Colonel Saab, London’s luxury Indian dining concept
Think a fusion of historical India, vintage, family with sublime Indian cuisine served up with a smile in an authentic setting and created as a love letter to his family.
Indian Etiquette
When a gentleman (@gentlemansbutler) takes a south Asian lady out to dinner @sarasordillo we better make sure the food is good and the setting up to her standards!!! Roop Partap Choudhary created Colonel Saab as a “love letter” to his family and India. And in the past year it has been named the UK’s Best Asian Restaurant at the Asian Curry Awards (the Oscars of the curry world), Best Newcomer at British Curry Awards and much more.
Colonel Saab
Restaurateur Roop Partap Choudhary launched the second, larger Colonel Saab in Trafalgar Square in November 2023. Like the original, it has a meticulously curated menu and art, with recipes and artefacts collected by the Choudhary family on their travels across the continent. The large second restaurant is spread across two floors, and features a bar, lounge area, opulent dining room bathed in light by a canopy of ornate chandeliers from Firozabad beneath a grand, glass atrium, with an opulent mezzanine area, plus three private dining rooms.
The William IV Street restaurant is a homage to Choudhary’s travels across India with his mother, Mrs Binny Choudhary and father, Colonel Manbeer, who was given the honorific name ‘Colonel Saab’ – shared by the restaurants – while serving in the Indian Army. The postings across India enabled them to experience the continent’s rich diversity of food from traditional local lunches in the tents of Rajasthan to British-inspired Indian breakfasts in the Officer’s Mess and banquets hosted by Indian nobility and Maharajas.
Choudhary spent a year retracing his father’s footsteps across India by train, bus and car to curate contemporary twists on dishes passed down through the generations of people they met, with many regional specialities appearing for the first time on a London menu.
Style of Indian Cuisine
The exciting, all-day dining menu introduces diners to progressive takes on nostalgic dishes, from British and Indian fusion afternoon high tea, regional favourites rarely served in the UK, like the Sunday Lamb Curry, signature dishes, like the Falahari Curry Kofta, their popular Gutti Vankaya – Andhra curry, baby aubergines in tangy tamarind gravy – and the restaurant’s outstanding desserts, including signatures like the Rasmalai Milk Cake in cardamom cream and Boondi Caviar or the Bengali, Mishti Doi Cheesecake in jaggery syrup.
Restaurant Service
I talk about service and atmosphere being very important. Some people I have spoken with recently believe it’s all about the food.
I do not agree. If they forget about you, if you are in a draft, if you are uncomfortable, if you are not made to feel welcome, if they get your bill wrong and lots more it will massively impact on your experience.
I think the feeling you have in your heart is a huge part of going out to dinner. Even though they forgot to bring a glass of wine, though I could have reminded them about this, the staff were so kind and genuine. I really mean it. Really lovely and this fills your heart with positivity. They worked as a team, as friends and that gives the guests a good feeling so bravo.
Dining Atmosphere
It’s laid back with a good restaurant hum. Spread over 2 floors and with a good bar which we sat at for about half an hour having a drink with nibbles.
I would say the restaurant is premium more than luxury, but loved the layout and use of Indian memorabilia.
The branding needs in my opinion a bit of work but that’s just a professional opinion. The menu sets the tone so a bit of work here in the way it looks would pay dividends I feel.
Interiors
Dining at Colonel Saab features a treasure trove of eclectic Indian art and artefacts collected by his family on their travels, lovingly brought to the space under challenging conditions. The Trafalgar Square destination’s rare and precious art and artefacts tell the story of India’s rich history and cultures, and include vibrant 16th century Tanjore art on wood; handmade wooden doors from temples of Gujarat and Nepal; fine porcelain plates from the 18th century; Warli paintings in a form dating back to 2500 BCE; three Bakhtiari and Kilim rugs decorating the walls; miniature paintings; detailed, antique Phulkari floral embroidery; a precious Rabab lute; heavily adorned, gilt Kimkhwab embroidery; a Mughal Zardosi Embroidered Fan. There are also personal items, including Roop’s grandparents’ Wedding Almirah and paintings and photographs of his family.
Overall Dining Experience
A lovely evening, enjoying great Indian food in an authentic setting and being looked after by people with a smile. Cannot be bad. I am sure you will have a lovely time.