Last Updated on May 3, 2024
Indian Spice and all things nice!
There’s a bright new light shining amongst the restaurants nestled between Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden, in the heart of London’s Theatreland. Building on the success of its Holborn operation, Colonel Saab has opened in King William IV Street bringing its trademarks of fabulous flavours and warm hospitality served in splendid surroundings.
Step inside and enter a world designed to delight the senses. The interior is an enchanting abundance of light, colour and cleverly displayed decorative artefacts. Genuine antiques and pieces of art gathered over a lifetime of travel around India by founder Roop Partap Choudhary’s family, and all carefully placed alongside new pieces especially commissioned from expert creators of lighting and textiles.
Here a carved temple door from South India and there on the stairs a pure silver door from a Gujarat temple. Handwoven Persian silk carpets, Tanjore paintings, a drinks bar made by Asprey for the Maharaja of Patiala and all carefully curated under glittering Firozabad chandeliers
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Every artefact tells a story and the narrative continues within a drinks menu featuring innovative cocktails named after family members. Created in partnership with the Diageo mixology team, and featuring artisanal gins, whiskies, and rums based on Indian botanicals, the drinks menu complements the food perfectly.
The signature Colonel Saab cocktail promises “the warmth of coffee and chai to soothe the soul”. It does just that and tastes so very good that, like our beloved tea and coffee, it could definitely be enjoyed at any time of day! For something a little less indulgent try the Beetroot and Rosemary Paloma, a classic mix with a twist of in-house salted beetroot juice and rosemary syrup – a long, jewel-coloured, deliciously refreshing surprise.
The excellent menu devised by Sohan Bhandari features regional, aromatic flavours and dishes prepared for a modern pallet. This is a menu which recognises Britain’s long love affair with Indian food but invites us to upgrade our taste buds and enjoy a true culinary experience.
First up, try the chaat bar! Sweet, sour, spicy, zingy or crunchy – take your pick or have one of each! If you’re sharing, a portion of Khubani Aloo Tikki Chaat is a delicious way in, offering a happy flavour explosion; whilst the house speciality Noor Mahal Chicken Tikka (named after the family’s hotel in Haryana) practically melts in the mouth. Do note that the grilled spiced black tiger prawns with a chimichurri-style sauce are just too good to share.
Having experienced the starters, it is a done deal that by now you will be planning your next visit. And in attempting to choose main course dishes from the enticing range of sauces and spices on offer, you know you will be banking plates to try next time.
The friendly, knowledgeable team are on hand to explain the provenance of dishes or techniques involved in the preparation and will advise on flavours and what works best together. Due to the cooking style, many dishes are gluten- and dairy-free, and the menu offers a good balance of vegetarian to meat and fish dishes.
The Choudhary family’s journeys across India and the variety of flavours one encounters there feature strongly. The Sunday Lamb Curry with its delicious depth of flavour, the result of hours of slow cooking in sweet spices, is a favourite from the Punjab and evokes lazy days and family time together. The Gutti Vankaya, an Andhra style curry flavoured baby aubergines in a terrific tangy tamarind gravy is typical of the coastal region.
House specials include Colonel Saab’s Butter Chicken in a tomato and cashew gravy alongside Chef Sohan’s Confit of Cauliflower: slow-baked cauliflower and cardamom saffron sauce; Falahari Curry Kofta offers kofta rolls of Lotus stem, beetroot & raisin in a mild curry.
The dessert menu will not disappoint! With puddings and crumbles and cheesecakes and tarts all crafted from mango, pistachio, passionfruit, raspberries, coconut not to mention cardamom cream, vanilla bean and Bengal lime, satisfaction is guaranteed.
Since opening in High Holborn, Colonel Saab has been recognised as one of Forbes’ top Indian restaurants, awarded Newcomer of the Year at the Asian Curry Awards, won Travellers Choice by Trip Advisor and earned Harden’s Certificate of Achievement, among other accolades. It’s established a reputation for great food and hospitality which the new Colonel Saab Trafalgar Square looks set to continue. The Trafalgar Square site also offers two rooms for private dining.
You’ll find Colonel Saab Trafalgar Square at 40-42 William IV Street, London WC2N 4DD
The restaurant is open every day from 1200 until 2145
Reservations can be made at: https://colonelsaab.co.uk
If you’d like to know more about the Colonel Saab story you can read our reviews of Colonel Saab Holborn here.
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