Cambridgeshire food reviewer Angii Smith gives her thoughts on a complimentary tasting evening at The Malabarikh Atelier in Ely.
I was excited to try some authentic South Indian and Kerala cuisine, and the new menu launch seemed the perfect time.
The restaurant initially opened its doors to the public on May 29, 2025, and almost a year later they have launched a refreshed menu, showcasing some select dishes at a free sample taster evening.
Visiting early in the evening, the restaurant was already a lively, bustling atmosphere.
The decor featured warm, inviting tones, plush velvet booths, and stunning hand-painted murals that creatively bridge Indian heritage with the iconic Ely Cathedral.
While the wait for the starters felt a bit lengthy, the arrival of the sharing platter of mini dosa, fried calamari, Malai chicken tikka, and beef dry fry was welcomed.
These aren't dishes I would normally order, but I was pleasantly surprised by both the calamari and the chicken.
The calamari was cooked flawlessly, and the Malai chicken was incredibly succulent. However, the mini dosa lacked crispiness and flavour.
While my dining companion and I both ordered the same starter, some of accompanying sauces and garnishings were missing from my plate.
Overall, the starters showed good potential, though it wasn't the stellar beginning I had hoped for.
The dessert options were limited and we were informed out of the two options, only the Gulab jamun was available.
Unfortunately by time we received our mains, we ran out of time for dessert.
When the mains arrived, my anticipation for the Achayan Chicken Curry quickly deflated.
While the dish was packed with spice, it lacked physical heat and arrived lukewarm.
The execution also made dining difficult. The chicken pieces in the curry required cutting, which proved nearly impossible with only a spoon.
Additionally, managing the rice on a flat plate was highly awkward, I noticed other guests had received their rice in small side dishes.
Ultimately, the awkward logistics and disappointing temperature overshadowed the flavours.
We had also ordered the Lamb Rogan Josh, which was hot and enjoyable, although it was noted as being slightly greasy and not as punchy as expected.
The accompanying naan bread was thin and crispy; however there appeared to be inconsistencies between tables, both in the style of the naans served and in the
presentation of the dishes.
Despite the menu sounding exciting on paper, the dishes lacked the depth and fusion of flavours you would expect from this style of cuisine.
It also felt as though the kitchen may have been understaffed during service, with noticeable delays during courses across a number of tables.
Given the relatively limited menu, I would have expected some level of preparation in advance, allowing dishes to arrive more promptly, consistently presented, and served hot.
That said, the restaurant clearly has potential. The menu concepts are creative, and when the presentation was right, the dishes looked appealing.
There did not appear to be enough staff to comfortably manage the number of covers on the evening we visited, which impacted the level of service needed to showcase what the restaurant has to offer.
With stronger organisation, improved kitchen coordination, and greater attention to flavour balance and serving temperature, this could become a very strong dining experience.
Online reviews appear mixed, with some diners reporting experiences similar to ours, while others praise the attentive staff and well-flavoured dishes.
Perhaps the evening simply did not go to plan, but the recurring theme seems to be inconsistency in both the food and service.
The restaurant undoubtedly fills a gap in Ely’s culinary scene and has genuine potential to establish itself as something special.
While the concept and menu showed promise, the overall experience unfortunately left us not wanting more.
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