Dishoom Shoreditch, 7 Boundary Street, London E2 7JE

The attention to detail is amazing © Photograph Sim Canetty-Clarke

To be honest, when I heard Dishoom were opening a new restaurant in Shoreditch I wasn’t as excited as I hoped to be. Basically Shoreditch is not my kind of place, a bit too young, noisy and trendy for me. I was hoping they’d open somewhere else, Spitalfields or Smithfield perhaps, anywhere else that begins with an S.

However from the moment we walked through those huge gates on Boundary Street and up through the outside terrace we were smitten. This isn’t the Shoreditch that makes me want to flee to the comfort and sanctuary of my own home, this is actually quite calm, buzzy but not too much. Plus this is Dishoom, the place where we can always be guaranteed a good meal. One of the only place that we have both adored every single morsel of food that has gone into our mouths.

Another fan of Dishoom’s amazing food!

Each area takes inspiration from actual Irani cafes © Photograph Sim Canetty-Clarke

Typical of Dishoom, a lot of time, effort has gone into this site. Research that involved painfully trailing around Irani cafes in Bombay. Very 1930’s, the huge gorgeous Art Deco style clock is simply stunning. Around very corner is something to discover, a very cool place indeed.

Lots of bread for not much dough…

Downstairs is the open kitchen with canteen style tables, similar to Nopi. This is where I would choose to sit above anywhere else, watching the guy make Roti bread. Next time…

Very different to the original on Upper St Martin’s Lane in Covent Garden, one of our all-time favourite restaurants. A place when we enter we feel like we’re coming home, despite having never set food in India in all our lives. That’s the Dishoom magic for you.

So minted…

How cool is this? Their own beer!

We went along to the launch, with canapés a plenty and an endless array of cocktails. Often launches can leave you hungry and all there is to drink is champagne. But this was no ordinary party, this was a Dishoom party. A vast choice of gorgeous cocktails from Flips, Gimlets, Juleps and Sours, Fizzes, even a Negroni. A night in the Permit Room (otherwise known as the bar) could be very dangerous indeed.

Far Far: Lemony, salty, crunchy wonderfulness

They even have their very own beer, The Dishoom Pale Ale, specially brewed for them by Hackney’s Beavertown Brewery.

Taking advantage of the two-week long 50% off soft opening offer, I returned the following night with a fellow food-loving friend, Farzana. Everyone else had the same idea so we had a long wait, about two hours. The longest either of us have ever waited to eat but we didn’t mind at all as we knew it’d be worth it. It was SO worth it.

This was one of those rare meals where you are so excited by the food you can’t decide whether to gobble it up or savour it. I woke the next morning still excited by what we’d eaten and eager to return. If only there were enough days in the week, or money in the bank to get to restaurants we’ve yet to visit, let alone return to ones we love.

Lamba Raana ding-dong

Not sure who this Chole Chewal is but she sure is tasty!

I don’t really like lamb and would never order it, unless in Dishoom. Their Lamb Raan Bun, Juicy, slow-cooked pulled lamb, piled up in a soft sourdough bun. Served with Dishoom Slaw, sali crisp-chips, and fried green chillies £12.50. Perhaps a playful nod to London’s burger craze. A super soft airy bun with pulled lamb with cute little chip crisps on the side., it tasted amazing.

The Chole-Chewal, spiced chickpeas in home-style sauce with fragrant steamed rice. £7.90 was pure joy, a steaming bowl of warming comfort food.. Perfect scooped up with Roomali Roti. So simple yet so tasty.

Farzana’s Masala Prawns £10.50 prawns were incredible too, juicy and smoky. Of course we had the Calamari £5.20, the most wonderful calamari I have ever tasted in that sweet genius coating. Another must-have is Bhel, puffed rice, Bombay Mix and nylon sev tossed with fresh pomegranate, tomato, onion, lime, tamarind, mint £3.90.

We were stuffed to the brim and let ourselves down by opting out of dessert, there is always room for Chai though. No trip to Dishoom is complete without a glass of this warming spicy goodness.

Not content with being just a restaurant, Dishoom also has a bakery in-house too, unfortunately only in the day time. From Nankhatai cookies to the Bun Maska, we are desperate to get down one day for some of these delights. We’ve never eaten Indian baked goods and they all sound incredible, would expect nothing less from Dishoom.

www.dishoom.com/shoreditch/

7 Boundary Street, London E2 7JE
Tel: 020 7420 9324
OPENING HOURS: Monday – Sunday 9am – 11pm.

Click here to book (for groups of six or more)

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Nearest tube: Shoreditch High Street

Knock, knock, knocking on heaven’s door… or rather gate

**Celebrate Diwali at both Dishooms on SUNDAY 11^th NOVEMBER with a fun-filled day of story-telling, feasting, face-painting and pavement art.**