Rivaaz - Indian Fine Dining

It only seems like yesterday when a well known sketch based on going for 'an english' coincided with a revolution in British cuisine and since then the likes of Gordon Ramsey, Jamie Oliver and others have brought some gravitas and much needed respect to dining out in this country. It has taken a little longer but I'm pleased to say that on top of this, the institution that is 'going for a 'ruby', has also seemingly prompted the arrival of a new breed of Indian Restaurant as different to its predecessors as La Tante Claire is to a well known chain of French Bistros.

In Lymington this is exemplified by the arrival of the Malek brothers 'Rivaaz', which in ancient Sanskrit means tradition and it is here that I found myself for the first time the other day with a very good friend and colleague and not, as is customary, to try and soak up obscene amounts of beer but more to sample proper indian cuisine in a welcoming, stylish and comfortable environment which is both contemporary and condusive to a pleasant evening.

The restaurant was impressively full by 8pm on a mid-week evening and we both elected to try a few dishes that we would normally have by way of a comparison, but also a couple of 'specials' to broaden our horizons. The Rivaaz tagline of 'tradition...re-invented' ringing in my ears as our starter courses arrived, immediately explained itself from the first mouthful, which took my old favourite of King Prawn Puri to a new level brimming with spice and succulence only possible with fresh produce. Similarly when a stunning array of main courses arrived, there wasn't an artificial flavouring or average dish in sight. I had a Chef's Special and the obligatory Tikka Massala and Mr Malek senior, whose many years of culinary experience, didn't disappoint at all. Everything was presented just that little bit more elegantly than you're used to and on top of that the staff genuinely made you feel like they were happy for you to be there. Smiles have replaced trucculence and although the restaurant has obviously attracted already a clientele who are there for the quality of the food rather than its staggering distance from popular watering holes, it is a testament to the management skills and vision of the young and ambitious Shah that the atmosphere at Rivaaz is not only up market and cosmopolitan, but friendly and enjoyable too.

The new Lymington restaurant compliments the existing and highly successful sister in New Milton, operating on the same basis and I suspect that this winning formula will not stop on our doorstep alone. In any event, I would strongly recommend Rivaaz, not after a night out with the boys, but as a destination restaurant at anytime.

Instead of slurring about cars and women, we ate like King's and had a thoroughly entertaining evening, putting the world's to rights.

Rivaaz also has a takeaway menu which you can view by clicking HERE, but for the full 'experience', set a date and book well in advance.

 Rivaaz - www.rivaazdining.com
7 St. Thomas Street,
Lymington,
Hampshire,
SO41 9NA

+44 (0)1590 - 679 999 or 679 464

dine@rivaazdining.com

or:-

Rivaaz
45 Station Road,
New Milton
Hampshire
BH25 6HR

+44 (0) 1425 629 777

dine@rivaazdining.com