Mint Leaf Restaurant and Bar (permanently closed)

Address: Suffolk Place, (off Haymarket nr Trafalgar Square), London, SW1Y 4HX, United Kingdom

Door: Open door/walk-ins
Style: Restaurant bar
Food: Set menu

One of the pioneers of modern Indian dining, Mint Leaf is a far cry from the vindaloos, poppadoms and pints of lager you'd expect from your local curry house. This underground, contemporary styled, low-lit couture Asian lounge, a stone's throw from Piccadilly Circus, exemplifies modern Indian fine dining but also boasts a long bar extending along the length of the whole space.

Those familiar with Hakkasan will notice a similarity in the way the bar is separated from the restaurant by dark wooden slatted screens. Subdued lighting, leather banquettes, dark walnut and slate combine to give a warm, informal feel. It is not unusual to find live music and a DJ (both at the same time too, with bongos over the music) and you don't need a dinner reservation to simply have a drink.

The cocktail list contains a smattering of 'eastern' themed cocktails (containing chilli, wasabi, mango or rose petals, say) though most are of a modern, fruity bent. There are some classics too, and drinks are stirred and shaken when they should be.