NOT SO LONG AGO we were wondering to ourselves: “What might have happened if a young Irani had set up a café in a Godown (warehouse) behind Bombay’s Victoria Terminus, C. 1928?”
Soon after we began to ponder the question, we found ourselves traveling back and forth between Bombay and London, buried deep in archives, lost in obscure back streets, asking directions to forgotten old buildings and blowing the dust off old books.
Several months of building work followed. Many weeks of training new Dishoom-wallas. And eventually, we had the answer. Our big shed had become a living breathing restaurant.
This little stop-motion video documents some of that. Certainly, it made us smile!
Dishoom King’s Cross opened on 20th November.
We are now taking reservations for tables of any size before 6pm, and tables of 6-11 people from 6pm. (Larger groups will be able to visit us from 8th December.)
Of course, we are still accepting walk-in guests at any time. (Currently it’s all rather peaceful, so do pop down and enjoy the lovely relaxed atmosphere whenever you wish!)
We will be totally delighted to see you there!
The origins of chintz can be firmly – and humbly – traced back to 16th century India. The word ‘chintz’ is derived from the Hindi word ‘chint’, meaning spotted or splattered. These intricate designs and endless patterns were traditionally hand-printed using wooden blocks - kalamkari - and brilliantly coloured natural dyes.
We often find it too easy to hurtle through the days, in an attempt to outpace the bustling city – be it London or Bombay – which always seems to be running away like a steam-engine train on a rickety track. Occasionally, it does us good to pause for thought, to disembark the carriage and sit on the platform awhile.
How does one create a space where people can truly connect over food? How can a host make their guests feel relaxed, at ease, and suitably cared for? Since launching our all-new Dishoom Crockery, we have been pondering the answers to these questions even more than usual. We recently discussed them with Creative Director - and frequent dinner party hostess - Kirthanaa Naidu when we invited her to create a first-class tablescape in our Canary Wharf café.
Each year, the spring equinox – when day and night are equal length – marks a transition in earth’s relationship with the sun. This event, sacred to many cultures throughout history, today thrives as a new year celebration for hundreds of millions.
In Bombay, London, and throughout the South Asian diaspora, you’ll find many folks of the Zoroastrian faith (amongst others) celebrating this new year, or Navroz as we like to call it.