Experience the flavours of India with the new tasting menu at Colonel Saab. The dishes are inspired by owner Roop Partab Choudhary’s attempts to retrace his army officer father’s steps across India. As well as being a tribute to his family’s history, the new dishes represent the staggering diversity of the subcontinent’s cuisine.
What better way to sample this diversity than a tasting menu? Priced at £80 per person with extra options for champagne, wine, or cocktail pairings, this six-course feast will take you on a culinary journey through India. Atul, Sohan and the whole team have crafted a solid tasting menu that is also superb value.
The Tasting Menu at Colonel Saab: Dishes with an Old Soul
Although the dishes on this menu are inspired by traditional cuisine, Chef Sohan Bhandari has given each of them a tantalising modern twist. With over 20 years of experience with Indian, contemporary, and Mughlai cuisine, nobody is better suited to bring this menu to life.
You’ll begin with a mouth-watering Rasam. A South Indian staple, this tangy dish is composed of tomatoes simmered and tempered with spices. Colonel Saab’s version adds lentils for a hearty dish full of flavour. Hot and sour, almost like a Tom Yum soup, It is served with mini idli – soft savoury cakes from the region – and tomato chutney.
Next up is the Raj Kachori. This crispy, savoury pastry with opulent fillings and toppings is truly the king of kachoris. The dish includes spiced chickpeas and potato, trio sauce, pomegranate seed boondi, savoury crisp, herbal jam, and black cumin chaat masala for an extra touch of flavour. This is such an elevated version of a very humble dish which has so many contrasts and flavours.
For your third dish, you’ll have a choice between Kandhari Paneer Tikka or Anglo-Indian Chicken Chop. If there are two of you, share both. The seasoned grilled cottage cheese of the Paneer goes remarkably well with the subtly sweet and tart flavours of the prunes and pomegranates. Tomato and garlic mustard sauce complete the dish nicely. Meanwhile, the Madras curry helps make the Anglo-Indian Chicken Chop stand out, leaving the pulled chicken cutlet hot, spicy, and even slightly citrusy. It is served with salad and tomato raisin relish.
After enjoying a luscious sorbet made from smooth, sweet Indian Alphonso mangos, choose between Sunday Lamb Curry, Nadan Fish Curry, or Falahari Kofta Curry for your next dish. The Sunday Lamb Curry is served with cumin potatoes, deliciously creamy dal makhani, steamed rice, and butter naan. The Nandan Fish Curry comes with bean poriyal, dal makhani, steamed rice, and a malabar paratha you will be fighting over, the most famous flatbread from Kerala. The main course is served traditional thali style on a large plate with a little bit of everything which is a great way to enjoy the food.
The Falahari Kofta Curry is a good option for those looking for a meat-free fifth dish. The kofta meatballs are made of lotus stem and are laid on a bed of mild beetroot and raisin curry. The dish also includes beans poriyal, dal tadka, steamed rice, and a traditional Khameeri roti which stands out for its soft and spongy texture.
Finally, choose between the Mishti Doi Cheesecake and the Raspberry, Pistachio, and Coconut Tart for dessert. The Mishti Doi Cheesecake is a sweetened and flavourful yoghurt cake typically eaten in Bengal. The Bengali lime and caramel-like jaggery syrup add nice touches. On the other hand, the Tart is a smooth raspberry mousse in a coco-pista tart with a sprinkling of passionfruit pearls, berries, and pistachio.
Pair the Tasting Menu at Colonel Saab
For an even better experience, pair your dishes with wines, champagnes, or cocktails. Award-winning mixologist Anthony Bertin has crafted a cocktail menu designed to enhance your culinary trip through the subcontinent. The team makes their own syrups, bitters, liqueurs, and cold-pressed juices to create fresh, high-quality drinks.
The craft cocktails include Pahabi, which utilises spices, kale, and Himalayan gin to great effect. Meanwhile, the Kunwar is a North Indian treat composed of 15-year-old Chivas, Campari, vermouth infused with Indian spices, and rose bitters. Moving further East, the Spice of the North East pays tribute to a region known for its ghost pepper and its large variety of citrus fruits with passion fruit pearls infused in Monkey 47 gin, house pineapple liqueur, and ghost pepper Tincher’s.
The last two cocktails are the Aam and the Kaapi. Although they could not be more different from each other, both are delightful. The Aam captures the essence of a state famous for its juicy Alphonso mangos, expansive vineyards, and spicy food with a mix of Desi Daru mango vodka, Olmeca Altos silver tequila, fresh grape juice, chilli salt, and lime. The sweet and sour notes of this cocktail are exquisite. The Kaapi is also irresistible, combining Colonel Saab’s all-time favourite after-meal South Indian filter coffee with cardamom syrup, Absolut vodka, and Chai liqueur.
Wine pairings are really detailed and pair so well with the food. Expect a Manzanilla sherry, Saint Florin Sauvignon Blanc Bordeaux, Rose Cote du Provence, Croze Hermitage and even a dessert wine with a Vinsanto del Chianti, Antorio. Ask the staff to help pair wines, champagnes, or cocktails with the tasting menu dishes to create an ode to Indian cuisine.
A Feast for the Eyes
Dining at Colonel Saab’s is a feast for all your senses – not just because the fragrant food is plated beautifully, but also because you’re surrounded on all sides by art and history. Colonel Saab has two main locations. The first opened in Holborn, and after its resounding success a second, larger Colonel Saab restaurant opened in Trafalgar Square. Both are beautifully adorned with Indian art and artefacts picked up during the Choudhary family’s travels.
In the Trafalgar location, you can find a broad array of historical items, including 16th century Tanjore art on wood and Warli paintings in a form dating back to 2500 BCE. Light shines down from an extravagant canopy of chandeliers from Firozabad, illuminating the Bakhtiari and Kilim rugs, miniature paintings, and antique embroidery adorning the walls. Old photos of the owner’s family, along with his grandparents’ wedding Almirah, add a personal touch.
If you’re interested in history, we recommend asking staff about any pieces that catch your eye.
Pre-Theatre Dining and Fusion Afternoon Tea
If you tried this tasting menu and fell in love with the food, there’s good news – Colonel Saab has more menus you can enjoy over the summer. The West End menu takes advantage of the fact that the restaurant is located less than 10 minutes walking distance from major theatres such as the London Coliseum, and the National Theatre to offer a delicious menu available before 18:30.
Enjoy a charming and elegant menu experience that blends British tradition and Indian heritage with the Afternoon Tea menu. This multicultural tea party includes finger dhokla sandwiches with coriander and mint chutney, samosas, and mini tea cakes. Pick out of a selection of teas and coffees, including Americano, Cappuccino, Turmeric Latte, Organic Darjeeling, and Spiced Chai. Those who don’t like tea or coffee can also select a creamy hot chocolate. Options with champagne or prosecco are also available.
To find out more, visit colonelsaab.co.uk
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All imagery from Colonel Saab.