For a Christmas party near Marble Arch, Zayna offers not only a warm welcome, but two private dining spaces and a menu of rich, flavourful Pakistani and North Indian cuisine.
Zayna opened back in 2008, helmed by Riz Dar, originally from Punjab, he grew up watching his father's own passion for food and family restaurant, full of diners, hearty plates and recipes new and old. Inspired to create something of his own, he first worked across California's restaurant scene, learning from some of the area's most up-market restaurants, before starting his own in London.
For private Christmas parties, the restaurant has two dedicated spaces: Ayla’s Room and Lily’s Room. Both carry Zayna's signature look throughout, with eclectic, warm-toned interiors, soft lighting and a relaxed, homely feel that suits everything from an intimate team dinner to a larger festive takeover.
Zayna works on an a la carte menu basis, beginning with a mix of starters. First off, try small plates such as pakora potato and aubergine fritters, alongside potato, garden peas and chickpea samosas, and til mil jheenga, wild king prawns fried in tempura. The mango salad with red onion, cucumber and green peppers also sounds particularly fresh.
Biryani fans will love the selection of grilled chicken, lamb cubes or juicy prawns, while the 'from the pan' part of the menu offers palak gosht with sauteed spinach and diced lamb cooked with tomatoes and ginger, as well as achari murgh with chicken breast cooked in yoghurt, black pepper, fenugreek and mixed pickle, plus ground mince cooked on a griddle pan with ginger, garlic, onions and tomatoes. The tandoor section brings plenty of grilled dishes including slow cooked chicken leg marinated in Zayna’s tandoori spices and lemon juice, as well as cheese-based recipes like paneer cubes infused in yoghurt.