On the penultimate evening of our weeklong London sojourn, and having a serious jones for some Indian food - a favorite we've shared since we started dating decades ago - we did a Google search, cross-referenced Yelp, and made a reservation at Colonel Saab online.
To find the entrance, look for Holborn Town Hall; as the restaurant sits within that building and there is no big sign, you could miss it.
When we arrived we were greeted and seated straightaway. If the room has an overarching vision, it is superabundance: platters on one wall, clocks on another, and overhead a surfeit of glass chandeliers - some lit while others are satisfied to bathe in the light emanating from their neighbors. It felt like the 2-level room was full, even with only some of the downstairs tables occupied at this early dinner hour.
Our waiter and helpers were first rate: attentive, knowledgeable, efficient, personable. He offered good menu insights, helping guide us to the spicy, full flavored fare we enjoy.
For starters and sides, Khumbani Aloo Tikki Chaat was a delicious dish of intriguing complexity of flavors, new to us and highly recommended; the Sweet Potato Fries - a surprise in such a place - were as good as any we've had elsewhere. The Papadam were crisp and savory, and the Malabar Parantha warm, tender, and pull-able.
Next, their chana masala, "Chole Kulche" on the Colonel's menu, was the hottest and most fully flavored we can remember having.
"Chicken Chettinad" was the curry chicken dish we ordered, and it was comfortably satisfying.
Their "Hyderabadi" Chicken Biryani was the best I've had, full of warm, familiar flavors with a good amount of heat, just enough to make it interesting.
Before concluding, one glitch: we made the reservation by clicking "Reserve a Table" on the Google result. I assumed it went through the restaurant or Open Table, but an intermediary called "The Fork" sent some of the responses. Along with 3 other confirmation emails, one told us that "A payment of £20 has been requested by Colonel Saab in order to secure your booking..." We didn't read it until later, and did not send money. At the restaurant, the hostess' information showed a reservation at our time and number in the party, but under a different name. No mention of the 20 GBP "security" was made. I've never heard of such an arrangement, but perhaps it's a new trend.
Bottom Line: This was among the best meals of Indian food we've ever had. I recommend it to anyone in the area. We'll certainly be back on our next London trip. read more