Today it’s time for brunch at Dishoom. Based on the old Irani cafes of Bombay which were opened last century by Zoroastrian immigrants from Iran. These cafes were the first places in Bombay where people of any culture, class or religion could come together over food and drink. There were almost four hundred of them at their peak in the 1960s, now fewer than 30 of them remain there.
There are eight in the UK (five in London) and we’re heading for Soho to Dishoom Carnaby. As the name suggests, it’s just off Carnaby Street in the heart of Soho, one of my favourite London areas. So happy to be dining there again. Once again it was al fresco dining as I visited before the latest step out of Lockdown and I managed to nab a table under shelter from the inevitable rain. We’re having a dreadful May weatherise. Anyway, at least we can go out to eat and I am still mega-appreciative of being able to eat food I haven’t cooked myself.
What’s on the menu
More sharing plates today, starting from the Small Plates section of the menu. Keema pau is a classic of Irani cafes. The spicy minced lamb and peas mix had a real chilli bite and was served with a toasted, buttered homemade bun. Soft and slightly sweet, perfect for topping with the lamb.
Then bowl of chilli chicken. Beautifully crispy with flavours of garlic, ginger, soya and chilli. Tasty morsels of crunch.
We completed our selection with a platter of gunpowder potatoes. Potatoes with brown skins are smokey grilled, broken apart and then tossed with butter, crushed aromatic seeds and green herbs. And served with a bowl of refreshing yogurt sauce. I love a gunpowder potato and these were a real masterpiece.
Dishoom is known for its fabulous naan so we had to have a garlic version served with minced garlic and coriander sprinkle. Soft and warm, straight out of the oven. Delightful.
All served with three little bowls of fab Indian sauces.
I love a chai (drank ample amounts of them in India) so I couldn’t resist ordering the House Chai. Lovely and spicy – and never-ending – our lovely waiter kept topping up my glass and even offered me another one to take away. Which I couldn’t refuse. Any excuse to take a bit of Dishoom away with me.
Today’s price point
Our brunch for two which included the dishes above and bottomless house chai came to £27.
Dishoom Carnaby is at 22 Kingly Street, Soho, W1.
