Assado

I really like this restaurant.
Found on Tastecard because it is one of the few places who do a deal on a Saturday. Usually I am a little apprehensive about restaurants attached to hotels but, this one, you would not know had a hotel relationship.
Identified on Unilocal as a ‘Portuguese’ Restaurant, it really isn’t (this has been rectified!). So slightly confused when I got there. This restaurant is by Cyrus Todiwala (as seen on Saturday Kitchen fame) and is pan-​asian fusion.
Bright seating areas with full wall window allowing loads of light in. Table seating along with booths (I’ve opted for booth both occasions). I have started my evening here fairly early 6/​7ish and ended up leaving pretty late. The waiting staff are generally very polite and accommodating. Never feeling like you are being rushed through your meal or that they are waiting to get someone else into your seat.
Food is well presented and full of taste. Warning, we ordered popadoms thinking you’d get the usual large popadom so requested two. 1 each at least right! Nooooo, you get these fabulous little bite size popadoms with delightfully tasty chutneys, etc. 1 serving probably would cater for 2 given it’s just a warm up for your mouth whilst you wait for your starter! ;)
Dining partner had a few dietary requirements which were accommodated with easy and did not feel like we were putting them out in any way.
Portion sizes are good. I certainly did not feel like I was hungry at the end of the meal. My second visit I skipped the popadoms (as that time I did have to request a doggy bag) and still I left with a food baby straining on my waistline.
I’m looking forward to coming back here!

It is located in the lobby of Hampton by Hilton Hotel, if you check in this hotel, the staff will give you a coupon of 20% discount. Food is delicious dishes，some Indian dishes are little bit spicy, but I like it.

Surprised that it’s labeled on Unilocal as Portuguese when I was told by staff that it’s Indian fusion. Part of the Hampton by Hilton hotel, we ate there the night we arrived. Quality of food is very good and my food intolerances were accommodated.

Towards the quieter end of Waterloo Road, north of the Cut, Assado with a more prominently sticking out ‘Goan canteen’ sign beckons you to try out it’s relatively limited but exotic looking menu. Portuguese Goan? But it’s not Portuguese anymore. So it’s Indian. But it’s not super Indian, and it’s not Portuguese. Some of the dishes are very spicy, super hot, and some, not so much.
We decided to get the signature Lamb Xacutti and Pork Vindaloo, I’ve had better Pork Vindaloo, it was a tad milder than I had anticipated. So I would pass that the next time around. Too much vinegar perhaps? Or perhaps not enough spice to temper the vinegar. The lamb Xacutti was adequately flavoured, and the spicing was complex enough, but I think it would have done better with another dollop of grated coconut.
One positive going for Assado is that it is still relatively undiscovered, and proximity to Waterloo doesn’t help bring throngs of crowds to its doorsteps. So you’ll be almost sure to find a table at Assado even without a reservation.
The food is priced averagely, not too expensive, but then the portions are not exactly super generous either.
The space looks cheerful and sprightly and here is the Portuguese bit with the generous use of tiles and bright colours. Beautiful flooring and trendy wooden furniture.
Assado needs to give more of an identity to the menu, but my 3.5 stars averages to a 4. So don’t go to Assado if you’re looking for exceptional food. But for the price, the ambience, and the above mediocre quality of cooking, it’s worth a try.

We sipped Laurent Perrier Champagne whilst we waited for our starters and enjoyed our relaxed surroundings.
The beef croquettes and prawn rissole were nice enough, it’s hard to go wrong with things that are deep fried although I would prefer more assertive spicing in the beef croquettes.
The fish curry that we were served was mild, yellow and coconutty. It was pleasant enough but bore no resemblance to the fish curry that is served in Goa. Equally, the lamb xacuti lacked the depth of flavour that you get from complex spicing and long marinating.
The dessert was a selection including mango and coconut cheesecake that had an oddly soapy flavour almost like perfumed handwash. The best one was the pastel de nata, a custard tart which was thermo-​nuclearly hot as if it had been nuked in the microwave.
Sadly, I think our search for authentic Goan food in London continues.

Came in as a hotel guest, as I didn’t feel like heading out to dinner one evening. I had ordered the chicken soup which was tasty, but a tad on the watery side. The service was abysmal and the staff seemed to have forgotten about me on more than one occasion, even though the restaurant was not particularly busy. My soup came in a timely manner but the main I had ordered (shrimp) took an inordinate amount of time. The format of the menu is a not very well executed confused fusion. I thought my shrimps were rather over cooked an rubbery, and the curry sauce was not all that reminiscent of India. They did offer me desert and brought me my coffee, and then completely forgot about me. In fact I was still sitting at my table after the restaurant had closed, and I still hadn’t received my check. Skip it and try one of the other eateries in the neighbourhood.

I’m not certain if this place is Portuguese or Indian or a general fusion of many cuisines. It doesn’t matter. I had quite a pleasant dinner — a mozzarella salad and piri-​piri chicken. Both quite tasty. 16 pounds excluding drink.
Service was quick and friendly and the environment was pleasant.
It seemed a bit expensive for what it was, but I’m not familiar with London prices. In San Francisco $ 16 would be ok.