The Quilon Restaurant & Bar

Name: The Quilon Restaurant & Bar
Address: 41 Buckingham Gate, London, Westminster, SW1E 6AF, UK
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7821 1899
Rating: 8

Indian Restaurant in Westminster

8 / 10 from 1 review

Address
41 Buckingham Gate
Westminster
London
SW1E 6AF

Map

Telephone
020 7821 1899

Cuisine
Indian

Other Branches
Bombay Brasserie

Region
Westminster

Nearest Station
St. James's Park
0.15 miles

Website
http://www.quilon.co.uk/

Opening Summary
Lunch: Monday - Friday 12:00-14:30 & Sunday 12:30-15:30
Dinner: Monday - Saturday 18:00-23:00 & Sunday 18:00-22:30

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Restaurant Facilities

Disabled Facilities

Children Welcome

Credit Cards Accepted

Music Played

Booking Advisable

At Quilon, the philosophy is simple. Their aim is to convey their passion for South-west coastal Indian cuisine in a way which gives the diner a perspective on the quest for perfect ingredients, technique, and a deep-seated desire to continue learning and evolving through old traditions and modern tastes.

Quilon’s menu embodies a unique blend of ethnic and progressive dishes. The restaurant is renowned as the home of traditional home-style South-west coastal Indian cuisine. The kitchen experiments with combinations of modern and traditional.

Quilon exudes the comfort and splendour of the Southern coasts of India through its elaborate palm, beach and sea mural adorning a vast wall up on entry to the restaurant.

The chairs are whickered with cushions and the flooring is natural wood keeping in theme with the rural aspects of the cuisine’s home.

Diners can enjoy the views of the mural in the raised area of the restaurant also overlooking the prestigious road, Buckingham Gate or in the more private booth for a truly intimate dining experience.

The Quilon Restaurant & Bar Picture Gallery

All In London Review

The Quilon opens after re-design, but the food stands out the most

Michelin-starred and run by the Taj Hotel Group (the same people behind Bombay Brasserie), The Quilon has long been a fixture on the upmarket foodie map. Well, since 12 years ago, when it first opened. It recently shut for a refurb, for aesthetic purposes rather than culinary ones, the most exciting addition being the fashionably labelled “Q Bar”, where their signature Qojito (chilli vodka, angostura and mint) continues to be served.

Being part of a five star hotel just a few metres away from Buckingham Palace means the clientele is well-heeled and/or suited, and mostly American. Much of the menu is available in small or regular portions, making it easier to sample as many dishes as possible. The wine list is vast, huge in fact, with many appetising varieties priced between £25 and £40. We choose a dry, refreshing Gavi di Gavi (£39), to avoid clashing with the food, a modern twist on South Indian cuisine (south western coastal to be precise).

And there is much to love on the menu. The grilled scallops, with their melt-in-the-mouth deliciousness and dill and mango relish are fantastic, as is a spongy masala dosa made from rice and lentils encasing the sambhar, a moderately spiced potato daal.

The grilled coconut chicken has a good creamy flavour, as do the strips of venison fillet fried with coconut and ginger; tomato rice and the cauliflower and potato with cashews make for pleasant side dishes, but it’s the perfectly cooked fish that wows the most. The seabass in particular is a lesson in how fish should be cooked, two lightly seared chunks are flaky yet firm, one is smothered in a tomato masala and the other in a green, tangy version. The baked black cod is exceptional too, with mellow hints of spice.

The trio of baked yoghurts (passion fruit, lychee and mango) are moussey and delicious, and a hearty, warm variation on rice pudding made with vermicelli is fantastic, topped with strawberries, pistachios and kiwi, served with a dollop of rose water ice cream.

At £130 for a meal for two, Quilon doesn’t come cheap, but food is highly accomplished and very satisfying. Oh, and did we mention the refurb? They’ve added some pretty perforated screens, a new bar and a private dining area…

Reviewed by Leila
Published on May 10, 2012

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The atmosphere is soothing at The Quilon, thanks to spot lighting and ample space between tables. Dishes from the South-western coast of India are given a contemporary twist; the fish and seafood are particularly good.