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LONDON | DUM Biryani House is a new Indian restaurant in Soho focusing on Hyderabadi Biryani, snacks, and starters from the Andhra Pradesh region (South India). The City Lane was invited to try out the menu and we were interested in seeing what the regional specialties on offer were all about.
Upon arrival, we were directed down the stairs to a warmly lit and spacious basement. As we comfortably settled down at the table, the waitress brought the menu and started intriguing us with the selection of drinks, notably the spice-infused cocktails, including a Saffron Old Fashioned. We chose a sweet lassi and a chach (salted masala lassi), to help cool down our taste buds in anticiption of the coming spice and heat hit.
The food menu consists of two biryani thalis: Lamb Shank and Seasonal Veg, both paired with a Mirch Salan (spicy curry with padron chillies) and a Raita (Yoghurt Dip) with smoked aubergine or fried okra. There was also chicken biryani available on the day, but we decided to go for the standard menu options. For starters, there were five options – the staff happily explained the dishes and made recommendations.
We started with chicken wings and king prawns, which were superbly seasoned. The chicken wings were tossed in a spicy and sour masala, while the prawns stirred fried in red chillies with crunchy coconut flakes on top. The main dishes were equally intriguing. Instead of coming out on a rice plate as we expected, they were wrapped over by a pastry shell dotted with sesame and cumin seeds. As we cracked this open, the steam of spice poured out invitingly. Whilst the vegetable biryani did not disappoint, we were especially taken away by the lamb biryani. The meat and rice came together in one aromatic and fragrant flavour of decent heat – in particular the generously portioned succulent lamb shanks were slow cooked to perfection.
We ended the night by sharing a sweet pot of Rabdi (Indian milk pudding), before taking our fully stuffed tummies back home. We will certainly be back for more of that lamb shank, and to enjoy the exciting cocktails in the casual, welcoming setting.
DUM Biryani House
187B Wardour Street
London W1F 8ZB
United Kingdom
Telephone: 020 3638 0974
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.dumlondon.com/
Open
Mon – Thu: 5:00pm to 11:00pm
Fri – Sun: 12:00pm to 3:00pm; 6:00pm to 11:00pm