Britannia Spice

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses:
   £6.95 (set lunch)
   £17 (evening meal)
• House wine: £10.50 per bottle

• High point: The menu offers welcome choice and variety
• Low point: Some tables are a bit too close together for a private conversation
• Food served: Mon-Sat noon-2.15pm, 5-11.15pm; Sun 5-11.15pm
• Open since: 2000
• Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of menu), Childrens portions, Childrens high chairs, Wheelchair access, Take away

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is from the 2007 edition.

As befits its location near the harbour, a stone's throw from Ocean Terminal and the Royal Yacht herself, the spacious dining room of Britannia Spice is fitted out like a particularly glamorous cruise ship, with all sorts of maritime paraphernalia on the walls and crisply attired waiting staff in attendance. It seems to fancy itself as a more upmarket institution than most, and there are no reasonable grounds to argue with that. Served from a silver dining cart, the meals are drawn from a wider range of regions than your typical Indian restaurant, with north India, Thailand, Bangladesh and Nepal all represented to a consistently capable degree. The Indian influences are strongest, and the range of starters includes such delights as macher borta (baked fish, minced with onions, chili and coriander, although the inclusion of mustard seeds verges on the overpowering), king prawn butterfly, and a deferential tom yum soup. Amidst the mains, the Himalayan momo - balls of minced, spiced meat in pastry - is hearty and novel, while the pista gosht passanda is rewarding for those who like an extra-nutty bite to their curry.