London |

Dishoom Canary Wharf | Restaurant Review

Place: Dishoom Canary Wharf
Location: 13 Water St, Food Wharf
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with wifey and our lil one)
On: Sunday, 18 August 2024

After a lovely summer day at Greenwich Park, we passed through Canary Wharf and decided to try Dishoom. Wifey had been to this location before and had great things to say, but I was a bit apprehensive, as I’ve always felt Dishoom is somewhat overhyped. To our surprise, we were seated in about ten minutes, despite expecting a long wait.

The restaurant is expansive, featuring two floors of seating overlooking the water. It boasts a warm, fine dining ambiance designed to evoke Bombay. We were seated on the ground floor, right in the center. I asked if we could sit on one of the sofas, but they informed us the table was reserved (though no one showed up the entire time we were there). I’m not sure if it was intentional, but there were many waiters moving around, and we couldn’t quite tell who was responsible for our table.

Wifey noted that the waiters usually ask if it’s your first time at Dishoom and provide an overview of the menu. I saw this happening at the next table, but not at ours. We went straight to ordering: we started with a Bun Maska Chai for Wifey, a portion of Okra Fries, and Grilled Malai Mushrooms, along with a Virgin Piña Colada for myself.

Hyderabad, the city we’re from, is famous for its Bun Maska Chai, so I was eager to try this one. The bun was soft with just the right amount of butter, though I found it a bit dry. The chai didn’t suit my taste, but wifey enjoyed it.

The service was quick, and the Piña Colada arrived shortly after — it was quite decent.

Wifey recommended the Okra Fries. The okra was fried to perfection and tasted great, though I thought it had a bit too much chaat masala. I was also unimpressed with the portion size.

Next came the mushrooms, which tasted good. I would have preferred a bit more malai, as some pieces were a little too dry, but overall, it was the best dish of the evening so far.

At this point, we weren’t very hungry, so we decided to order just two main courses: a portion of Paneer Tikka from the children’s menu for the lil one, and an Awadhi Jackfruit Biryani.

The Paneer Tikka, served with potatoes, slaw, and a glass of fruit juice, looked promising. However, it was very dry, and none of the condiments added enough moisture. The lil one had a couple of paneer pieces and called it a day!

We received a portion of fryums, though I wasn’t sure what they accompanied. I initially thought they were part of the biryani, but I noticed the table next to us ordered the same biryani and didn’t get any. We’re not ones to say no to fryums, so we enjoyed them anyway!

This was our first time trying Jackfruit Biryani, and it turned out to be really good. The jackfruit pieces were juicy, and the rice was perfectly cooked with a lovely flavor. A slight sweetness from the raisins and jackfruit added to the dish, which I really liked. While it was served with raita, I would have preferred a subtle gravy as an accompaniment.

Overall, it was a decent meal. While the mushrooms and biryani were good, the other dishes were forgettable. Additionally, the service felt chaotic at best, and it didn’t have the refined atmosphere of a fine dining restaurant. In summary, I still believe Dishoom is overhyped, especially considering there are many other restaurants in London offering better-tasting food. For one, I’d recommend Farzi London.

Food: 7/10
Service: 5/10
Ambiance: 8/10
Meal for 3: £63

Verdict: 7/10

Saravana Bhavan – Harrow | Restaurant Review

Place: Saravana Bhavan
Location: 403 Alexandra Ave, Rayners Lane
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with wifey and our lil one)
On: Friday, 13 September 2024

Saravana Bhavan in Rayners Lane is a restaurant we visit quite often, and I’m surprised I haven’t written a review for it until now! On weekday evenings, we usually face a toss-up between this place, A2B, or MTR for dinner. Last weekend, on Friday, we found the restaurant packed around 7:00 PM. The waiting area was well managed, and it took about 15 minutes before we settled into our booth.

Saravana Bhavan offers the same menu across all their London branches, though prices vary. I typically choose the North Indian Thali, but this time wifey decided to try it while I ordered a Channa Batura. Our lil one, being five and having her unique tastes, wanted a Butter Naan with Mushroom-65 — a quirky combination, but we went with it.

Saravana Bhavan - Harrow | Channa Batura

The Channa Batura arrived first, in about ten minutes. It differs from the Chole Batura found in North Indian restaurants; the batura isn’t as puffy, and the channa has a distinct South Indian flavor that’s absolutely delicious. My only qualm is that the quantity of channa isn’t quite enough for two baturas, especially for someone like me who likes more curry with each bite.

We were informed that the mushroom and naan would take a while, so our lil one finished one of the baturas.

Saravana Bhavan - Harrow | North Indian Thali

The soup and spring roll for the Thali came shortly after. The soup was a vegetable broth with nice spice, while the spring rolls were crunchy and quite decent.

Saravana Bhavan - Harrow | North Indian Thali

Next came the Thali, which included Paneer Butter Masala, Channa Masala, Aloo Palak, and Kala Channa, accompanied by two chapathis, a bowl of biryani, Gulab Jamun, raita, salad, and papad (very similar to what Arya Bhavan offers, but at a lower price). The PBM had a lovely flavor, while the Channa Masala was milder than the one served with the Channa Batura. The other curries were decent, and the biryani was good as well.

Saravana Bhavan - Harrow | Butter Naan

The Butter Naan was soft and perfectly cooked, pairing wonderfully with the curries in the Thali.

Saravana Bhavan - Harrow | Mushroom-65

The Mushroom-65 arrived shortly after, and it was quite good. Deep-fried mushrooms tossed in spicy masala — what’s not to like?

Saravana Bhavan - Harrow | Cashew Pulao

Still feeling a bit hungry, we decided to order the Cashew Pulao. It arrived quickly and, in my opinion, was the best dish of the evening. The rice was perfectly seasoned and filled with just the right amount of cashews, making it incredibly flavorful. It even reminded me of my childhood favorite, Ghee Rice from Shanbhag in India.

Overall, it was a very good meal. Wifey prefers Saravana Bhavan over A2B, but I’m not particularly keen, as our previous experiences haven’t met my expectations. However, I must say that today was the best meal we’ve had during all our visits. The service is usually quick and friendly, and the prices are affordable. As the largest Indian restaurant chain in the world, franchises can make it challenging to maintain consistent taste, but this branch in Rayners Lane typically doesn’t disappoint.

Food: 9/10
Service: 8.5/10
Ambiance: 8/10
Meal for 3: £33.15

Verdict: 8.5/10

Arya Bhavan – Wembley | Restaurant Review

Place: Arya Bhavan
Location: 22 Ealing Rd, Wembley
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with wifey and our lil one)
On: Thursday, 5 September 2024

We were in Wembley shopping for Vinayaka Chavithi (Ganesh Chaturthi) and, as it got late, decided to try the new restaurant that replaced Saravana Bhavan.. Though it had a similar layout, the décor had been refreshed, and the tables were spaced out more generously. We found a cozy sofa at one end of the restaurant, settled in, and got ready to order.

It took a while for the waiter to attend to our table, but when she finally did, we ordered an Idli Vada for the wifey, a Ghee Uthapam for the lil one, and a North Indian Thali for myself.

Arya Bhavan Wembley - Idli Vada

The Idli Vada was served in about five minutes, accompanied by three types of chutneys, podi, and sambar. The idli looked decent and tasted good, but we were surprised by the tiny portions of chutney — they weren’t even a spoonful. The vada, unfortunately, wasn’t freshly made; it was microwaved from earlier in the day, and we could clearly taste the oil. Thankfully, they refilled the chutneys, but we had to keep reminding them.

Arya Bhavan Wembley - Ghee Uthapam

The Ghee Uthappam arrived next, and it was quite enjoyable. They also served a sweetcorn soup that came with my Thali, which was decent.

Arya Bhavan Wembley - North Indian Thali

The Thali included Paneer Butter Masala, Aloo Palak, mixed vegetable curry, yellow dal, a small spring roll, three chapatis, a bowl of biryani, a Gulab Jamun, raita, pickle, and papad. The curries were decent overall, but nothing really stood out; I’d say the PBM was the best of the bunch. The chapatis were soft at first but quickly turned kadak. The biryani was extremely spicy and not particularly impressive.

Wifey was still a bit hungry after her Idli, so we decided to order the AB Special Dum Biryani, hoping it would offer something different from what was served with the Thali.

Arya Bhavan Wembley - Special Biryani

To our utter disappointment, it turned out to be the same biryani, just tossed with some mushrooms and paneer. It felt like we were eating the same rice with a few added mushroom and paneer pieces — a big letdown!

Overall, it was a mediocre meal. We came in expecting something similar to Saravana Bhavan, if not better, but it fell far short of those standards. To make matters worse, the service was incredibly slow; we had to keep turning around to get their attention, as they seemed least interested. Additionally, the prices were a wee bit higher than those at the predecessor. I’m not sure if we’ll return, especially with so many better options on Ealing Road.

Food: 7/10
Service: 6/10
Ambiance: 8.5/10
Meal for 3: £41.14

Verdict: 6/10

PS: It turns out that Saravana Bhavan was replaced overnight by the franchise owners without any prior notice, and as a result, they are pursuing a court case over this sudden change.

Farzi London | Restaurant Review

Place: Farzi London
Location: 8 Haymarket
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Sunday, 4 August 2024

I’ve recently downloaded the First Table app on my phone, which offers 50% off deals at restaurants for a minimal fee. To treat MIL before she headed back to India, we decided to dine at a nice, fancy place in central London and found Farzi on the First Table list. We’ve been to Farzi in Hyderabad before; it’s a cozy place serving fusion Indian food, so we were excited to try it here in London.

We booked a table for 8:30 PM on a Sunday night. Upon arriving, we were seated at a table towards the back end of the restaurant. It’s a large venue with two levels of seating. It was sparsely crowded this evening, with about five other tables occupied. Dimly lit, the interior reminded me of the Hyderabad restaurant — cozy and comforting, just the way I like it.

They had a simple menu (nothing fusion about it). As part of the First Table offer, we were required to order drinks for each of us, with no discount, to avail the 50% off the food So we ordered a Mango Cosmo for wifey, Farzi Nimbu Paani for MIL, Chai Lychee for myself, and a Mango and Passion Fruit Lassi for the lil one. We also ordered their Chevre Kebab and Angara Paneer Shaslik as starters. (I actually wanted to try their Okra & Baby-Corn Feet, but they didn’t have it.)

Farzi London | Drinks for the evening

All the drinks were good, and I really liked my Chai Lychee made with lychee juice and coconut milk. I’m a fan of coconut-based drinks, so this was just perfect for my taste. I could taste more mango than passion fruit in the Lassi, but it was equally good.

Farzi London | Dhokla

They served complimentary Dholka pieces, which was an ice gesture. These were soft and decent.

Farzi London | Chevre Kebab

The Chevre Kebab was served soon. It was essentially a chunk of goat cheese fried to perfection. While it was oozing oil, it tasted delicious — after all, what’s not to like about fried cheese?😁.

Farzi London | Paneer Shaslik

The Paneer Shaslik came next — basically paneer tikka with a fancy name. The paneer was really soft and fresh, and perfectly marinated. The sauce was spicy, with a nice sweet tinge as an aftertaste. Another good dish.

While I was satisfied with both starters, I did notice that the portion sizes were pretty small. Considering this, we ordered a Smoked Palak Paneer Handi, a Dal Makhani, a Wild Mushroom & Tender Stem Broccoli Pulao, and a Saffron Pulao, along with a Bread Basket for the main course. I know that this sounds like a lot, but it was perfect for the four of us.

Farzi London | Palak Paneer

I actually wanted to order their Haveli Kofta, but wifey insisted on the Paneer. I’m usually not a fan of Palak Paneer, but I have to say that this was a really good dish. It was smoky, as the name suggests, and the paneer, along with the gravy, just melted in my mouth. I was pleasantly surprised and satisfied.

Farzi London | Dal Makhan

The Dal Makhani was rich and creamy, but it was too tomatoey for my liking.

Farzi London | Bread Basket

The Bread Basket came with a Butter Naan, a Garlic Naan, and a Laccha Paratha. While the Garlic Naan and Paratha were nice and soft, I found the Butter Naan to be too thick.

Apprehensive about the portion sizes, I ordered two rice items, and I’m glad that I did. Additionally, MIL doesn’t eat mushrooms or broccoli, so we needed an alternative anyway.

Farzi London | Mushroom & Broccoli Pulao

The Mushroom and Broccoli Pulao, as the name suggests, came with chunks of wild mushrooms and broccoli stems. It was mild and quite tasty, with pleasant flavors. However, the quantity was again disappointing.

Farzi London | Saffron Pulao

For one fourth the price of the other pulao, the Saffron Pulao was more satisfying. It was nearly the same, just lacking the mushrooms and broccoli (and salt). If there is a next time, I would just order two of these along with another subzi, maybe.

We were pretty stuffed and satisfied, so we did not order any desserts. We also wanted Amorino ice cream, so.

Overall, it was a pretty good meal — better than I had actually anticipated for sometime these fancy restaurants serve fu fu food at exorbitant prices. All the items were tasty, the service was super quick, and the ambiance was neat. I particularly appreciated the attention they paid to us. My only concern was with the portion sizes — like most fancy fine dining restaurants, the quantity of food doesn’t really match the price you are paying. But that’s probably because you’re paying for the fine dining experience. But at least it was tasty!

I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a nice dining experience in central London. And if you are going, don’t forget to get 50% off using First Table.

Food: 8/10
Service: 9./10
Ambiance: 8.5/10
Meal for 4: £92.56 (£6 for booking fee + £29.75 for the drinks + £56.81 for food including service charge and VAT)

Verdict: 8/10

Pappu da Dhaba | Restaurant Review

Place: Pappu da Dhaba
Location: 19 Adelaide Rd, Southall
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Sunday, 28 July 2024

On our way back from Wales, we decided to head to Southall, craving some good Indian food. Our first choice was Delhi Wala, a restaurant we’ve visited recently that serves authentic Punjabi vegetarian food at decent prices. Delhi Wala is definitely on my must-try list in London, and I hope to write a review soon. Unfortunately though, given that it was a Sunday, this place was closing early, and while looking for alternative options, we came across Pappu da Dhaba a little further down the road. I couldn’t be more glad that we found it, for this place is a foodie’s heaven!

This is a super small joint similar to what you’d find in India, nothing fancy. The restaurant had about ten tables, and in one corner, a Sardarji was freshly preparing dishes to order. Thanks to the in-house cooking, the place filled with smoke every time he added a tadka — Pappu da Dhaba is not a restaurant for the faint-hearted😅.

We settled down toward the back, closer to the cooking range (as it was the only table available). The tables were a bit small and crammed, covered with old plastic tablecloths. While it was a bit suffocating, there was a cooler fan facing us, which made things more bearable. However, I didn’t really care about any of this because the food being cooked smelled amazing, and I couldn’t wait to try it. We ordered the standard Paneer Butter Masala and Malai Kofta with some Tawa Roti and Naan.

In a few minutes, a large plate of salad with onions, cucumber, carrots, and radish was placed on our table. A squeeze of lemon, and I was ready to dig in!

All the dishes arrived at once, and because of the small table size, we struggled to fit everything on it, but we managed somehow.

Pappu da Dhaba - Malai Kofta

The Malai Kofta tasted delicious. The mixed vegetable kofta balls were soft and tender, melting in the mouth. The gravy had the perfect consistency; however, I felt it was a little too tangy for my liking. Despite this, it was a great dish overall.

Pappu da Dhaba - Paneer Butter Masala

The true winner, however, was the PBM. The paneer pieces were soft and fresh, making each bite a delight. The gravy was one of the best I’ve had in recent times — rich, creamy, and incredibly smooth. Every bite. was bursting with flavor, making it an absolute treat for the taste buds. It was simply yummilicious and left a lasting impression. (My mouth is watering just thinking about it!)

The Roti was soft and decent, while the Butter Naan was a bit too thick for my liking. However, I had no issues with the Garlic Naan I ordered for myself.

To further enjoy the gravies, we ordered some Jeera Rice. It was served soon, and tasted yum, although the cumin seeds were a tad burnt. But again, I was in no mood to criticize, as I was indulging in it with the delightful PBM.

We ordered a Lassi to finish things off, and a large Patiala glass full was served, reminiscent of the style at Punjabi Affair in Hyderabad. It was thick, not too sweet, and just perfect to our liking.

Overall, it was an excellent meal, albeit a small one. Both curries were outstanding, with the Paneer Butter Masala making a lasting impression on my palate. The service was friendly and super quick. Despite the passable ambiance, this is a gem of a place. I’ll definitely be dining here often!

Food: 9.5/10
Service: 9.5/10
Ambiance: 7/10
Meal for 4: £31.00

Verdict: 9/10

P.S. I did come back to Pappu da Dhaba within a week, this time with a few friends who feasted on their Butter Chicken, which they said was very good. I ordered the Paneer Butter Masala again, along with some Chilli Garlic Mushrooms.

The PBM was excellent, as expected. The mushrooms were also super tasty — perfectly cooked and sautéed in a tangy sauce. I was initially apprehensive about ordering them, but they did not disappoint.

I’m sure you’ll be seeing more versions of Pappu da Dhaba on my blog, and I hope it always lives up to expectations!

Mandarin Chinese | Restaurant Review

Place: Mandarin Chinese Restaurant
Location: 9 Joel St, Northwood Hills
Cuisine: Chinese
Meal: Dinner (with wifey and our lil one)
On: Saturday, 20 July 2024

We pass by Mandarin very often as it is very close to our house but never ventured in because the place looks quite fancy from the outside. Another reason is that it is usually deserted except for a couple of occupied tables at any given time. Nevertheless, braving it, we finally walked in on a Saturday evening.

As expected, the place was almost empty, with just another family seated, so we settled down in the opposite corner. Dimly lit with nice decor, the ambiance is quite good and gives the vibe of an upscale fine dining restaurant. They offered to bring us some prawn crackers the moment we sat down, but we declined, mentioning that we were vegetarians (they did not have alternatives).

To start things off, we ordered Lettuce Wrap with Minced Vegetable, a portion of vegetarian dumplings, and a Tom Yum soup.

Mandarin Lettuce Wrap with Minced Vegetable

Served on a bed of fried noodles, the vegetable mince tasted really good. Along with the tangy and sweet soy-based sauce, these wraps were delicious and definitely some of the best I’ve had in recent times.

Mandarin - Tom Yum Soup

On the contrary, the soup was not to our liking. It was too thin, and I thought it had a bit too much lemongrass, making it overly sour. I also didn’t like the choice of parboiled vegetables in it — the tomatoes tasted too raw, and so did the mushrooms.

Mandarin - Dumplings

The dumplings came next in a steam basket. While they tasted alright, I thought the portion size was really small — just four, and very small in size. I gulped them in one bite.

For mains, we ordered Battered Cauliflower with Sweet & Sour Sauce along with some Mix Veg Chowmein and Fried Rice with Mixed Vegetable.

It took a while for the food to be brought out, which was quite frustrating, especially given that they had so few patrons to attend to. Anyhow, the cauliflower arrived first, but they got our order wrong. Instead of presenting it as a main dish with sauce, they brought the starter version. We sent it back immediately.

Mandarin - Chowmein

A little while later, the noodles were served. They tasted decent and were the typical Chowmein you’d expect at a Chinese restaurant — loaded with vegetables and noodles tossed in a tangy sauce. However, I was again appalled by the portion size, as it wasn’t even enough for two servings.

Mandarin - Fried Rice

The rice arrived soon in a small bowl. This tasted better than the noodles and tbh, the best item of the dinner thus far. It had seasoning and flavour were just perfect.

Mandarin - Battered Cauliflower with Sweet & Sour Sauce

And finally, the cauliflower was served. This was supposed to be in a sweet and sour sauce but the sauce was so sweet that we couldn’t take more than a bite. I informed the waiter about this and they said it was usually sweet. I requested them to modify it if possible, adding a little more spice. Thankfully, they offered to replace the dish, and I now asked for it in Kung Pao sauce rather than the sweet and sour.

Mandarin - Battered Cauliflower with Kung Pao Sauce

This arrived in a few minutes and tasted much better. The Kung Pao had a nice flavor, but I am not sure if they used the same cauliflower, as some of the pieces still tasted sweet. We finished most of our noodles and rice by the time this arrived, so ironically, we ended up eating it more like a starter than a main dish!

Overall, it was a mediocre meal. Except for the Lettuce Wraps and Fried Rice, everything else was passable. The service was too slow, and the portion sizes were unappealing. They probably aimed for it to be a fine dining restaurant with such small portions, but neither the locale nor the food quality justifies the pricing and portions. I honestly wondered how they are still keeping the place afloat with so few diners and the restaurant being empty on most occasions. Anyway, we ended up spending quite a bit, and I wasn’t even full or satisfied with the meal. First and last meal at Mandarin!

Food: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Ambiance: 8.5/10
Meal for 4: £48.00

Verdict: 6.5/10

A2B London (Rayners Lane) | Restaurant Review

Place: A2B London
Location: 424, Alexandra Avenue, Rayners Lane
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Saturday, 13 July 2024

A2B, or Adyar Ananda Bhavan, is another South Indian restaurant we frequent along with Saravanaa Bhavan and MTR – it is usually a choice between these three when we decide to head out for dinner on a weekday. Located bang opposite Saravanaa Bhavan on Rayners Lane, A2B is a Tamilian eatery serving traditional (mostly) South Indian and North Indian cuisine.

The restaurant’s space is spacious and brightly lit, managed by an all-woman team on the floor. It was packed on this particular Saturday evening, and we had to wait about ten minutes before we settled down at a booth next to the billing counter.

We ordered two North Indian Thali (or A2B special as they call it) for myself and wifey, a plate of Idli and Vada for my mother-in-law, Set Dosa with Vada curry for our little one, and one-by-two Tomato Soup, and Mushroom Soup for the table. They had a special menu this evening, and we ordered a Veg. Cutlet from that.

A2b - Idli Vada

The Idly and Vada were served first, in less than five minutes. I didn’t taste them, but I observed that while the Vada was decent, the Idly was quite thick. MIL echoed this sentiment — she wasn’t so happy with the Idly.

A2B - Soup

Next, the soups were served. We’ve had their Mushroom Soup in the past and really liked it, and it didn’t disappoint today either. Creamy, with chunks of sautéed mushrooms, it was delicious. The Tomato Soup was equally delightful — again, creamy and well-seasoned, it was just perfect. Our lil one liked this better than the Mushroom Soup, mainly because of the croutons.😁

A2B - Set Dosa

The Set dosa was served next and was decent.

A2B - Cutlet

Their special Cutlet wasn’t bad either. It was a crispy, golden-brown patty, and the mashed vegetable filling was a bit on the spicy side but still good.

A2B - North Indian Thali

The thali came with a couple of pieces of Gobi Manchurian, Paneer Butter Masala, Mixed Veg., Dal, some Biryani, a Butter Naan, curd, pickle, and papad. For some reason, I remembered them serving another curry (Channa Masala) on our previous visit, but when I inquired, I was told that this wasn’t the case. However, they did mention that the katori sizes of everything apart from the PBM were smaller, and they offered to get us more of everything.

On taste front, the PBM was very good – the paneer was fresh and soft, and the gravy had a sweet tinge in typical south Indian style. The Mixed Veg and Dal were decent. The Naan was soft, just the way I like it. I believe they served their special biryani on the thali today (which isn’t usually the case), but I wasn’t complaining. Made in ghee, with loads of cashews and chunky vegetables, this is one of their best offerings and tasted delicious.

We were pretty much full after the meal, but wifey and lil one wanted some dessert. We asked for recommendations, and they suggested the special Fruit Falooda, so we ordered one.

A2B - Special Falooda

The way they described it, it sounded delicious. But to our disappointment, it was a rose syrup-laden, super sweet falooda with some cut fruits and raisins, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It was so sweet that we couldn’t even finish half of it.

Overall, it was a decent meal apart from the disastrous Falooda to finish. The Thali and soup were the best dishes of the evening. I’d also recommend the A2B Special Biryani. The ambiance is alright, and the service can seem a tad slow at times, with the team often appearing disorganized. However, they serve with a smile, which makes a difference.

If you haven’t tried it yet, I would definitely suggest you visit Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B) the next time you are craving some South Indian fare.

Food: 8/10
Service: 7.5/10
Ambiance: 7.5/10
Meal for 4: £47.80

Verdict: 7.5/10

Here’s my lil one talking about the soup!

Three Falcons | Restaurant Review

Place: Three Falcons Restaurant
Location: 1 Orchardson St, near Lords Cricket Ground
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family and friends)
On: Saturday, 15 June 2024

Influenced by the many Instagram reels, we decided to drive into London on a bright Saturday evening to try this pub/Indian restaurant. Initially, it was just our family, so we called ahead and made a reservation for four at 8:00 PM.

Upon arrival, although we had a table, it was a high stool one positioned right next to the door. We requested a different spot, but were informed that a large gathering had occupied most of the space and we’d be moved to a better table once the group left. Reluctantly, we settled in.

The restaurant had a dimly lit ambiance reminiscent of a traditional English pub, but it was quite small, with about 10-12 tightly packed tables. The Euros were playing on the TV, and a few patrons were at the bar enjoying the football.

To start, we ordered the Jodhpuri Mirchi Vada and Malai Broccoli.

The Mirchi Vada arrived in about ten minutes — four peppers stuffed with potato filling, topped with sev and murmura. It tasted good, though I would have preferred it a bit spicier.

The broccoli was moist and perfectly cooked, though I found the malai to be lacking and the portion size a bit small.

While we were enjoying our starters, a couple of friends nearby decided to join us. We requested a larger table, and luckily, as the large group had just left, we were moved to a more spacious spot in the center.

With more people joining, we ordered the Punjabi Samosa Chaat and Murg Angara Tikka (for our non-vegetarian friend). We also got drinks: a coke and a juice for the little one.

The Samosa Chaat was quite good, probably the best of the starters.

Our friend enjoyed the chicken, saying it had just the right level of spice.

For the mains, we ordered Shahi Paneer, Kadai Soya, and Dal Makhani, accompanied by Tandoori Roti and Garlic Naan. We also tried their special Seeti Biryani.

The Shahi Paneer was flavorful, with soft, fresh paneer and a well-prepared gravy. Unfortunately, the Kadai Soya was disappointing — the gravy was too coarse and tasted more like a bhartha. The Dal Makhani was the best of the lot — creamy, rich, and delicious. The naan was decent, though the roti was a bit too hard for my liking.

Next came the special Seeti Biryani, which made quite an entrance. As it was served, it drew attention from the entire room. It was essentially a vegetable biryani cooked in a pressure cooker (like we often do at home), served with raita, papad, and salad. The waiter pulled the seeti (whistle) at the table, making a loud noise and turning heads. Taste-wise, it was flavorful with plenty of vegetables, though my wife found it a bit bland. Paired with the Dal Makhani, it tasted just right.

While debating whether to order dessert, the floor manager, a Telugu speaker, treated us to their Gulab Jamun Cheesecake and Rasmalai. I loved the cheesecake — it had a lovely texture with a distinct jamun flavor in every bite. The Rasmalai, however, was just okay.

Overall, the meal was decent, with the dal being the standout. Service was hit-or-miss; we barely received any attention until we moved tables, but it improved significantly afterward. The cramped seating was also an issue.

The biggest disappointment, however, was the pricing. While I expected it to be expensive, I was hoping for better value. Apart from the biryani (which cost £25 and wasn’t worth it), most of the portions were either small or just adequate. Even fine dining restaurants in central London, like Farzi or Dishoom, didn’t seem this pricey — and we were in a pub! They seem to be banking on their Instagram fame, but I honestly don’t think it’s justified. Bottom line: Three Falcons is a pub/restaurant with a mediocre ambiance, serving decent food at exorbitant prices.

Food: 8/10
Service: 7/10
Ambiance: 7/10
Meal for 6: £181.97

Verdict: 7/10

PS: I don’t mind spending money, but I’d rather go to a fine dining restaurant to make it an experience. Spending about 180 quid at a pub for food is just not worth it and offers no value for money.

MTR 1924 London | Restaurant Review

Place: MTR 1924 London
Location: 3 Village Way E, Rayners Lane
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)

We’ve been dining at MTR for over a year now, and this post has been long pending. So, here’s a culmination of most of our visits.

For South Indian fare, everyone talks about Saravanaa Bhavan or A2B, but not much about this gem of a place. While the former restaurants originate in Tamil Nadu, MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Room) is a Karnataka-based franchise, serving authentic Kannadiga tiffins. MTR is an everyday brand for almost every South Indian, thanks to its ready-made/packaged food (not related to the restaurant anymore).

A bit of gyan here: South India has five states, and while most of us eat Idli and Dosa (among other dishes), each state has its own regional style. “Tiffin” (not to be confused with the confectionery here in the UK) is not a box, but a small meal or snack. We South Indians usually have tiffins like Dosa and Idli for breakfast. It is not typically a full meal unless you eat more than one or multiple tiffins.

Back to MTR, they have two branches in London: a dine-in restaurant in Rayner’s Lane and a take-away only joint on Kenton Road. We frequent the Rayner’s Lane MTR at least once a month. It’s a small, brightly lit restaurant with about 12 tables and a decent ambiance.

Let’s now talk about food!

MTR Rava Idli

Rava Idli, a dish invented by MTR back in the 1940s, is their trademark dish. Served with coconut chutney and vegetable curry (known as sagu), this steamed semolina rice cake is a typical Kannadiga dish. While I’ve had better in India, this one is still a decent dish.

MTR Vada

Their Vada is one of the best you can get in London. Crisp on the outside yet soft on the inside, it literally melts in your mouth.

MTR Sambar Vada Sambar Vada is another perfect dish. Delicious!

MTR Masala Dosa

Their Masala Dosa is a little different from those at the Tamilian joints I mentioned earlier, but it is in a league of its own.

MTR - Benne Masala Dosa

Benne Masala Dosa is their most popular dish. Made with generous amounts of fresh butter, this is similar to Masala Dosa, but is smaller in size, and a bit thicker. What’s not to like when they is so much butter? 😁

MTR Poori

I love their Poori as well for they are really soft and light, and served with vegetable sagu.

MTR Onion Rava Masala Dosa

My usual favorite, however, is their Onion Rava Masala Dosa. While all other dosas are typically made with rice batter, this one contains more semolina (rava) and is much larger and thinner (Also, this is probably the only item where one serving fills my tummy 😜).

Bisi Bele Bhath and Khara Bhath are some other popular dishes that I love. Our lil one loves their Cheese Dosa which is super yummy. They also serve specials on different days of the week, for example, Mini Tiffins on Tuesdays and Akki Roti and Mirchi Bajji on Fridays. While I like all of these, their Mini Tiffins deserve a special callout as you get to taste small portions of their main delicacies.

MTR Badam Milk

They also serve hot and cold Badam Milk, but I’m a fan of their latter. Not too sweet, it is just perfect for my liking.

MTR Kesari Bath

For those with a sweet tooth, I recommend the Badam Halwa, although their Kesar Bath is equally good.

Overall, MTR 1924 is a hidden gem and a must-try for anyone who loves South Indian tiffins. While the place is run by Gujaratis, the kitchen is maintained by Kannadigas who bring authentic taste to all their dishes. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and the place is always impeccably clean, which adds to the overall dining experience. The service is super quick, and the staff is courteous, attentive, and always ready to help with recommendations. However, my only concern is that while the food usually lives up to our expectations, there are times when a few dishes are underwhelming. But thankfully, this is rare, and we usually leave with a happy tummy. The fact that it is easy on the pocket makes this a must-visit.

PS: Don’t expect this place to serve any North Indian delicacies and dishes like other South Indian joints do. They only serve tiffins (which means limited menu offerings), and that is what makes this place authentic.

Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambiance: 9/10
Meal for 1: £8 – £12

Verdict: 9/10

Bombay Chow Brasserie Northwood | Restaurant Review

Place: Bombay Chow Brasserie Northwood
Location: Haste Hill Golf Club, Northwood
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Saturday, 27 April 2024

Bombay Chow has been on my list for a while, but I was saving it for a special occasion. Come MIL’s birthday in April, we finally decided to visit on a bright Saturday afternoon.

Tucked inside a golf course, Bombay Chow is a fancy, upscale restaurant with pleasant decor and well-designed interiors. The restaurant provides easy access to the course, so we noticed several patrons walking in after their game. We settled into a cozy corner, seated on a comfortable sofa.

Although Bombay Chow brands itself as Indo-Chinese, their menu leans more toward Indian cuisine. Apart from one starter, we opted for an all-Indian selection. We ordered Kung Pao Lotus Root and Charred Malai Broccoli for starters, followed by Banarasi Kofta, Dal Bukhara, and an assortment of breads: Bombay Chow Kulcha, Garlic Naan, Tandoori Roti, along with Veg Biryani to complete the meal.

While waiting for our food, the manager graciously offered us a complimentary spicy mango mocktail. It was delicious! My daughter accidentally spilled half of it, and to our surprise, they brought us a fresh one. They really didn’t have to, but it was a lovely gesture of hospitality.

The Lotus Root was served in about ten minutes, and it was absolutely perfect. The Kung Pao sauce was tangy yet not too overpowering, complementing the tender lotus root perfectly. It was a great start to our meal!

The broccoli was served soon after, and it was good as well. However, a couple of pieces were a bit dry. Thinking about it now, a little more sauce or malai would have helped this dish stand out.

The main course was served after a short while. I had read a few reviews online stating that their portion sizes are small for the price, but I beg to differ, as I found them decent.

The Banarasi Kofta was the highlight of our meal, with its creamy gravy and soft kofta balls. The gravy was rich and full of flavor, among the best I’ve had in recent times. I loved it so much that I licked the bowl at the end of our meal! Yummy!!

The Dal Bukhara was also enjoyable, creamy and smoky with a hint of garlic—just what you’d expect from a perfect dal.

Garlic Naan

Of the breads, the Kulcha was the standout: soft, paneer-stuffed, and a perfect companion to the kofta. The Garlic Naan and Tandoori Roti were good as well.

The biryani, served last, didn’t disappoint either. Loaded with vegetables, it was bursting with flavor. That said, the portion size felt a bit small considering the price.

Overall, an excellent meal. After reading so much about this place, it definitely did not disappoint. Service was really good; again, I was super impressed when they replaced the spilled complimentary drink. With perfect ambiance, it’s a great place for a nice party or even an everyday dinner. And contrary to what I thought, the place is actually easy on the pocket. I’ve already recommended this place to tons of friends and colleagues, and I think you should try it too!

P.S. I enjoyed Bombay Chow so much that we ordered their PBM, Kofta, Naan, and Biryani the following week. While the food was good, it wasn’t quite as exceptional as our dine-in experience. Hopefully, this was a one-off, and we’ll have a better experience next time.

Food: 9/10
Service: 9.5/10
Ambiance: 8.5/10
Meal for 4: £72.17

Verdict: 9/10 (Considering our takeaway experience as well)