With links to Michelin star chef Atul Kocchar, plus a host of awards, MemSaab's reputation clearly precedes it.

If you were only allowed one curry, this place would be a safe bet.

The Venue
MemSaab has a simple goal - to take you as close to India as possible without flying you to Calcutta. They achieve this, not only with the help of a truly mouthwatering menu, but by also appealing to all your senses.

It doesn't look anything special from the outside and you could be forgiven for walking straight past it without a hint of the wonders it produces.

Get inside, and you'll see a stunning blend of authentic Indian pillars and contemporary design. This is Tate Modern meets the Taj Mahal.

As you enjoy a pre-meal drink in the comfy bar you realise this isn't an Indian restaurant trying to be posh - it's a posh Indian restaurant.

The People
Atul Kocchar, of Michelin star and BBC1's Great British Menu fame, sometimes oversees the menu, and he rates MemSaab as one of his top Indian restaurants. So do lots of other people and, as a result, this vast dining space rarely has many free tables, whatever day of the week. Make sure you book to avoid disappointment.

It's busy and vibrant but MemSaab never feels crowded and, most importantly, the staff offer impeccable service. You never wait long between orders, nor do you have to make exaggerrated eyebrow gestures to grab the waiter’s attention.

The Indian staff share the chef’s passion for their culture’s food and are more than happy to take time to explain the menu's subtle intricacies.

The Food
No restaurant wins back-to-back awards without offering something special, and if the chefs know one thing, it’s making Indian cuisine so exciting it practically jumps off the plate.

Many restaurants struggle to translate India’s exciting flavours and spices into distinctive menus that offer more than your typical masalas or balti dishes. But here, with the influence of two Michelin star chef, Atul Kochar, a curry here makes your mouth water, not your eyes.

Not only will you find authentic Indian flavours merged delightfully with everything ranging from chicken and lamb to king prawns and pan-fried sea bass, but the presentation also adds a dynamic rare in traditional Asian cuisine.

Seasonal updates to the menu also allow Kochar himself to add his own twist. You'd struggle to find another curry house that offers starters comprising of Scottish salmon or free-range ostrich fillet.

Thankfully, the menu also appreciates that the majority of people would baulk if they couldn't order a good old onion bhaji. So, instead, you're spoilt and could pick anything from the menu and still be treated to a delicacy. India may seem a long way away, but you may find it hard convincing your taste buds.

Good food costs top dollar, simple – but Memsaab also offers good value. You can expect a two course meal with wine to cost in the region of £30 a head.

The Drink
The wine list is short and to the point, opting for handpicked quality. A standard selection of bottles from across the globe, including fine red and white, share space on the drinks menu alongside choices you would expect. Indian lagers complete the authentic Asian experience.

The Last Word
At MemSaab you're guaranteed good food, but you can also expect great service, fine surroundings and a unique dining experience. The only shock comes when, upon leaving, you find yourself back in Britain’s grey surroundings.

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