Tucked away between Oxford Circus and Hanover Square, the Bindas Eatery is hard to miss with its fresh green awning and doorway adorned by faux foliage and exotic birds. The brainchild of award-winning entrepreneur, Mehak Kansal, who we were lucky enough to chat with during our visit, the interior of the Bindas Eatery continues the theme with cool green walls, foliage and parrots along with tactile textures and the iconic Indian rickshaw.

I began with a Nimbooza which is a refreshing blend of limca, vodka, lime and namak and, my companion sipped on a Tutti Fruitti lassi as we perused the menu. While the Bindas Eatery describes its fare as street food, we enjoyed it from the more salubrious surroundings of the new restaurant. The menu is a delight, offering dishes such as ‘Oh My Gosht’ and ‘Oh Bhaji’ as well as Mehak’s signature ‘Butter Chicken Bomb’. We shared the Chaat Ka Chaska to start with which is a starter platter containing samosa chaat, sweet potato bhel, gol guppa with spiced potato, watermelon chaat and a shot of podina pani, an Indian sugarcane-based liquor. All dishes were expertly cooked and beautifully presented.

For the main course, I opted for the Butter Chicken Bomb, a succulent chicken thigh served in a brioche bun and heaped high with cheese, salad, pickled cucumbers and makhani sauce. My companion chose the Rajma, a traditional spicy curry made with kidney beans and red onion. Both dishes were outstanding and of generous portion size. As we were rapidly reaching maximum capacity, we decided to split a Salted Caramel Gulab Jamun which was rich and indulgent with just the right balance of salty and sweet.

Despite being newly opened, it’s clear to see that the Bindas Eatery will become a firm favourite among the Mayfair set and, rightly so as it has an awful lot going for it – including its refreshingly affordable prices. If you’re looking for authentic Indian cooking with a modern twist, served in a cool and welcoming venue, then the Bindas Eatery is the perfect place to recharge after an afternoon shopping on Oxford Street.

From a 2-week pop-up restaurant, this latest venture from Mehak is on its way to new heights, and deservedly so. Mehak is an award-winning entrepreneur – that’s for sure and as the word ‘Bindas’, in Punjabi, literally translated means ‘to be without limitations and inhibitions’, this best describes Mehak and the delicious food on offer.

A: 5 Princes St, Mayfair, London W1B 2LQ
T: No 020 7495 1705
W: Bindas Eatery

Written by Rapha Zurita  for Luxuria Lifestyle London and International