London -The Mint Leaf
Dec 2009
Frank's view 
Posh cocktails & curry
Fine dining should be a blend of food, service and ambience.
Whilst some restaurants believe any diners who make it through their three month waiting list have such privileged palates, a table in the loo is suffice to sample their elite cuisine, others throw so much money at the glitz and sparkle they forget their dazzled customers actually want good food.
The Mint Leaf, unfortunately, errs towards the latter.
One shouldn't be surprised by this as a quick glance at the PRESS part of Mint Leaf's web site carries rave reviews of its bar, cocktails, its status as celebrity party venue, but not a lot about the food.
Descending the dark grey marble staircase, the place is very reminiscent of Hakaasan, which specialises in Asian rather than Indian cuisine. The bar is long and slim and the dining areas are sectioned into three or four smallish rooms, each divided by slatted wooden blinds.
I was expecting outrageously high prices but actually found the pricing very fair. A glass of house champagne is £9.50 and there is a decent selection of wines by the glass from around £5. Cocktails are typically £9.
We opted for a selection of 'small plates' to share which is the route I'd recommend.
The Slow roasted duck leg with Star Anise & corriander (£10) was a little dry. Three requests for more of the 'jam' accompaniment finally produced a pot from our Lithuanian waitress, but by then we'd gone off the idea.
The Soft Shell Crab, Crisp Fried with Curry Leaf & Mango (£9) was the best dish, although both the Chicken Tikka (£8) and Grilled lamb leg with mint & yoghurt (£9) were good but not exceptional. Sour Mango & Mustard Salad (£6) sounds intriguing but it's really just a very creamy variation of coleslaw.
The Mint Leaf is not for an intimate dine à deux and if you're looking for excellent Indian food try Trishna in Marylebone.
However, if you're out on the town with a bunch of mates and fancy a cocktail and a posh curry......
The Mint Leaf
Suffolk Place
Haymarket
London SW1
020 7930 9020
http://www.mintleafrestaurant.com/
Whilst some restaurants believe any diners who make it through their three month waiting list have such privileged palates, a table in the loo is suffice to sample their elite cuisine, others throw so much money at the glitz and sparkle they forget their dazzled customers actually want good food.
The Mint Leaf, unfortunately, errs towards the latter.
One shouldn't be surprised by this as a quick glance at the PRESS part of Mint Leaf's web site carries rave reviews of its bar, cocktails, its status as celebrity party venue, but not a lot about the food.
Descending the dark grey marble staircase, the place is very reminiscent of Hakaasan, which specialises in Asian rather than Indian cuisine. The bar is long and slim and the dining areas are sectioned into three or four smallish rooms, each divided by slatted wooden blinds.
I was expecting outrageously high prices but actually found the pricing very fair. A glass of house champagne is £9.50 and there is a decent selection of wines by the glass from around £5. Cocktails are typically £9.
We opted for a selection of 'small plates' to share which is the route I'd recommend.
The Slow roasted duck leg with Star Anise & corriander (£10) was a little dry. Three requests for more of the 'jam' accompaniment finally produced a pot from our Lithuanian waitress, but by then we'd gone off the idea.
The Soft Shell Crab, Crisp Fried with Curry Leaf & Mango (£9) was the best dish, although both the Chicken Tikka (£8) and Grilled lamb leg with mint & yoghurt (£9) were good but not exceptional. Sour Mango & Mustard Salad (£6) sounds intriguing but it's really just a very creamy variation of coleslaw.
The Mint Leaf is not for an intimate dine à deux and if you're looking for excellent Indian food try Trishna in Marylebone.
However, if you're out on the town with a bunch of mates and fancy a cocktail and a posh curry......
The Mint Leaf
Suffolk Place
Haymarket
London SW1
020 7930 9020
http://www.mintleafrestaurant.com/
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
