Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Festive Fare at Tamarind of London

I love the holiday season! The beautiful decorations, joyous music, family gathering and PRESENTS! I hope you got lots of presents from Santa this year. In 2 more days, we’ll be ringing in 2015. Are you excited? Allen and I had a great 2014. We met so many wonderful people, many of them became friends and clients. We look forward to a better and brighter 2015!

How will you ring in the new year? Scrumptious food and wine of course. Then you definitely want to make your reservation at Tamarind of London in Newport Beach. Executive Chef Imran Ali and Pastry Chef Mark Medina have prepared a special New Year Prix Fixe menu that will have your palate singing and your tummy dancing the happy song! 

(Photos by Allen Taylor Photography)

The dinning room is decorated with Christmas trees, garlands and wreaths. Together with the already festive red interior, the atmosphere is even more festive. 

Our tasting began with Papadum (Lentil Chips) served with  3 chutney sauce; Cilantro Mint, Smoked Tomato and Tamarind Ginger. These chips are thinner and lighter than the Naan chips we had last time but are just as good. 

For the drinks, I asked for a Pomegranate Margarita. It’s not on the menu but the bartender kindly mixed it for me. Allen got the Tower of London (Pinnacle Gin, St. Germain, freshly muddled cucumber and basil, fresh lime). Our server, Frankie, was great at making recommendation, so don’t be shy to ask. 

The open kitchen with traditional circular tandoor oven never stops. I’ve got to kudos to the chef working there. It IS hot! 
First Course on the Three-Course New Year menu is Tamarind Platter. You have a choice of non-vegetarian or vegetarian. The non-vegetarian (pictured above) consists of  malai chicken–garlic shrimp–spinach kebab–grilled organic quinoa.

The vegetarian platter includes spinach kebab–aloo tikki–potato croquet–grilled organic quinoa. You can’t go wrong with either choice. In fact unless you are dining alone, I’d recommend you get both to share. 

There are five entree selection for second course. The Tandoori Bihari Steak (pictured above – tri tip cut-brown onion–garlic ginger puree–mustard infused oil–cranberry chutney ) is new to me. It has a slight smokey flavor, kind of reminded me of American BBQ but with India spices. 

The Spiced Chicken Vindaloo (pictured above top right – chicken chunks–baby potato–spiced gravy) is an absolute favorite! But really, we love Kashmiri Rogan Josh (above lower right – Australian lamb, classic lamb curry–Kashmiri chili pepper) and Butter Paneer (above lower left – Indian cottage cheese, buttery-tomato sauce) as well. The Butter Paneer actually tastes like Mozzarella cheese to me, not cottage cheese. It is an vegetarian dish that will delight even non-vegetarian dinners.

The Salmon Johl (poppy seed crusted Atlantic salmon, Moilee curry, pickled onions, spinach rice) is the mildest curry of the five entrees. I am glad to see there is an option for non-meat eater or seafood lover.

Everything is served family style, so everything gets to enjoy the festivity. Bring the whole family because you know loving is sharing.

Third course is dessert. On the menu listed is Triple Chocolate Torte (dark chocolate mousse, Godiva white chocolate Bavarian cream, Red curry ice cream) but Pastry Chef Mark Medina wanted us to try his beautiful Rasmalai. What a delicious dessert to complete our feast! 

This special menu is only served on New Years eve, December 31, so if you haven’t made your reservation yet, CALL NOW! You deserve to celebrate New Year the best way possible – at Tamarind of London.

Thank you so much for sharing my Wendyful World journey with me. I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year! XOXO

Tamarind of London
7862 East Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92657
(949)715-8338