Aniseed

Authentic Flavors, Affordable Prices, Friendly Service

In the culinary swirl of East London, I stumbled upon this little Indian eatery just off Western Road — a place buzzing with both mixed reviews and aromatic promises. Walking in, it felt like being enveloped in a cushion of spicy scents; though quieter than most other haunts, perhaps lending it a certain cozy charm amid its less-than-mainstream energy. Anyway, as far as hidden gems go, this one straddles between brightly shining and slightly dimmed sections.

The menu, on the whole, offered what I like to call comfort-on-a-plate: think perfectly luscious Lamb Tikka Masala comingling with unexpectedly zingy lemon rice, delivering an honest punch unlike the usual takeout fares that suffer mysteriously from papery naan syndrome (of which we're suspicious they've tragically pre-aged!). But let’s talk about that naan! Truly spot on — crispy yet chewy, with just the right garlic gist. Service wise, they were mostly lovely, despite a hiccup or two, possibly owing to short staff. One couldn't miss the earnest but occasionally cheeky jest rolling off the waiter’s tongue, softening exactly what can be persistent penitence around misunderstandings over an optional-yet-somehow-non thing called the service charge. Still, let's not deny three cheers to the kitchen crew who know their Bombay Aloo from their Paneer Karahi!

— Milo Tastemaker