Spice Merchants

From Spice Merchants’ window tables it’s almost possible to read commuters’ copies of Metro as they trundle by on the DLR tracks opposite; from the outside looking in, however, it’s hard to make out what’s behind the plain brick exterior of this Westferry Indian. In fact, it’s an unremarkable mix of cream & beige shades, with a small spray of chrysanthemums on each table for colour – tasteful enough for business or pleasure. The menu is pure ‘curry house’, with a £7.95 lunchtime deal taken largely from the ‘old favourites’ section (bhunas, kormas, dhansaks etc), but it pays to plump for more interesting specials such as lamb haleem with lentils, xacuti chicken or garlicky Goan fish roshani. To drink, there’s a fistful of sub-£20 wines, plus Indian beers by the bottle.