When you find a hidden gem of a restaurant you have two choices - keep it to yourself or share the news far and wide.

And while this may change its status of being ‘hidden’, at least others will get to enjoy it.

Newish to the restaurant scene after opening last November is Rishi’s in Slate and Grain, an Indian restaurant tucked inside Button House in the heart of Hackbridge.

The owner Harish explained that many people assume that Rishi’s in Slate and Grain isn’t accessible to anybody, due to the members-only looking exterior of Button House, so I headed down there to try it.

In the end, I could only describe this restaurant with two words: Hidden gem.

We arrived and were introduced to the warm, comfortable and calm interior before being shown to our table.

(Image: Ezekiel Bertrand)

We found out we would be trying the tasting menu which consisted of a four-course meal.

Although very basic, one of my favourite things about an Indian restaurant are the poppadoms and the sauces.

And Rishi’s did not disappoint.

The poppadoms were perfectly crisp, accompanied by a trio of sauces that were a delightful mix of flavours: a tangy mango chutney, a refreshing mint yogurt, and a tamarind chutney.

(Image: Ezekiel Bertrand)

They set the stage for what was to come, and we couldn’t wait to see how the rest of the meal would unfold.

And believe it or not, that wasn’t even counted as the starter.

A plate of chicken tikka and lamb chops landed in front of us, with a side salad, and a squirt of mint sauce.

It also came with the palak patta chaat which is crispy baby spinach served with cooling yogurt, tamarind and mint chutney.

The palak patta chaat was absolutely delicious.

(Image: Ezekiel Bertrand)

The crispy baby spinach provided a satisfying crunch, and it was a dish that was both light and flavourful, showcasing the chef's ability to elevate simple ingredients into something truly special.

On to our main course where we enjoyed a range of curries and naan bread, each of them cooked to perfection, but I have to admit it was at this point that I felt I couldn’t take any more of these delicious foods.

But I was still determined to get to dessert, and we enjoyed a fusion mix of India, Spain, and Italy.

We had a Gulab Jamun, vanilla ice cream and Spanish churros, and each of them were perfect to finish the meal on a high note.

The Gulab Jamun, with its soft, syrup-soaked texture, provided a traditional sweet touch, evoking the warmth and richness of Indian desserts.

The vanilla ice cream offered a cool, creamy contrast, balancing the intense sweetness of the Gulab Jamun with its smooth, velvety flavour.

(Image: Ezekiel Bertrand)

I left Rishi’s in Slate and Grain that evening filled to the internal brim and vowed never to eat again… until I did tomorrow.

Overall, Rishi’s in Slate and Grain provided a fantastic experience, and I can safely predict that this hidden gem will become a community favourite.

I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to try Hackbridge’s latest addition to its great culinary scene.