#FtLionAwards 2024 WINNERS…

(Shortlisted Nominees)

WINNERS: KAHANI, London
Runner-up: CHIPSY, London

Although these two restaurants couldn’t be more different, they were both so consistently good in what they presented, that it was extremely difficult to choose between them.

In the end, what tipped it in favour of Michelin Chef Peter Joseph’s Kahani in London’s Chelsea was a more rounded menu.

Having rated this restaurant 4.5/5 a few years ago when it first opened, this time we encountered a chef at the top of his game, having won a number of awards this year, having conceived a varied menu with easily deserved a 5/5 rating.

With a staggering nine items shortlisted across six categories, Indian restaurant Kahani is our #FtLionAwards Restaurant of the Year 2024… just!

The runner-up Chipsy in London’s Hatch End would have taken the prize at any other time. They surprised us with their food in a way that Kahani could never have.

While you would walk into a restaurant headed by a Michelin chef with high expectations, in this case, we walked into this smokehouse with more hope than anything else, and walked away utterly blown away (no pun intended).

(Shortlisted Nominees)

WINNER: CHIPSY, London
Runner-up: URUMCHI, London

Despite the smokehouse Chipsy in London’s Hatch End and the Uyghur restaurant Urumchi in Central London both being rated 5/5, the former we felt did enough to warrant this award.

The difference between the two, aside from the obvious cuisines, was that while this was Chipsy’s very first bricks and mortar venue, Urumchi’s owner already has another Uyghur restaurant established in the capital.

And though Chipsy’s owner has plied his trade in the food vending sector for a number of years now, the attention to detail we observed at this his first restaurant was quite special.

It culminated in a menu that was consistently good enough to pip Urumchi to the ‘Best Newcomer of the Year’.

Having said that though, both restaurants are, for us, the yardstick by which all other respective cuisines in London will be measured by.

(Shortlisted Nominees)

WINNER: STEAK ON THE GREEN – Wagyu Ribeye
Runner-up: MR WHITE’S ENGLISH CHOPHOUSE – Ribeye Steak

Choosing a winner for this category was easier than the previous two, given that the ribeye at Steak on the Green had the advantage of being wagyu beef when compared to Mr White’s English Chophouse.

But that was not all, because the former in London’s Ealing also utilises a two-stage cooking process that involves all its steaks being partially cooked on a flat-pan, before being placed under a 2000°F grill.

Not only does this ensure that the extreme heat sears, caramelises and locks in all its precious juices, while guaranteeing a wonderful crust, but that Steak on the Green’s steaks, in general, are some of the best we’ve had in years.

As good as Mr White’s English Chophouse’s ribeye was, and it was extremely good with the sea salt helping to enhance its overall taste profile, there was only one winner this year.

(Shortlisted Nominees)

WINNER: CHIPSY – Brisket Sando
Runner-up: HOT BIRD – Fillet Sandwich

Admittedly not your typical burger, but since burgers are, technically speaking, sandwiches, this Brisket Sando by Chipsy was extraordinary.

With thick slices of beautifully soft and fluffy grilled French toast housing tender slices of beef brisket and an amalgamation of a trio of cheeses; this was better than any traditional burger had this year.

As for our runner-up, then this seemingly innocuous Fillet Sandwich by the Hot Bird in London’s Hounslow was far more impressive than it looks.

A variation on the now viral dipped spicy burger, this wasn’t so much spicy as it was unique, with the chicken being thoroughly dipped into a sauce, before being dusted in a seasoning.

The result was a burger whose taste was more sour in nature and delicious.

(Shortlisted Nominees)

WINNER: CHIPSY – Lamb Neck
Runner-up: MANTHAN – Lamb Chops

And Chipsy makes it two in two. Sous vide and then cooked for an extended period in a precisely regulated water bath, this rare-to-find Lamb Neck was sublime.

At just £15, not only was this dreamily tender and marinated in a teriyaki glaze, but also paired with their signature house slaw, palate-cleansing pickles, and a chilli and garlic dip – all made inhouse and all brilliantly done.

Michelin-starred Chef Rohit Ghai’s Manthan in central London’s Mayfair served us these French-trimmed Lamb Chops, which were an absolute delight.

With a punchy yoghurt-based, masala marination delivering that delicate hit of spiciness, and the superb charring on the outside ensuring that smoky aroma in the background, the thick pieces of lamb themselves were gorgeously pink on the inside and dreamily soft.

(Shortlisted Nominees)

WINNER: RIWAZ – Tres Leches Cake
Runner-up: KAHANI – Heritage Carrot Halwa Tiramisu

Michelin Chef Atul Kochhar’s Riwaz in Beaconsfield served us what is hands down the best Tres Leches milkcake we’ve had.

Having had success with his desserts in past #FtLionAwards, this item was thoroughly infused in a vanilla flavoured milk, with the saffron absolutely playing its part to make this an unforgettable one.

Not far behind though was the other Michelin Chef Peter Joseph’s Heritage Carrot Halwa Tiramisu, which was unlike any gajar halwa we’ve had before.

This was all about precision, with carrot halwa almost quinoa-esque in consistency while not being saturated like some other inferior versions.

As such, its sweetness was masterfully balanced to complement the creamy vanilla smooth ice cream, which sat atop what appeared to be a crunchy caramel crumb that provided textural relief.

(Shortlisted Nominees)

WINNER: MR WHITE’S ENGLISH CHOPHOUSE – Pan Fried Monkfish Tail
Runner-up: KAHANI – Lobster Tail

We’ve had the pleasure of enjoying a number of outstanding seafood dishes this year.

What makes Mr White’s English Chophouse’s Pan Fried Monkfish Tail stand out was its simplicity and harmony.

This monkfish wasn’t just surrounded by a crispy batter, but all the condiments with it worked so well to help complement the quality of the fish.

From the zinginess brought in by the pickled pearl onions, the freshness of the peas, to the pleasant touch of the chewy cockles, and this turned out to be a tremendous munch.

Chef Peter’s Lobster Tail at Kahani was another unique creation, with the crustacean conveniently cut up into smaller pieces and mixed into an amalgam to deliver a chilli-sweet flavour. Truly a unique creation.

(Shortlisted Nominees)

WINNER: RIBEYE – Herb Encrusted Lamb
Runner-up: URUMCHI – Urumchi Spicy Noodle

Ribeye in Birmingham have always put up very strong mains to go with their many steaks, and this year isn’t any different.

Just look at this Herb Encrusted Lamb. Spectacular isn’t it? Covered in a herb coating, the loin of New Zealand lamb was handled well, turning out pink and juicy on the inside, with just that right amount of chewiness.

But it was that silky smooth gravy, with bags of flavour, which combined with the sweetness of the caramelised shallots, and the bitter earthiness of the bed of kale and parsnip puree, to culminate in a thoroughly satisfying munch. Ribeye do it again.

In second place was Uyghur restaurant Urumchi’s signature Urumchi Spicy Noodle, with the addition of the sichuan peppers adjudged perfectly to deliver that customary numbing heat, but without overpowering the main flavours therein.

We enjoyed the long strands of flat noodles enveloped in a deeply rich beefy sauce powered by the wok hei. With chewy strips of beef, spring onions, red and green peppers, onions, and wood ear mushrooms, this was incredible.

(Shortlisted Nominees)

WINNER: MANTHAN – Shami Kebab
Runner-up: KAHANI – Smoked Octopus and Shrimp Salad

Michelin Chef Rohit Ghai’s Manthan in London’s Mayfair served us this superb Shami Kebab.

Expertly crafted with the kebab, itself boasting a beautifully crumbly and delicate texture, sat in a masala-rich sauce that was driven by the umaminess of the bone marrow it was made from.

This came with a crispy paratha that was used to enjoy that meaty, curry flavoured sauce.

Not far behind, however, was Chef Peter Joseph’s very original Smoked Octopus and Shrimp Salad at Kahani in London’s Chelsea.

This impressed us because of how the Chef managed to finely balance the sweet and sour of the segments of orange and grapefruit therein.

With the earthiness of the fresh turmeric, and the light smokiness of the pieces of octopus and shrimp, this was nothing short of magnificent.

(Shortlisted Nominees)

WINNER: MR WHITE’S ENGLISH CHOPHOUSE – Black Cow
Runner-up: URUMCHI – Uyghur Herbal Tea

And finally ‘Best Beverage’ of 2024. This one went to a surprisingly refreshing cola.

Steakhouse Mr White’s English Chophouse in east London put this peculiarly named Black Cow, which turned out to be most intriguing with its liquorice base giving way to the taste of the cola, before ending on a pleasant bitter note. Brilliant.

Even more surprising is our runner-up by Uyghur restaurant Urumchi.

Made up of what we were told is around a dozen ingredients, this was one of the most amazing teas we’ve had.

Comprising of cardamom, rose, cloves, and so much more, this lightly spicious and fragrant Uyghur Herbal Tea needs to be sold in supermakrtes; it was that good.