Swagat

Swagat is on Richmond Hill, a short walk up from the cinema. It was established in 2006 by the wonderfully named Sudden Alberts and his business partner Krishnapal Negi. It is unprepossessing, with a small, quite cramped dining room and very small tables. The menu covers the usual north Indian staples, with a few less common dishes such as a curry involving sea bass.

There was a basic wine list without vintages;  Il Moro Delibvoro Pinot Grigio was at £17.99 for a wine that you can find in the high street for around £9, Trinity Hill Pinot Noir Black Label at £26.99 for a wine that costs around £18 retail. A large bottle of Cobra was £5.50, mineral water £3. 

Aloo tikki chat was attractively presented, a spicy potato cake with chickpeas and yoghurt with tamarind chutney. The spicing was nicely controlled, the chickpeas tender, the texture good (14/20). Murgh malai was also pleasant, served with mint chutney, the chicken tender and quite moist, the spicing vibrant but well controlled (13/20).

Tandoori prawns were carefully cooked, marinated and with good texture (14/20). Methi chicken had a rich sauce, plenty of fenugreek flavour and nicely cooked chicken (14/20). Aloo gobi retained the texture of the potato and cauliflower, the spices good (14/20), whilst a channa had tender chickpeas (13/20).  Naan bread was quite supple (13/20), raita a little watery.

The bill came to £45 a head including drinks. Service was a lot slicker than I was expecting in a local restaurant, with staff carefully checking around the dining room, and eager to help. Overall I was very impressed with Swagat, which delivered food far better than I anticipated.  

At a second meal the standard was confirmed. A starter of deep-fried prawns had good batter and was nicely spiced (14/20), whilst a marinated chicken dish cooked in the tandoor had tender meat and nicely balanced spices (14/20). Methi chicken was good as before (14/20), a prawn curry pleasant, though the prawns in this case were cooked a fraction long (13/20). I was particularly impressed with black dhal, which had excellent smoky flavour and good texture; this is a very common dish, but this was an uncommonly good version of it (15/20).  Service was fine. 

Further reviews: 30th May 2017