What: Darjeeling Express
In a nutshell: Indian sharing platters from supperclub gone permanent.
Summing it all up: She's had lots of success with her pop-ups and residencies and now Asma Khan is launching a permanent Darjeeling Express restaurant in Kingly Court.
The low-down
The revolution in Indian cooking in London looks set to continue. After four years of running the very popular supperclub Darjeeling Express, it's time for self-taught cook Asma Khan to settle down with her own restaurant. So she's setting up shop on the second floor of Carnaby Court. And she's bringing with her all the women who helped her out along the way as part-time assistants - and now taking on this new venture.
For the food, expect large sharing platters, which are based on the old-fashioned “dawaat” (feast) which was part of her family tradition in India. She's combining North Indian culinary traditions from her fathe's side, her mother’s Bengali heritage and family dishes from the Nizam court in Hyderabad. In practice, that means dishes like Calcutta lamb dum biryani, Khare Masale ka Gosht, Hyderabadi Haleem and Mutton Shikampuri Kabab. Although expect the menu to change regularly.
On top of all this, once things are up and running, there are also plans to donate to a charity that supports second daughters in Kurseong village in the Darjeeling district in Bengal.
Darjeeling Express's recent residency saw Fay Maschler to praise a recent residency appearance and Chris Pople said "as food as good as this, and service as warm and friendly as this, demands an audience." So it's definitely one to watch.
More about Darjeeling Express
Where is it? 2nd Floor, 6-8 Kingly St, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW
When does it open? June 27, 2017
Find out more: Visit their website or follow Asma Khan on Twitter @darjeelingldn.
