You will never be spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants, pubs or bars in Covent Garden. One of its truly wonderful treasures however is Dishoom, a modern Indian café I'd heard amazing things about, so I swung by to see if it could really wow me.
The Venue
We entered into a light open space, with smart wood floors and a mixture of sleek black and white furniture. Our senses were immediately assaulted with the most delicious smells, a great way to get any diner excited for their dinner, and it certainly worked on me.
Despite it being a Saturday night we were seated quickly. We were shown to the downstairs area which is similar in style and décor to upsatirs, with the addition of dim lighting which created a more intimate feel. The residing feeling for me was French bistro meets Indian restaurant; with cute tables and chairs, framed pictures covering the walls and lots of eye-catching glass lamps hanging low from the ceiling, all combing to create a strong aesthetic.
Dishoom has a contemporary design, with a touch of vibrant Bombay which really excites guests.
The Atmosphere and Clientele
The clientele at Dishoom are an eclectic mix. We were sat among families out for dinner, groups of friends chatting before a night out and couples having an intimate date night. This harks back to its original inspiration of an original Bombay café, which house groups of all ages to come and enjoy. For me this was a sign that the people behind Dishoom had gone to serious lengths to make the venue as authentic as possible.
There is a lively and upbeat feel about Dishoom. Guests were happily chatting whilst savouring their food, and the staff are energetic, friendly and welcoming, which adds to the vibe. Our waitress was very helpful with the menu and the dishes, recommending customers favourites and putting us at ease.
Expect a mixed crowd, with everyone from families, daters and groups of friends enjoying Dishoom.
The Food and Drinks
Everything on the menu sounded so amazing, it didn’t exactly make it easy to choose. However, being a curry lover I just had to go for the Chicken Ruby, with a side of rice and a Classic Naan to share with my friend. The portions were perfectly sized (something not all places get right); filling us up while not leaving us feeling stuffed, whilst the spicing and flavours of the silky 'makhani' sauce were faultless.
After curry, my second foodie weakness is chocolate, so I went all out for dessert and had the Guju Chocolate Mouse and Chocolate Chai to wash it down. This could be considered a sweetness overload for some, but it was just right for me. The mouse was just as rich and intense as our helpful waitress described, with the chilli and salt perfectly countering the chocolate. The same can also be said for the Chai, with the sweet perfectly complimenting the spice.
Dishoom delivers extremely fresh food, beautifully prepared, with some stunning flavours.
Summary
If you love Indian food and culture, then Dishoom will not disappoint. It is a perfect mixture of a vibrant Bombay-style atmosphere with contemporary décor and a vivacious London dinner crowd. Add mouth-watering modern Indian food and authentic drinks to the mix and you’ve got a real gem right in heart of Covent Garden.
