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.
