Press Jul 07 - Around Ealing
Restaurant with the spice of life
THE BRILLIANT RESTAURANT IS A SOUTHALL INSTITUTION.The Anand family business shot to success 25 years ago and is still at the cutting edge of Panjabi cuisine. Here, owner Davinder Anand spills the sabji (vegetables) on how a heart attack put healthy options on the menu. "When I had my heart attack, my daughter, Dipna, was studying food technology.She improved my diet and my cholesterol level fell from 13.6 to 3.6. I was eating the same food but it was healthier - lots of grilled dishes and the right amount of spices."
Many Indian restaurants have eschewed the traditional image of fried food, flock wallpaper and lager in favour of designer interiors and fusion cuisine. But whilst Brilliant has a sumptuously designed interior, the menu remains resolutely Panjabi.
"People were moving away from Indian cooking, it was seen as unhealthy," says Anand. "I didn't want fusion food. I wanted to improve what we've got, not move into a different cuisine.We use ingredients like olive oil and low fat yoghurt.That's why our main menu is healthy and our healthy options menu is even better."
The high incidence of heart disease and diabetes among Southall's south Asians can be linked directly to diet, which is why Brilliant takes its responsibility further than a healthy menu.
Dipna Anand, who teaches Indian cooking at Thames Valley University, said: "We are changing the diet of our customers who can still have their favourite dish, but healthier. They appreciate what we're doing and we're getting more business as a result.We also run food programmes in hospitals and health centres, and offer dvds with healthy menus. Other restaurants will follow because it's the only way forward."
Brilliant Restaurant,72-76 Western Road,Southall UB2 5DZ.020 8574 1928.
