Salaam Namaste, Bloomsbury

It is common in London for restaurants not to be in chains but to be brother and sister, or the offshoot of another, or uncle and second cousin removed. To me, this makes sense, as being a restaurant in London is sometimes a tough business and it is a good thing that they have someone looking out for the other.

This is the relationship enjoyed by Camden’s Namaasté Kitchen and Bloomsbury’s Salaam Namaste. The latter is the older sibling and is more in keeping with an orthodox Indian restaurant with smart decor and discreet lighting. My companion and I ventured on what was an exceptionally busy night with the place filled with Christmas parties, creating a rambunctious atmosphere.

I started with the Manglorean soft shell crab, which was crab fried in a light batter with pepper tomato coulis and a citrus salad. There was a compelling interplay between the batter and the crab meat, with the delicacy of the batter quickly crumpling into the soft meat. The accompanying coulis added a fantastic piquancy that was not too overwhelming.

For main course, I ventured for the Chicken Hara Pyaz, which was chargrilled chicken mixed in with a spring onion and tomato sauce, along with pink fur potato, courgettes and crispy potato. My companion chose the Goan-style sea bass. This is the signature dish of the restaurant and comes cooked with curry leaf, mustard seed and served in a coconut sauce.

My chicken was sumptuous, fantastically cooked and with a sturdy texture. The spring onion and tomato sauce was an unorthodox addition and took a little while to get used to. But when combined with the potatoes and courgettes, the overall effect was a delight. My companion was equally effusive about her sea bass and it is clear why the restaurant is so proud of its concoction to make it the standard bearer.

After I finished my visit, there was the uncomfortable question of which out of the two restaurants, Salaam Namaste and Namaasté Kitchen, do I prefer?

Come on now. Much like a discerning parent, I love them both equally. Mainly because it is wonderful seeing them both thrive.

Salaam Namaste
68 Millman St
Bloomsbury
WC1N 3EF

Tel: 0207 405 3697