Dishoom: a Ruby Murray with a difference – and a night out not to be missed

Before I start, let me explain. Dishoom is no ordinary curry house.

In fact, it’s not a curry house at all, as my wife insisted when I suggested as much – it’s much more than that.

Without wanting to sound grandiose – pretentious even – a night at Dishoom really is an experience.

We had visited before – for my wife’s parents’ ruby wedding anniversary – where else would you go for such an occasion than a posh Ruby Murray? And once for my birthday.

So this was the time to tell the South London Press readers all about it.

Dishoom is not just somewhere to fill your belly after five pints of lager on a Saturday night. Although the Kingfisher did go down well. It really is a special occasion place. It’s not cheap – our bill for three came to  £161.10 with service – but bearing in mind the above, it is worth every single penny. And more.

Dishoom has many branches across London, including one in Battersea. 

We headed, this time, for Dishoom in King’s Cross. Now there’s an area that has changed for the better.

Dishoom pays homage to the Irani cafés that were once part of the fabric of life in Bombay.

The King’s Cross restaurant is found within a restored Victorian industrial building — a former railway transit shed, built in 1850. 

To Londoners this is a warehouse, but to Bombayites, it would be a Godown. 

Vast quantities of goods once flowed through this foremost interchange between rail, road and canal, and the interior reflects that of an Indian railway station of the day.

Dishoom is mainly a walk-in ‘cafe’,’ as it advertises itself. It’s food, although a treat, is actually quite simple – harking back to those Bombay cafes of old.

The food you eat is worth every minute you may wait in the often lengthy queue, but you can also book. 

Our reservation was for 6.30pm on an early spring Saturday evening. 

We were quickly taken to our table and introduced to the wonderful Arantxa, our superbly attentive and friendly waitress.

For those who haven’t been here before, the menu can appear slightly curious and left me, at least, wondering whether the grills or the ruby were main courses, so a tip – ask your waiter or waitress how much they think you will need!

There were three of us; myself, my wife and our 11-year-old daughter, Nellie.

We went for two small plates – vegetable samosas and okra fries and the Chicken Biryani and the unmissable Chicken Ruby as mains. Then from the grill – as large as a main – the Murgh Malai, which is chicken marinated overnight in cream, garlic and coriander and the wonderful Gunpowder Potatoes. We also ordered rice, naan and raita.

And even though we were helped with how much to order by Arantxa, we couldn’t resist trying even more.

The food is to die for and you will not be disappointed whichever combination you choose.

And of course it was too much for us – so we took the rest home and had it for Sunday dinner as well.

Dishoom is a night out not to be missed. You will not regret it.

• Charlie and his family were guests of Dishoom

Pictured top: The ground floor of Dishoom King’s Cross (Picture: Dishoom)