THE PLACE
On the site of what used to be the Panahar Indian restaurant in Fulwood, Lavang is a far cry from its previous incarnation. The new owners, AJ Ali and Nash Parbez (whose extended family run Almas in Dore) alongside executive chef Jay Kauser have brought a sense of style and sophistication to a venue that had become rather tired under its previous guise. The interiors are clean and modern with exposed brickwork complementing the white tablecloths and stylish beige and brown seating, while the menu is modern, inventive and enticing. The classics are in place (baltis, jalfrezis and tikka masalas) but they are very much given second billing to the chef specials.
THE FOOD
We came early on a Saturday with three kids in tow and I wondered if we’d feel out of place – Lavang is as close to fine dining as Indian restaurants get in Sheffield – but the warm welcome from AJ and Nash eased concerns in a heartbeat. After kicking off in traditional style with a round of poppadums and a pickle tray, we got a bit more experimental. Our starters included a jhinga puri (a modern take on a prawn puri), bahari lamb chops, marinated for fourteen hours in chilli and lime then chargrilled, stood out alongside the norshaba squid and kalija pâté with rosemary naan bread.
If the appetisers were good, mains were even better; I was blown away by the flavours of the seafood selection, which when served with the Lavang rice made for a kind of Asian paella. Delicious.
Elsewhere my co-diners enjoyed the unbelievably tender lamb in the gosth mirch (although look out for the Scotch Bonnet chillies!) as well as the depth of flavour that came through in the 7 Hills jhol, a seabass fillet spiced in a lime and coriander flavoured broth.
THE VERDICT
High class Indian restaurants are few and far between in Sheffield and by marrying fine flavour combinations, a modern menu and supreme customer service, Lavang is already up there with the best.
Lavang
478/480 Fulwood Rd, Sheffield, S10 3QD
0114 263 0106
www.lavangsheffield.co.uk
