A Southwell restaurant has received an accolade at the Curry Life Awards.

Lasani Southwell’s “innovative flavours and imaginative ingredient combinations” earned it a Best Restaurant of the Year title.

The prestigious award came just two years after Safir Iqbal opened the Church Street restaurant.

Signature dishes include Nahari Lamb Shank, pairing a traditional nahari sauce with a rich red wine reduction — an unusual combination in Indian cuisine that reflects Lasani’s innovative approach to flavour, while the Dum Biryani is cooked in a clay pot sealed beneath a flaky paratha, allowing the rice to absorb every layer of flavour before it reaches the table.

Vegetarian and vegan diners are equally well catered for with dishes such as Achari Begun, featuring aubergine, baby corn, roasted ginger and achari spices.

Starters include the colourful Tikka Trio, showcasing three different tandoori marinades, while homemade desserts range from Gajar Halwa and Gulab Jamun to the restaurant’s own Elachi Malai Cake, infused with cardamom milk, cream, cinnamon, and rose essence.

A carefully-curated wine list and signature cocktails inspired by Indian flavours complete the experience.

“It gives us great satisfaction in what we’re providing, but it’s also a thank you to our customers,” said Safir. “Without their support it wouldn’t be possible to grow as a brand.”

The Curry Life Awards, organised by Curry Life magazine, part of Curry Life Media Group, took place at the InterContinental London Park Lane. The ceremony was hosted by BBC presenters and journalists Jon Kay and Luxmy Gopal.

The event brought together more than 500 guests, including British Asian entrepreneurs and professionals from across the hospitality industry, to celebrate the best of the curry sector and highlight its excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

A total of 41 awards were presented to winners from across the country in different categories, including Best Restaurant, Best Chef, Editor’s Choice and Best Takeaway.

Thousands of customers voted for their favourite restaurants, takeaways, and chefs from across the country, before judges went through a rigorous selection process to choose the winners.

Pictured is owner Safir Iqbal and Riaz Chowdhury holding the Curry Life Award. Also pictured, from left, are host Jon Kay, of the BBC, COBRA Beer sales director Rory Naylor, Lloyd Hatton MP from Weymouth, and host Luxmy Gopal of the BBC.

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