#FtLionAwards 2019 – Best Main of the Year?
After the #FtLionAwards 2019 Best Starter of the Year (proudly sponsored by non alcoholic distribution company Azanti, which promotes a #soberlifestyle), we continue with one of our more popular and important categories: Best Main of the Year.
And in this, we want you to participate, because not only do you have the chance of voting for your favourite on our Instagram and Facebook pages, but you’ll also be entered into our prize draw with the chance of winning a special box of six premium beverages by Azanti.
So we want you to either: 1) vote for the following nominees, or 2) let us know both your favourite dish and the place you had it, all on our Facebook and/or Instagram pages.
THE MANTL
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The Mantl in Knightsbridge already has a dish up for our Starter award. This time, it’s their Pistachio Lamb Chops presented on a bed of shallot pomme puree and surrounded by a good sprinkling of pomegranate seeds and pistachio crumb.
A trio of frenched chops that turned out to be the best we’ve had this year! Thick, tender and positively juicy, it was the sweetness of the pistachio crust, coupled with the beautiful crispy char, and creamy mash drizzled with pomegranate molasses, that made these such an experience.
PATRI
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Patri in west London absolutely smashed it with this Murgh Makhani, or butter chicken! The luxuriously rich, creamy and buttery curry had everything you would expect from such a classic.
The heat of the chilli was perfectly judged, allowing for the curry’s signature sweetness to come through in tantalising waves; and the depth of smokiness from the chicken being strong and heady was beautifully balanced. For us, the best Murgh Makhani this side of west London.
PATRI
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On top of the above, Patri then pull out this astounding biryani. The fragrance of the aroma emanating therefrom was on another level, with the clever impartment of smokiness, no doubt achieved by the “jerk” style of cooking, really catching our attention.
Add to that its fantastic spices, which came through perceptibly and harmoniously, an intriguing gentle sweet aftertaste, and moist tender segments of chicken, and Patri’s Thumka Biryani stands head and shoulders above all other biryanis reviewed this year!
PING PAN ASIAN
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With a Chicken Satay and Duck Spring Rolls already nominated as starters, 2014’s MasterChef winner Ping Coombes’ Ping Pan Asian on the 4th floor of Selfridges in London served us this mind-blowingly good Curry Laksa, which one Lion declared: “Definitely my favourite curry laksa ever!”
With two types of noodles, namely egg and vermicelli respectively, this large bowl of vibrant orange garnished with fresh green mint leaves was out to impress and impress it did with the very first sip of that buttery broth. This was a melange of soothingly gentle spices tempered by the familiar creamy sweetness of the coconut, with just that hint of the sea lingering in the background. The seafood was judged perfectly, the noodles on the right side of soft, and the beansprouts assuring textural contrast.
UMAMI
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There aren’t too many places that offer Halal ramen and very few still who do one as good as Umami’s in west London. Looking the part, with the condiments familiarly arranged and daintily proportioned about the bowl, this pipingly hot bowl contained crispy battered chunks of boneless chicken resting gently in a rich aromatic chicken broth.
And though the noodles weren’t handmade, they were prepared fresh-to-order and came with a pile of menma (bamboo shoots), plenty of sweetcorn, finely chopped spring onion, half a softly-set boiled egg, and, of course, the customary addition of dark sheets of nori seaweed which imparted a touch of the sea. Down the final furlong, it was all about slowly savouring that soothing chicken broth which was full-flavoured and buttery. The best ramen we’ve thus far had in the UK!
