“It’s an oasis, it’s Dishoom” – a poem by Joe Winter

The entrance at Dishoom, with rules inspired by Café Bastani in Bombay (now, sadly, closed)

Towards the end of last year a real live bona fide poet came to Dishoom and loved it so much he wrote a poem on it! We were truly touched.

The poet happens also to be the father of one of our staff (Prerna) whom you may remember from her lovely peacock Diwali chalk rangoli. Joe, the poet in question, lived in Bengal for many years and has written one of the authoritative translations of Tagore’s famous Gitanjali (which is an incredibly beautiful work). He’s also a fantastic chap.

TO A NEW RESTAURANT

It’s Covent Garden’s latest bloom,
a new jewel in St Martin’s Lane.
It’s an oasis. It’s Dishoom.

It could be London’s ritziest room.
Sit in splendour and rest your brain.
It’s Covent Garden’s latest bloom.

It’s something else. From India’s loom
an offering to drive you insane.
It’s an oasis. It’s Dishoom.

Oh man, the food. A bride and groom
each couple will become again.
It’s Covent Garden’s latest bloom.

A red wine in the cunning gloom
downstairs . . . you have not lived in vain.
It’s an oasis. it’s Dishoom.

Ganesh, observe a café boom,
from where upon the wall you reign.
It’s Covent Garden’s latest bloom.
It’s an oasis. It’s Dishoom!

Joe Winter
November 2010