"4 Kitchens Leeds - tantalising transformation in to Rasoi Stories"
As you stroll through the centre of bustling Chapel Allerton, it’s difficult to not notice the imposing Old Police Station building, complete with the coat of arms of Leeds affixed proudly to the sandstone frontage.
Step inside... you will find it is now proudly home to Rasoi Stories, a family run Indian restaurant that prides itself on cooking their traditional recipes exactly to your taste, the building has banqueted cells (which makes for a quirky dining experience in the old police station style set up!) and a soundproof private dining area, perfect for parties, weddings and meetings.
Rasoi Stories aims to take the flavours and traditions from all over India and place them within the dining experience, each with a unique tale to tell. The restaurant itself is in the prime position in Chapel A is and deceitfully huge inside with a beautiful ambience of twinkle lighting and traditional indian blasts of colour.
Hello Rasoi cocktail lounge...
Heading inside Rasoi Stories we were immediately greeted warmly as though we’re part of the family. There were locals sat by candle light enjoying a sharing platter and cocktails with an Indian edge, including a Lychee Berry Sling and an Espresso Martini topped with the aquafaba from chickpeas rather than egg whites, making this and every other cocktail on their brand-new menu, vegan and lush.
Now to the menu which boasts a sensational variety of traditional meat dishes, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free dishes, that all have a charming Rasoi story attached to them, giving you the background of the dish. Take a trip to the South of India for flavours of the sea with rich creamy dishes, or to the Northern states for rice infused deep flavours and spices- the menu's have been superbly designed to give you that sense of jumping on a plane and tasting the real India on a plate!
Our mouths were watering as we browsed the extensive menu, so thought it was wise to ask for some recommendations and we were not disappointed with their selections.
To start, we had garlic king prawns furnished in garlic and spices and the vegetarian hara bhara kebab stuffed with a kick of ginger, followed by a hearty portion of Lamb Tak-a-Tak, named lovingly after the sound of the spatula tapping on the side of the authentic Indian griddle pan!
This was chunks of lamb that absolutely melted in the mouth, cooked in a deep sauce with ginger, coriander, peppers. We also went for the Chicken Kolhapuri from Southern India, which was a sumptuous dish packed full of bold spices making it a dark and rich curry that keeps you warm and craving that little bit more.
It would have been terribly rude to not try their completely home-made naan bread, cooked to order in the tandoor; an impressive and traditional technique that we were lucky enough to watch taking place. The breads are rolled out then slapped by hand onto the inside of the tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven heated by charcoal that reaches incredibly high temperatures, allowing a naan bread to cook within minutes. Once the bread has begun to bubble and crisp, they are peeled off, sliced up and straight out to the table to be dunked into one of their traditional curries.
The kitchen team are perfectionists, and cook every dish from fresh following an order. The colours, smells, and curry variants are so vast, but it is the Rasoi Story ethos to deliver every serving with heritage, skill and passion to make the dining experience come alive.
The meal would not have been complete without a portion of pilau rice cooked in saffron and topped with crispy fried onions, and Dhaal Tadka, a traditional red lentil dish with warming spices of cumin hitting the tastebuds.
Dipping those freshly tandoor garlic naans in the explosion of flavours and delicious sauces can only be described as a curry lovers dream.
A full tour of colours, spices, seafood, meat and vegetarian delights is exactly what you get at Rasoi stories, toppled with a cracking new cocktail and drinks menu to be enjoyed as part of your trip to India.
Rasoi Stories is a jewel in the crown of Chapel Allerton, passing down family recipes and telling you their kitchen stories with pride. You must pull up a seat, listen and savor every dish as they’ve all been created with a great deal of love.
To book your table at Rasoi Stories, call 0113 345 2900
Rasoi Stories
106 The Old Police Station
Harrogate Road
Chapel Allerton
Leeds