choice.
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Selva Ramasamy
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, June 27, 2008

It may not look any different from the outside but once you see the menu you'll realise this place is a million miles from your normal Indian restaurant. The emphasis here is on Southern Indian which makes a pleasant change. It is very good value for money whilst the service is friendly and efficient. I will definitely be going back again in the near future.
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Alan Wito
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Saturday, April 19, 2008

Great food!

Lots of the dishes you know and love, but just a little more special. A little more care with the spices, a little more time spent in the preparation. Plus some extra dishes from the Kerala region of India, for which this restaurant specialises.

We tried chicken, lamb and prawn dishes and every one was a revelation of flavours. And the peshwari naan were an excellent addition - delicate coconut and gently buttered - particlularly good with the lamb dish!

We were only in the area on business, so will probably not return in the near future; really wish we had an Indian restaurant of this quality nearer home!
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Gerald
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, April 16, 2008