Set in the heart of Bloomsbury, Salaam Namaste brings a unique Indian flavor to the area, serving up delicious dishes, ranging from regional Indian classics to plates with a modern twist.
Indian food is all about spice and flavor, which Salaam Namaste serves up in abundance. They’ve refined the cuisine but have not betrayed the true roots of Indian cooking, which remains at the heart of their ethos. With an award-winning head chef and a regional changing menu, it’s no wonder the restaurant is a favourite of the Bloomsbury foodie crowd.
The restaurant is modern and relaxed, which suits their eclectic menu. We started with fresh popadums and chutneys and alongside this we ordered two thick mango lassies, the Indian drink made with fruit and yoghurt. We were taken through the menu by our wonderful host who made some great suggestions for us, explaining the various regional dishes, their spice levels and what they contain.
Our starters as recommended by our host were both delicious. The first was a trio of scallops, each served in a different delicately spiced sauce. The scallops were fresh, perfectly cooked and were complimented by the varying flavours accompanying them. We also shared an Aloo Tikki Chaat – a crisped potato cake on a bed of spiced chickpeas, with a sweet and spicy sauce. It was absolutely delicious. This dish was a first for me but I’d definitely order it again.
The main course was a generous spread of some amazing Indian dishes, with a good variety of meats, lentils and vegetables. The Travancore Chicken Curry was fragrant with mustard seeds, curry leaves and ginger and the Rajasthan Laal Maas was a spicy lamb dish, which gently sang with the fire of red roasted chillis. Alongside these flavoursome currys, we were served a deliciously thick lentil daal dish, Aloo Gobi, basmati rice and pillow-like naan bread. Everything that was served to us was both hearty but refined.
The restaurant runs regional seasons where they serve up traditional dishes from varying regions in India. These range from Kerala, Rajasthani and Goa, giving diners the chance to sample dishes that they might not usually try at their local Indian. It also paints a true and authentic picture of the real India and its diversely different cuisine.
Whether you’d like a traditional Indian meal as we Brits know it, or want to be a little experimental, Salaam Namaste can provide you with a delicious and memorable meal in a comfortable contemporary setting. It’s an asset to the fantastic line up of restaurants in Bloomsbury and a true celebration of wonderful Indian food.
