"People just strolling in isn’t something that happens at this Indian restaurant on Fulham High Street. The plain brown exterior with ‘Pure Indian Cooking’—a name that feels like it was conjured up on a stressful episode of The Apprentice—plastered on the front doesn’t demand attention. Yet if you look inside the dark tinted glass windows on a Friday evening, you’ll see goats’ cheese samosas being passed across tables, garlic naan dunked into a fragrant fish curry, and people glancing quickly at the menu before ordering from memory. This is a place people seek out and settle into for the whole evening because this low-key restaurant is serving the best Indian food in Fulham. In keeping with the humble exterior, the dining room is simple, comfortable, and not particularly memorable. Green and gold wallpapered feature walls and wooden tables decorated only by a single tealight won’t make you return for interior design inspo. What will bring you back is the laid-back atmosphere. A meal here is a slow one. So if you’re looking for somewhere to pop in for a pit stop before a movie, you’re safer heading somewhere else. But if you’ve got a clear evening with a couple of friends who have nothing but chicken biryani on their minds, or a date that you’re hoping will last all night, it’s the perfect spot. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch The other huge draw is that, like most reliable neighbourhood restaurants, there isn’t just one star of the show when it comes to the food. The whole menu is filled with familiar classics done well, from the tandoor-grilled malai chicken that’s buttery and tender, to the Telangana prawn masala that’s packed with heat and pairs perfectly with the refreshing raita. This is a spot where you can order with confidence, whether it’s from the biryani section or the eight-course tasting menu that begins with citrusy pani puri shots and eases into some of the best dal makhani you'll find in a London restaurant. The rich curries, perfectly charred, tandoor-grilled meats, and relaxed atmosphere make this a spot we’d regularly spend a casual weeknight in. And if we were loaded enough to have an SW6 postcode, then a meal at Pure Indian Cooking would be our Fulham equivalent of a cheeky Nando’s. Because a ‘cheeky Pure Indian Cooking’ rolls right off the tongue, doesn’t it? Food Rundown photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Patra Chaat Crispy from the patra leaves, sweet from the pomegranate molasses, and refreshing from the yoghurt—this is the ideal starter if you’re looking to go heavy on the mains (which you definitely should). photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Methi Malai Chicken Tikka You’d be missing out if you didn’t get involved with the tandoor section of the menu, and our favourite dish is the methi malai chicken tikka. Tender chicken breast marinated in cream and fenugreek leaves, it has great depth of flavour: heat with an ever so subtle hint of sweetness. Manglorean Chicken Curry So silky smooth that it belongs on a Veet advert, this coconut-heavy sauce is a real winner. Creamy, with some warmth from the byadgi chillies, and pieces of tender chicken that break apart with the tiniest bit of pressure from your fork. This is the kind of curry you’ll crave once a month. Dal Makhani One of the best dal curries we’ve had in London. This creamy slow-cooked lentil number is comforting, and so satisfying that it blows some of the other meat dishes out of the water. Mild, earthy, and nutty. You need this on your table. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Halibut Fish Curry Sometimes asking for a recommendation from a server can backfire when you end up awkwardly ordering a questionable-sounding foam dish that you’re probably allergic to just to be polite. This fish curry, however, is not one of those. It’s the ‘chef’s special recipe’ and it’s a smooth, creamy sauce with perfectly cooked chunks of halibut. Eat with some warm naan." - Rianne Shlebak
