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| Darjeeling Express |
Get ready. The United Kingdom has gotten back the much-desired Indian mangoes! To welcome this delicious import, Asma, aka Darjeeling Express, has graciously offered to host a one-off fantastic Summer supper at the Cinnamon Club.
We enjoyed some welcome drinks and canapés at the Library Bar before we headed towards the Private Dining Room, located in the club’s luxurious Grade II building. The menu includes classic Calcutta dishes, including Chicken Chaap, Goat Biryani, Papri Chaat, Tomato Bharta, and of course Mango Chutney. Asma also prepared some family favourites like Chicken Kebab and Venison Kofta, which originate from where she is from in North India.
It’s shocking to know that Asma couldn’t even boil an egg when she moved to UK in 1991. She soon realised that she needed to spice up the family’s cuisine, in 1993 she visited her family’s kitchens in India for a few months to learn and master four generations of true Northern Indian recipes.These new dishes she learned can be found in Nawabi/Mughal cuisine. Ever since she brought these amazing recipes back to the UK, she has traded in her brocade kurtas for professional kitchen whites.
I remember when Channel 4 used to show Bollywood documentaries and films on Saturday morning back in the day. I was glued to the TV screen. Until then, I never have seen so many beautiful and vibrant everyday outfits and make-up in such a short space of time. It was exhilarating seeing the magnificent feasts, the singing, the dance and all the drama. My heart skipped quite a few beats. That is how I feel when I know I am going to have Asma’s food. Oh, the anticipation and the certainty of a good time and above all, fabulous food. After all, I had the Darjeeling Express treatment many times before. Read about my previous experience here: Afternoon Chai.
Darjeeling Express canapes
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| Chilli Garlic Prawn |
Darjeeling Express, the meal
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| starter: Papri Chaat: Calcutta’s tangy fast/street food |
saffron, cooked using the Persian “dum” method of steaming the rice and
meat in a sealed pot. This dish was served with Raita: Spiced yogurt with cucumber, red onions and smoked tomatoes chutney and raw mango chutney
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| Venison Kofta: Hunting for game is banned in India but this recipe pre-dates the ban and is an old family recipe using shikaar masala (hunting spices). |
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| Vegetarian dish: Aloo Baigan: Aubergine cooked with potatoes |
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| Fresh Mangoes with a fantastic Shrikhand: Saffron and cardamom hung yoghurt and pistachios – amazing! |
Darjeeling Express begins a year long residency at the newly refurbished pub – Now at fixed address in Carnaby Street
Sun & 13 Cantons
21 Great Pulteney Street, London W1F 9NG
from Monday 22nd June 2015.
The hours are:
Monday to Saturday All day Menu from 12-6pm
Lunch 12-2.30pm
Dinner only on Saturday from 6-9pm
contact: darjeelingexpress@hotmail.co.uk to book
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More info: Darjeeling Express
The food looks absolutely stunning and is making me very hungry! It looks far superior to the indian fakeaway i've just consumed! Love the idea of the aloo samosas!
Laura x x x
Laura, you must make your way to her pop place in Soho! R
It certainly was a great day with some delicious food in a delightful setting. A very well executed lunch by a truly talented Darjeeling team.
Great blog Rosana
Hey Brinda! it was lovely meeting you at the lunch and thanks for stopping by my blog. Hope to see you at Asma's pop up in Soho soon. R
What a fantastic event! Such gorgeous mouthwatering food!
Hi Elizabeth, it certainly was! Such a treat to the senses and the tummy too! R
I'm a real foodie and your pictures capture this food so perfectly – mouthwatering! I bet it tasted so good! xx
Oh my goodness this looks and sounds amazing #ukbloggers Mummy2Monkeys
I have heard so much about this supper club, I really should book myself on one session!