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Old Nov 18th, 2004 | 12:09 PM
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EmilyV
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Indian Food In London?

Does anyone have recommendations for fairly inexpensive Indian restaurants in central London? I've tried one on Charlotte Street and one on Drummond (near Euston Station) and both were good, but I'd love to hear of more for a trip in January. Little neighborhood places are great.
Thanks!
 
Old Nov 18th, 2004 | 12:14 PM
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I'm not too much into Indian food, but I saw Punjab Restaurant (<b>www.punjab.co.uk</b featured on the Travel Channel.

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Old Nov 18th, 2004 | 12:15 PM
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Finding inexpensive Indian or Paki restaurants in London is like finding coal in Newcastle - on every corner. I have no recommendations but Brick Lane, in the east end has become known for its many Indian eateries, shops, bakeries with windows stacked high with colorful sweets, etc. This street is so redolent of Indian and Pakistan you forget you're in London. Brick Lane is nearby the Petticoat Lane market.
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Old Nov 18th, 2004 | 12:23 PM
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My favourite Indian restaurant is the Cinnammon Club, but that's more European in style of service, and atmosphere, it's fine dining which isn't what you want.

However, a fabulous place which is in a dumpy area, the restaurant is far from elegant, the service is more steel than silver, but the food its honest, and innovative in a traditional way. It's in Long Lane, Finchley - a vile area - and is so cheap, but it's honest and a real dress down option.
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Old Nov 18th, 2004 | 12:24 PM
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We loved an Indian restaurant in the Shephers Market area, right off Curzon St. There are a few down off Aldwych where the theatres are..I never had bad Indian food in London
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Old Nov 18th, 2004 | 01:13 PM
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city spice and sampan both on brick lane...not indian but bangladeshi (as many &quot;indian&quot; restaurants in london are).
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Old Nov 18th, 2004 | 01:16 PM
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should have read...shampan
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Old Nov 18th, 2004 | 01:31 PM
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My info is dated ..four years old..but there's a place with Keralan food - called Sharif's - on Oxford Street I think. Very different from the standard &quot;curry&quot; I might have an actual address somewhere.

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Old Nov 18th, 2004 | 03:40 PM
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I'm sorry to have to admit that I probably wouldn't know &quot;authentic&quot; Indian if it bit me on the rump. And even more sadly, I don't know what constitutes bangladeshi or keralan or even the difference between northern and southern Indian cuisine. In fact my favorite dish is chicken tikka masala, which may be more English than Indian. I'm happy to be educated, however!
 
Old Nov 18th, 2004 | 04:26 PM
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EmilyV, that is my favorite dish too
Also, Abu Gobi ( okra ) ... Enjoy~
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Old Nov 18th, 2004 | 04:27 PM
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sorry- that should be Aloo Gobi.
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Old Nov 18th, 2004 | 08:10 PM
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Our long-time favorite is the Standard Indian Restaurant in Westbourne Grove. The lamb tikka is fabulous, but so is just about everything on the menu.
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Old Nov 19th, 2004 | 03:49 AM
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my second time attempting to respond to this (website problems).

emily,

there is little practical difference between indian, pakistani and bangladeshi owned restaurants in london. the main exception is brick lane (banglatown) where the restaurants market themselves as bangladeshi rather than indian and have some bangla dishes (often fish based) in addition to the indian standards. usually, they are all just packaged as &quot;indian&quot; regardless of the nationality of the owners/workers.

in london you will find mostly northern indian restaurants. there are relatively few southern indian places. southern cuisine is quite different and there are many websites that explain this difference better and in more detail than i can than i can...just do a quick google search if you are interested.

you do not need to understand all of this to enjoy it...in london it is all just called &quot;curry&quot;...as in &quot;let's meet for a curry&quot;. there are many standard dishes that you might want to familiarise yourself with before going to the restaurant in order to maximise your enjoyment. this certainly is not necessary, however.
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Old Nov 19th, 2004 | 05:22 AM
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I have to go with m_k2 with regard to really good quality food at the Cinnamon Club, but that's not what we tend to go for when we '..go for an Indian..'

http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaura...?Rest_ID=81161

So I'd strongly suggest that you head for Brick Lane... However there are great Indians all over London.

Just remembered, you might also want to try Masala Zone, which is just off Carnaby Street, and serves a contemporary twist on Indian street food; the thalis make a great lunch.

http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaura...?Rest_ID=80866
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Old Nov 19th, 2004 | 05:44 AM
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i agree that masala zone is good (despite the awful name). Top marks for offering a diabetic curry. they do not have naan bread on the menu, however (at least they didn't have it when i was there about a year ago. If you want to experience &quot;typical&quot; curry in london, i suggest that you go somewhere else first and save masala zone for later.
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Old Nov 19th, 2004 | 07:20 AM
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I haven't been back for awhile but there was a wonderful vegetarian Indian Restaurant, &quot;Dwana,&quot; and &quot;The Bombay Palace.&quot;was anothe Indian restaurant I remember.
Is My favorite French Rstaurant still open, &quot;Tante Claire?&quot; The chef is from Gascony.
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Old Nov 19th, 2004 | 07:54 AM
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walkinaround - wouldn't a Londoner say &quot;anyone fancy a Ruby?&quot;
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Old Nov 19th, 2004 | 10:52 AM
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AA Tandoori in Dean's Court.
 
Old Nov 19th, 2004 | 11:18 AM
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Flygirl, I thought I had cockney slang figured out until &quot; fancy a ruby &quot;....please explain.
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Old Nov 19th, 2004 | 11:44 AM
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Ruby Murray - rhymes with curry.
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