Something's brewing in the Queen's tandoor and it ain't just Indian. Unlikely as it may seem, the Queen's Tandoor Restaurant serves Chinese food, as Indian Cuisine was not as widely known as today when the restaurant opened twenty years ago. Through hard work and the magic of spices and herbs, The Queen's reign has spread with a branch restaurant in Jakarta called the Jewel of India and the Queen's of India. The Queen's Tandoor is also available in Seminyak, Bali and the Phillipines. Another branch in Malaysia will also be available in the near future.

Meanwhile, a visit to the Queen's Tandoor in Plaza Permata, central Jakarta, will delight you with tastes from the country of a thousand charms.

• The Vibe
  Leaving up to expectations, Indian antiques such as Ganesha statues and ornate decorations adorn the restaurant. Precisely, the Queen's Tandoor will give you just that. The area within is kept spacious, with tables wide enough to avoid the dreaded elbow rubs. This minimalist concept gives the restaurant a much-needed saviour from the notoriety of many restaurants that are just too cramped.

  With several private dining rooms on the far side of the restaurant, the separators for those rooms can be moved to reveal a large performing stage. Complete with a reasonably-sized bar, this joint turns into your entertainment centre by night.

• The Food
  Most of the menu items originate from Northern India, which are popular among most diners, with several contributions from southern India. The Queen's Tandoor also still serves quite an array of Chinese food.

  The Papadum Masala is an excellent way to start. This is thin, crispy bread topped with wonderfully fresh bits of tomato, onions and chilly powder, making it teasingly zesty and light. Most people will think of Samosa when embracing the subject of Indian appetizers and the Queen's Samosa will not let you down. Although the amount of potatoes inside slightly overshadows the chickpeas, the overall texture and cooking will not disappoint.

  Lamb lovers will swear by the Queen's Rogan Josh. This lamb curry tastes like your spiced-up haven with the meat is sweet and tender - truly perfect for the accompanying Naan bread, which leans more towards the fulfilling side. The Cane Bread, another option for your curry, is done wonderfully and not too heavy. However, an even more magnificent take on lamb is the Raan E Baher. This is marinated lamb leg cooked so tender that the meat slips off easily from the bone. The spices seep nicely inside the meat, yet not overpowering the original lamb's taste.

  For the white-meat lovers, Chicken Tandoori or the Prawn Tandoor will provide a good alternative. These dishes are the perfect homage to the restaurant's name. The rich Briyani rice is perfect for you looking for an all-in-one meal. Generous chunks of chicken are hidden inside the fragrant rice, making it a very satisfying chomp.

  Mr Yanto, the Manager of Queen's Tandoor, says that the dishes in this restaurant have been accomodated to the global palate. For a more authentic taste, he claims, one can visit the Queen's of India Restaurant located in Sunter Hotel, North Jakarta. Yet, the Queen's Tandoor can still hold on its own with all the essential spices are still imported from Singapore. While such ingredients are available in Indonesia , the Singapore products are of better quality. He also ensures that the Chicken Tandooris are cooked in actual tandoors, following the rule of the thumb.

• The Drinks and desserts
  As always, the bar is a temptation. However, give your liver a break and indulge in the Queen's Tandoor's Mango Lassi. This refreshing mixture of yoghurt and mango is perfect to wash down the rich sauces down your throat. For a sweeter taste in life, go on a sugar rush with the Falooda, a wonderful mixture of milk, sherbet and ice cream.

  The Queen's Tandoor serves well-known Indian desserts such as the Gulab Jamun. However, you can bring them home by paying a visit to the traditional Indian sweets corner, where you can buy ounces or kilograms of traditional Indian sweets such as Keju Kath – ground cashews with milk molded into ‘candy' form.

The SD Food Advisor's take on The Queen's Tandoor
The Restaurant is nicely located and perfect for family gatherings, even family parties. The food is excellent, although a few of the dishes verge more on the ‘safe' side. Best picks are the curries and lamb dishes. Also, the Cane bread is tastier than the Nan bread. Do sample the Papadum Masala and the traditional sweets, for they are quite addictive.

The Queen's Tandoor Restaurant
Permata Plaza Basement
MH. Thamrin St. Kav. 57
Gondangdia Village, Menteng
Central Jakarta City 10350
+62-21-3903287 / +62-21-3903288 
+62-21-3903286 / +62-21-6518201