Papa-dum — Restaurant in London

This stretch of road houses many little restaurants in an ambient setting, which takes you out of the hustle and bustle of city life; and brings a moment of peace.

The restaurant itself is compact, the inside dining is small (probably houses about 15 people) and the outside probably houses around 20 people. I was sitting outside and almost felt I was holiday as the city personality infuses with international guests.

The food it self is pricey and being Indian myself, I found my locals restaurants to be way cheaper and better spiced and quality food. It is London and an experience, but I didn’t find it worth it in any way. They pride themselves with being a street food brand so I went with the street food menu which is the top half.

I started with the Pani Puri which was balanced well, good crunch as expected. Not spectacular but a nice start. The puri mix was well received and I’d happily have it again!

Next came the Aloo Papdi and Vegetable Samaosa. The Aloo Papdi was nice, had a good mix of texture, crunch and a cooling temperature. I do like spice, could taste it but didn’t feel the heat. It was ok but not spectacular. The samosa was more flaky to eat and the sweet sauce it was served with had heat. The range was spice was mid range.

The masala chips were just that but I was impressed they managed to have some crisp to them. They are heavy coated in masala and the dry spice mix but again, I didn’t find it too strong.

The Indian Fried Chicken was extremely crispy. The dry rub however was far too much. It dried your mouth out and over powered. A bit of delicacy would be appreciated with the flavour but I guess it’s a dish that makes you buy more drinks.

Finally the Chicken Shami Kebeb was a disaster. Should be improved or removed from the menu. It’s a squashed chicken patty with a lot of dry rub and chillies thrown in. It just didn’t make sense and shouldn’t be there. They’ve had a mare with this one.

The service was not up to any standard I’d expect and did ask the service charge to be removed at the end which was deducted with no issues. The waiter forgot to bring us the drinks menu when we first arrived and said he’ll bring it over after we ordered our food. He didn’t come back and found it hard to get his attention. After 30mins and my friends mouth burning from the dry spice mix we had to go inside to order the drinks ourselves. I’m not exaggerating but 25mins later we had finally tracked our waiter down and asked where the drink was. He told us an ingredient had run out and had to make it fresh again for the drink. He was good at ‘talking’ but I don’t buy some of the things he was saying. 15mins later the drink arrived as we finished up eating. The other waiter did seem more engaged so maybe it was this one waiter who had one forgetful service.

All in all I wouldn’t come here again, the service and food just wasn’t great. There are plenty of other options on the street so would try those. Price points ain’t an issue if the food is good to great with a top notch atmosphere and this is where it...

Polling day on Thursday and so my son's school was closed so we decided to have a family day out in London. Little man is 5 years old and a little picky so we stick to places he is happy to eat, Pizza Express usually. We usually eat with him but as we were out and about we stumbled on this place around the corner from PE.

Wife has a nut allergy and so we need to be mindful with Indian places but owner/manager came out and assured us that apart from most deserts its a nut free kitchen...nice. Like the other staff he attentive and friendly.

We sat out side as it was warm (rare occasion). The food is styled, presented and portioned likely and they have a decent collection of cocktails, mocktails and softs. The food was ok, Mrs had a Grilled Chicken (See image) and I had a Thali, and got an extra Garlic Naan to share. Whilst the tandoori didn't have the intense flavour of charcoal and tandoor it was fine. The masala chips were decent and the mint sauce was nice too but the Gun powder potatoes were a bit lacking in flavour due to being boiled first. That Thali was ok, good choice and everything tasted different, Keema was the best. The Gulab Jamun was lavely!

I had a masala chai after and for me it was a little too peppery but its a personal thing. For where you are, what you get in terms of flavour, portion and cost its a good place to grab something to eat and go on. Wouldn't really say its a place you would go for a meal out to, you would go before heading somewhere else...if that makes sense.

Decent never the less and would recommend if you're near Oxford Circus and want an Indian meal with traditional Indian food, nice selection of drinks...worth checking out.

Best things - Service, Setting, Keema Curry, Portion Size Worst thing - Gunpowder potatoes lacked a bang!

Meats are halal and its nut and cash free...

A Flavorful Journey Through Indian Delights

I recently had the pleasure of dining at this delightful Indian restaurant, and I must say, my experience was nothing short of extraordinary. I opted for the Meat Thali, a divine assortment of flavors that truly encapsulated the essence of Indian cuisine. The variety of meats, coupled with the aromatic spices, made each bite a heavenly delight.

Accompanying my meal was the perfect cup of Masala Chai, a warm and comforting blend that paired exceptionally well with the crispy biscuits. It was like a warm hug on a bustling London day.

Despite its small size and perpetual busyness, the restaurant managed to maintain an atmosphere of authenticity and charm. The bustling ambiance added to the overall experience, making it feel like a hidden gem in the heart of the city.

While the service could use a bit of improvement, I must commend the staff for their efforts. Considering the restaurant's popularity, the service was still a notch above what you might typically find in London. The flavors of the dishes more than made up for any minor hiccups in service, leaving me with a memorable dining experience.

In conclusion, if you're in the mood for an authentic Indian culinary adventure, this restaurant is a must-visit. The tantalizing flavors of the Meat Thali and the soul-soothing Masala Chai will transport your taste buds straight to India. Despite the bustling atmosphere and room for service enhancement, the overall experience was one to remember. I'll definitely be returning to savor more of their...