PURPLE POPPADOM *****

185a Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff.

029 2022 0026 / www.purplepoppadom.com

Arnand George, the multi-award-winning chef, has resurfaced in Canton after a spell of various pop-up events. Anxious to discover if Arnand’s winning formula is still evident, I eagerly set off with both veggie and carnivore friends in tow and after much oooing and aaahhhhing over the menu, we were assisted in our choices by the ever helpful Rahman. To start, The Streets Of Mumbai was a delicious medley of aloo tikka – Bombay chat and tangy puffed rice salad, Ipomoea samosa, beetroot pattice and fritters of onion and water chestnuts. A lamb in a thrice (lamb pattice, seekh kabab and a grilled lamb chop) was followed by Nawabi chicken – a dish from the Mogul emperors infused with cardamom and mace – raan akbari, a classic dish of moglai, slow braised lamb shank, and a thoran – traditional Kerala dish of vegetables tempered with mustard leaves. With such an array of colourful dishes, our eyes and tastebuds were alerted to an entire cornucopia of flavour.

Although a feast by anyone’s standards, as this is nouvelle cuisine, the portions are manageable and it’s the never ending taste sensations that completely take you by surprise. The look, feel and texture of each dish is a sight to behold, and without a smidgen of ghee or MSG in sight, all the dishes are prepared with the freshest ingredients and authentic spices. The whole experience was beautiful from start to finish. We ended the evening sharing a rose petal and green tea brulee and a selection of homemade sorbets. A fantastic taste sensation from start to finish it’s safe to say that anyone who isn’t emotionally moved has no pulse.   ANTONIA LEVAY