Sarah Cotterill enjoys a festive feast of a different kind
Elton wasn’t wrong when he pronounced the start of the festive season with a reminder to ‘Eat, drink and be merry.’ And for many, it’s that song that well and truly marks the onset of indulgence; the time of year when it's excusable to go out on a Monday, gather round the table and celebrate with loved ones. With their iconic swing seats and a feasting menu made for sharing, Mowgli makes for a memorable venue to get friends and colleagues together this Christmas.
At £35 per person, the table is laden with warming spice and all things nice. Nibbly bits for dipping and comforting curries for dunking into, all washed down with a glass of fizz or bottle of Cobra.
Specialising in fresh, honest, home cooking, Mowgli’s recipes feature the kind of fare that gets passed down in Indian families from generation to generation; a fusion of flavours taking inspiration from the Gujarati cafes and street food carts of Bombay, to the Monazite shores of Kerala. There’s the char of the tandoori oven, the zing of red Kashmiri chillies, traditional railway workers’ favourites, and crispy potatoes tossed in Bengali Five Spice.
It’s food to feel good about. Christmas is about giving after all, and at Mowgli you know there’s love in every mouthful, thanks to their Trust’s charitable ethos. Founded in 2014 by former Youth Protection barrister, Nisha Katona, it’s only fitting that the word ‘Mowgli’ describes a feral, wandering child.
First opening on Liverpool’s Bold Street, with Manchester coming in quick succession, now over twenty of their restaurants across the UK have raised more than £2 million pounds for community causes. A child in need is sponsored every time a new full time staff member is hired, and the tiny gold symbol on the menu denotes dishes with a lower carbon footprint.
The environment inside feels like an enchanted forest. Twisted branches twinkle with lights. Birdcage lanterns and moss hang from the ceiling. An ancient wooden door, ornate with studded ironwork, stands proud at the entrance, like a portal to another world. Embossed silver monkeys crawl across glassware, tails curling cheekily.
The fun begins as your party attempts to gulp down the yoghurt chaat bombs whole, as suggested by the staff. Crisp hollow puff balls are filled with chickpeas, sour tamarind and coriander.
Next up it’s your choice of fenugreek kissed fries, sprinkled with Mowgli masala, gunpowder chicken - spiced battered nuggets nesting on a bed of spinach and red onion - or the ultimate comfort food classic; Himalayan cheese toast, sharp with mature cheddar and a lively lime pickle.
Even the pickiest of eaters will be satisfied with the lucky dip of delights to share, as the chef has autonomy over your main course, where dietary needs are well catered for.
A carousel of towering tiffin boxes showcase the very best of Mowgli’s menu. It could be the temple dahl, keema karma, or the agra ginger chicken, served alongside steamed Basmati rice, fragrant with cumin and black cardamom. If you’ve room for more, there’s waffle cones loaded with refreshing mango sorbet, or a gooey chocolate brownie topped off with vanilla ice cream.
Mowgli’s mega feasting menu is available between now and the 5th January, so there’s plenty of time to get into the spirit.
For more information and book a table at Mowgli Leeds, click here.
