Topic: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London

[joshallen2k]

Read a while back that a curry house on Brick Lane was shut down. Too many dead mice in the kitchen. An oriental cockroach was also found, alive and kicking. Apparently they are on the large size.

I was in London earlier this year. Nearly tried a curry place in King's Cross, but the classic dishes, bhuna, madras etc were on the "Boring but Delightful" section of the menu. Didn't fill me with confidence, so I ducked out.   

Rob

Yes I've noticed pursuing many menus that the "Classics" - which is what I'm looking for, are resigned to a footnote on many menus in favour of Chef's specials. I get it these guys feel they need to differentiate menus, be more modern and all, but that's not what I'm looking for.

[Peripatetic Phil]

Unless you want your curry made with chicken tikka, best to avoid all chicken "chef's specials", IMHO.
--
** Phil.

[tempest63]

I don’t believe the old school BIR exist anymore.
Certainly not in Central London. The high Street curry houses are a pale imitation of the many places I visited in the 70’s and 80’s.
Out of choice now I would look at the Lahore kebab houses around the Aldgate/Whitechapel areas or more likely I would visit anyone of the Dishoom chain that are located throughout London.

[Peripatetic Phil]

Yes, certainly agree that Lahore (I forget whether Lahore One or Two) in Commercial Road does superb kebabs, and has hand-washing facilities within the restaurant (i.e., not in the toilets) indicating that they attract a significant number of Muslim diners.  For me, their pièce de résistance is their kebabs :  I have almost zero experience of their other dishes (apart from their chapati, of course !).
--
** Phil.