Dishoom Shoreditch — Restaurant in London

I read a review from five years ago and it seems the place is much the same. Certainly didn't live up to the hype with all the reviews and 45 minute wait. This is my first time to London and have heard great things about the Indian food here and if I didn't mind the wait... this place was well worth it. Sadly it isn't.

I arrived early to get on the list and they handed me a glass of sherry. It was odd because someone outside takes your name and then directs you inside to get a pager. I went inside and it was the same procedure all over again; even though the person outside took my name, the hostess seemed oblivious and asked for my name and how many in party again. I was given a pager and told I could wait in the bar area and she pointed to that area. No sooner did I place one step into the bar area when someone with a headset grabbed my arm and told me "no no no" and pointed to a separate area next to the bar where I could wait. Everyone seemed to be herded into this area with very limited counter space and even fewer stools. I managed to find space at a shared counter and struck up a nice conversation with some people at the counter.

They serve drinks and appetizers in this area but getting someone take your order is a challenge. Oddly, a server took the order of every at the counter where I was standing but skipped me. After she came back and dropped off their drinks and appetizers, she again, walked away without even acknowledging my presence. I walked over and asked if I could place and order and in the most snide tone possible, she said she would get to me and told me to go back to the counter. She never did come back but ultimately someone did come.

For starters we I had an old fashioned and we shared the Chili Chicken. The old fashioned was good but instead of an orange peel, it was served with some sort of leaf. Not sure what the leaf was for. An old fashion is a very traditional drink and I don't know why you would mix it up with anything else. The Chili Chicken was nice but it came by itself. It would have been nice with some pita chips or something to put it on. But by itself, I don't recommend.

We waited the 45 minutes for our table and right after being seated, they seemed to expect us to place our order right away. We took a few minutes to check the menu and they seem to come by every 30 seconds asking to take our order. Ultimately, we felt pressured to order and went with the Chicken Tikka and Masala Prawns, Garlic Naan and Basmati Rice. They were pretty quick about preparing the food; the shrimp came on a cold plate. Although they are charred, when we got them they were quite cold and a bit chewy. The Chicken Tikka was okay, but a little dry and not much flavor. The Garlic Naan was more like plain naan. The rice was fresh but nothing special. I was visiting London to see a friend and we were trying to enjoy a good conversation. But it was painfully clear they want to turn over tables as quickly as possible. I did note there is an incredible line that never seems to get smaller, but why should we cut out dining experience short?

We were asked so many times if we were finished even though it was clear we had not finished our meals. Finally, someone different came over, interrupted our conversation and even put her hands on our plates asking if we were finished. Again, it was clear they were going to be relentless and not let us enjoy the rest of our evening. So, we let them clear our table and then they asked us if we wanted dessert. I had the cinnamon ice cream which was probably the best part of the evening.

Overall, it was simply average, but mostly disappointing given all I have heard about the great Indian food in London. I'm sure there are some good Indian restaurants but this isn't...

Long review ahead! So let’s talk about Dishoom. But first a disclaimer - I’m an absolute novice at this cuisine. This place showed up on many must try lists accompanied with warnings of often very long queues. We basically couldn’t get a reservation after 5:45 but the website cheerfully announced that walk-ins were welcome. Given the particularly inclement weather that night the two of us thought we just might catch a break. I guess Londoners, like New Yorkers, are hard core when it comes to trendy food. There was a decent line the length of their covered walk to the front door - maybe about 10-15 people. There is a person to check you in at the head of the line who cheerfully estimated 55 minutes (!). Thankfully the line moved quickly (probably since they were mostly in bigger groups). A few more points about the service even before stepping inside. There was a gentleman walking down the line serving small cups with warm chai or alchy drink - which the gals in front took the last of but he was happy to get for us except by then we reached the front of the line anyway. Second, there’s a gap between the covered walk and the actual entrance - because the rain resumed and was starting to fall between the gap (less than a foot), he held the door open and held up an umbrella while we entered. Wow. Needless to say the service inside was just as gracious and warm. Once inside, we were handed a beeper for part 2 of the wait but this time we could settle in at the bar. Started with a Bollybellini for her and a Botanist gin and tonic for me. Bellini tasted delicious - slightly fruity and light. The Botanist is hard to find so I was glad they had it. It was served with a separate mini bottle of tonic water - fancy. Paid for it using the beeper number so they could link it to the final bill - smart. After what really felt quick due to everything to see and watching the skillful bartenders craft the drinks, we got buzzed and was taken to our table which was downstairs. We got seated at a small two seater by a column in a somewhat crowded area. There was an open kitchen area down there too. The service was so friendly and helpful with suggestions and answers to our many questions. We ordered the lamb samosa and chili chicken for apps and for our mains, the chicken berry Britannia and prawn Pathia. We ended up ordering a side of roomali roti (but got what I think was just plain naan) which was unnecessary. The server brought out a trio of chutneys which I think they also sell bottled. The samosa was freshly made and was delightful dumpling. The chili chicken, a play on a Chinese-inspired flavors, was just ok - kind of dry and not particularly memorable. The prawns were so flavorful and the roomali roti it came with - a thin but stretchy wrap - was so good. It was like a flour tortilla but lighter. And lastly, the Biryani (my wife’s first time trying) was out of this world amazing! It was a savory pot full of basmati rice, cranberries, and chicken. All washed down with some Kingfisher beer and their house IPA - it was more than just a spectacular meal, it was...

Pre booked table for 2 people online for December lunchtime 12.30. Easy to do and table ready on arrival. Restaurant was very busy so do recommend booking if you can. Bustling atmosphere.. quite dark.  Small tables and close together. Prompt attention and lovely welcome by the people looking after our table.  The menu was explained.. along with the drinks.. when you order food and it will be cooked and brought to the table as it is done. A mostly sharing affair, which is good. We opted for 3 small plates,  the chilli cheese toast, Vada Pau, and chilli chicken.. I do like a bit of chilli heat.  We also wanted the special they do at this particular restaurant, being the prawn pathia. After our drinks arrived we explained we wanted the 3 small plates and would order more later (being the prawn dish,  as its a small table and wanted to take our time and not rush everything or have things go cold) we were advised to order the prawn dish at the same time... this was a mistake... exactly what we didn't want to happen happened.. the 3 small plates turning up.. along with the prawn pathia... not less than 1 minute later . annoying 😑 There wasn't room on the table, so we had to put all cheese toasts on our plates and pile the chilli chicken dishes on top. The prawn dish was then barely warm when we got to eat it.  😔 The chilli toast was great and up there with what I've eaten in Mumbai.. nice heat and rich cheese.  Chilli chicken was good.. and the Vadu pau... whilst the top of the roll was a little dry and crispy flavour wise, very nice.. and the 3 sauces they give you are excellent. Complimenting everything. With our mouths tingling with chilli heat, we started on the prawn dish.  The prawns were excellent.. Big and charred ... the rich smokey tomato sauce..delicious and the bread thin and perfect for scooping up the sauce and onion salad.. if only we hadn't been advised to order it at the same time as the small plates... it was a top dish.. but wish we had been able to eat it freshly cooked and hot from the table and not having sat there getting cold whilst we ate the other items. I would highly recommend and can see why people love it and would certainly return... but since all dishes were on the table with incredible speed after putting in the order...  I would hold fire on ordering the chefs special  until after I've finished the small plates.. Loved it.. and would've have been 5 stars all round had we not been ill advised to order everything at the same time. Everything was a flavour bomb.. and the atmosphere is good.. delicious...my coat smelt of onions and spices for days...