PERFECTION is an overused word but after enjoying a wonderful dinner at Tanishq Restaurant in the grounds of Toot Hall Golf Club, we think it is the only word to do this experience justice.

The owners of this new Indian restaurant have created an incredible experience gained from years of work and experience at top restaurants in London. The staff come laden with awards and reputations which over the next few hours, we appreciated why.

Setting

We know you will have come for the food but let us describe the restaurant. Set within the grounds of the popular golf club, there is a warm, modern feel to Tanishq.

Everything about the entrance says that you are about to walk into an experience. Warm colours, vivid decor and lots of space. You feel that each seating area accommodates different customers. From couples to groups.

The staff are outstanding, undertaking every effort to make this a special evening.

Starter

Before you start, you are treated to a lovely appetiser of an assortment of poppadums with dips of tempered chilli jam, tomato salsa and spiced apple relish. There are loads of ideas going on here and you get the feeling that in the kitchen is a great artist at work.

For our starters, we had Venison Hunter Kabab and King Scallop Moilee.

There was so much going on with the Venison and so we were delighted that at this point chef Kilshore Das came out to speak to us. You really did want to find out more about how he combined quails egg and organic venison.

The king scallops were truly magisterial with the surrounding sauce being the star. You could taste each and every one of the ingredients: the ginger, mushroom, cumin to name just a few.

You were also appreciating that this was Indian food. It had its kicks but the spices and delicate herbs were wonderfully woven in the heart and soul of each dining experience.

Main Course

We chose a glass of white and red to accompany our meal as well as water.

As we waited for our main course you were able to appreciate the setting. It was lovely to look out on to the golf course on a warm summers evening.

My wife stayed with a seafood theme and had the African Wild Prawn. Again, the Colombo sauce was the star but let us also praise the quality of the prawns as well.

The Old Dehli Makhanwala was a wonderful warm chicken dish in a fantastic tomato and butter sauce.

Both dishes were complimented by rice and a spinach dish plus Naan.

In many ways, it encapsulated what all the dishes are about. There is the core ingredient (Chicken, Lamb, Fish) but then come the truly special ingredients created by chef Kilshore that make each dish stand out.

The menu is so varied and so good that is one of these restaurants you would love to come back time and time again.

Dessert

The Hazelnut and Dark Chocolate Raspberry Twist was a treat. It was great that pastry chef Madhukar Thapa came out to tell us about all of his desserts.

He has worked all around the world and you can tell that you are in the company of a master. He delighted in telling us about the intricacies of the Dreamy Kaju Pavlova which combined mango, pineapple culis as well as Lemon meringue pavlova.

Conclusion

There are many restaurants that flourish through a large portion of word of mouth as well as happy customers (as well as visits by people with millions of followers on social media!).

We thought this was reasonably priced for the fantastic experience you get. Whether intimate meal for two, a special occasion for four or a group celebration. This is a great restaurant to experience.

Have a look at more reviews on Trip Advisor

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g3601027-d26192324-Reviews-Tanishq_Restaurant_Bar-Ongar_Essex_England.html

Address:

Tanishq Restaurant & Bar,

School Road, Toot Hill, Ongar, CM5 9PU.