Carom completes express refurb

Soho Indian restaurant Carom is putting the focus on small plate in its newly-refurbished Wardour Street venue.

The 250-cover restaurant closed for a week to completely change its look in association with design firm AM Creative, as well as revamp its menu for a stronger accent on sharing plates.

Executive head chef Vishnu Natarajan’s new menu additions include a Navagraha dish featuring nine sample-sized curry dishes including Shalgam lamb, Alleppy prawn curry and Paneer saffrani.

Other sharing boards include a 3.5ft Tiger prawn skewer served with Carom’s bukhara naan and a Goan dip, and for single plates, the menu features White crab puttu with onion, coconut, curry leaf and shrimp chutney; and Kodi Vepudu curry – an Andhra speciality with chicken and cashew nuts.

The offering is complemented by desserts such as White chocolate and cardamom mousse and Indian opera cake, and a value tasting menu of four courses with matching wine for £45 per person.

Drinks

Carom’s new cocktail menu was created by head bartender Massimo Bosio, and includes Indian-inspired drinks such as Bombay Treacle Club – a blend of Amrut Indian whiskey stirred with coriander, ginger, and apple; and Chutney Cooler – using Boudier Saffron gin shaken with homemade chutney, passion fruit puree, lemon juice and ginger ale.

 For short and strong cocktails, guests can choose between a Fig and Mandarin Martini with Stolichnaya Elite, fig liqueur, Mandarin Napoleon and St Germaine elderflower liqueur, or herb-infused tipples like Rosemary Smash, blending Plymouth gin with peach liqueur, fresh lemon, rosemary, maple syrup and bitters.

Interiors

The venue is now split into five main areas: the sofa lounge, the atrium lounge, the communal dining table, the dining room and private dining room. All areas feature a soft metallic colours palette of brushed gold, silver and copper, as well as a mix of raw textures, natural materials and antiques.

The communal dining table of amber-veined marble is meant to be the focal point of the restaurant.

Bronze and crystal antique chandeliers complement the new look, which also includes lounge-style seating and eclectic bistro chairs for dining.

Carom Restaurant, 100 Wardour Street, London.