#FtLionAwards 2024 Seafood of the Year shortlist

Michelin-starred Chef Rohit Ghai’s Manthan in central London’s Mayfair has two drinks, a starter, and two mains, along with this now seafood item up for a chance to win.

Of all the thalis we’ve tried over the years, Rohit’s Seafood Thali – made up of Cafrael Macchi sea bass, Fish Curry stone bass, Saag Paneer, Tadka Dal, Tawa Paratha, rice and raita, and Payasam as a dessert – is one of the best.

The beautifully balanced curry dish, the flavourous Saag Paneer, and the slightly watery Tadka Dal with its mellow heat, perfectly complemented the two exquisitely crafted seafood options. Coming with a thin and supple Tawa Paratha, this Thali at just £22 was also seriously good value for money.

With a drink, a starter, and a main in for the running, Michelin-starred Chef Peter Joseph’s menu at his 5/5-rated Kahani in London’s Chelsea was so good that we couldn’t help but shortlist not one, but two of his seafood dishes. The first are these Grilled Scallops.

The skill required in grilling these crustaceans, such that they retained that chewy edge while remaining soft, was quite something. Add to that the earthy-sweet curry sauce, and this was the best scallops had this year.

The second by Chef Peter at Kahani was this astounding Lobster Tail, with it conveniently cut up into smaller pieces and mixed into an amalgam that delivered a chilli-sweet flavour, with the heat gently emanating therefrom. Truly a unique creation.

With a drink and two starters up for an award, Chef Marco Pierre White’s Mr White’s English Chophouse is in with another chance with this Pan Fried Monkfish Tail.

While the monkfish is more firmer in nature than most other fish, the crispiness of the batter that surrounded this, really worked well as a contrast. Add to that the zinginess brought in by the pickled pearl onions, the freshness of the peas, and the pleasant touch of the chewy cockles, and this turned out to be a tremendous munch.

With authentic Malaysian restaurant Onde Onde in Kingston upon Thames having served us a starter, this time it’s their signature Masak Ikan Kakap Tiga Rasa in with a shout.

This vivid-looking plate presented a whole sea bream that was based in a finger-licking sauce that perfectly balanced the hot, the sweet, and the sour, before being fried to a crispy finish. We just couldn’t get enough of that tangy-sweet sauce.

With two mocktails, a starter, and a duo of mains already nominated, Ribeye in Birmingham proved that its more than just a steakhouse by serving us this Cod Loin En Papillotte.

The plump piece of cod steamed in this paper bag wasn’t just covered in a layer of grilled red pimento paste with a touch of heat to it, but also flaked apart into juicy white segments with no effort at all. And once that scented cream was poured over the top of those root vegetables cooked in a buttery-citrus sauce, we basked in all those aromas and flavours.

Also with a beverage and a starter having been nominated, Riwaz by Michelin Chef Atul Kochhar in Beaconsfield served us these tender segments of succulent Scottish Salmon Tikka, which weren’t just generous in size, but were also marinated in a honey and mustard concoction, and finished with a slice of radish and some caviar.

Had with the dollop of chutney and the onion salad on the side, and this was a terrifically balanced dish.