Zaika

Zaika may look like your regular, slightly upmarket Indian (dragged turmeric walls, soulful photographs of the Taj Mahal) but there’s something a bit special going on in the kitchen. Chef Sunny Singh (ex-Ezard) dishes up mainly northern cuisine, with the odd regional dish like Goan fish curry; the chicken haryali is deliciously perfumed with basil, coriander and lime leaves. Samosas have a moreish hint of hot doughnut in their crisp pastry, courtesy of the chef’s cinnamon-heavy garam masala mix. Locals go mad for the butter chicken, claimed by its fans to be the best in town. Gracious service is overseen by the chef’s wife, Dimple.