LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY95DINING OUTThe Mint LeafThe mantra is usually location,
location, location. On first
impressions one would
assume the location of the Mint
Leaf, on the outskirts of Newark, was
an odd choice for a restaurant but
you8217d be wrong. Situated in easy
reach from many surrounding
locations, such as Lincoln, Newark,
Nottingham, Gainsborough and
Retford, visitors from all points of
the county can dine at the delectable
Mint Leaf.
On entering the restaurant, the
immediate impression is subtle chic
with a hint of cosmopolitan style,
beautifully lit and spacious, and ideal
for romantic dinners and private
parties 8211 which the Mint Leaf are
happy to cater for. With a welcoming
bar and seating area to start the
evening, moving onto the open plan
restaurant with inviting leather high
back chairs and fantastically presented
tables, we simply couldn8217t wait to
begin!
We were greeted by friendly staff
who, throughout the evening, were at
hand and happy to cater for our every
need. We ordered drinks from a vast
wine selection and then began to
peruse the mouth-watering menu that
catered for every Asian cuisine fanatic.
For starters I chose the Chicken
Malai Tikka, a boneless chicken
marinated in cream, ginger, cheese,
yogurts and garlic. Just reading it on
the menu made my taste buds tingle
with anticipation and I was not
disappointed, the chicken was
succulent and the combination of
flavours was sublime.
My partner chose the king prawns
blended with fresh garlic and English
mustard. This was cooked in a clay
oven served with potatoes and exotic
curry sauces. The passion for flavours
was clear in these combinations; they
suited each other and my partner8217s
palate perfectly.
For the main course, again we were
spoilt for choice; one could easily
visit the Mint Leaf on countless
occasions and never be stuck for
options. I opted for the Juinga Masala
which consisted of whole king
prawns with the shells cooked with
fresh garlic, whole green chillies,
spices and red peppers and then
blended together with small spiced
shrimps. Again the chef knows what
works not only on the palate but also
on the plate.
My partner chose the Alfonso 8211
delicately spiced meats cooked in mild
cream Alfonso mango sauce and
garnished with fresh bay leaves. This
was a delicious dish with a beautiful
blend of flavours, ideal for those who
are less adventurous when it comes to
spices!
The passion for food is easily seen
and tasted in each course and this is
undoubtedly from the influence of
Head Chef Amran Ahmed, who has
been at the Mint Leaf since its
opening. Amran was previously Head
Chef at the prestigious Shunargow
Hotel in East India, so the
authenticity cannot be questioned.
Though owner Babul Miah is
young, he has been working in the
restaurant business most of his life
which is undoubtedly reflected in the
high standards he demands.
The Mint Leaf is open seven days a
week, from 12 noon to 2.30pm and
again from 5.30pm to 11pm (11.30pm
on Fridays and Saturdays).
The Mint Leaf is on the A46
Lincoln Road in Newark. For
more information, or to book a
table, call 01636 646994. 095:Layout 1 19/5/08 09:37 Page 1
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