A kebab festival is currently underway at Colonel Saab restaurants in London, offering a unique culinary experience at locations in Trafalgar Square and Holborn.
The Festival’s Culinary Offerings
The festival celebrates the evolution of kebabs in Indian cuisine, which have been a staple since the 1200s. Head chef Rajeev Runa has curated a menu featuring 12 regional Indian kebabs not commonly found elsewhere in the city. Dishes include the Awadhi Galouti lamb kebab, Shikandari Raan goat, and Peshawar Chapli kebab, alongside non-traditional options like Malai Lobster with creamy coconut milk and a mushroom Galouti for vegetarians. The menu also features two desserts: almond rice pudding and bread and butter pudding.
Among the offerings, the Mughlai Shabnami Chicken stands out, consisting of tender chicken pieces seasoned and delicately stuffed with boiled egg, served with mint sauce, corn on the cob, and lemon. Another notable dish is the Banno Kebab, a chicken recipe from the Indo-Pakistani subcontinent, where boneless pieces are coated in egg wash, marinated in yogurt, and lightly spiced before roasting.
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Signature Dishes and Preparation
The meal is complemented by biryani rice and dal makhani, a rich lentil and kidney bean dish that typically requires two hours of cooking. However, the version served here was prepared over a day and a half, involving boiling, seasoning, adding butter, and slow cooking, resulting in a “superbly tasty and reassuringly comforting” dish. The char koni naan, a Hyderabad specialty made with refined flour and seasoned with Kasuri methi, was noted for its cake-like appearance and surprisingly tasty flavor.
The dessert selection includes a bread pudding made from bread in reduced milk, topped with silver leaf, and offering distinct saffron, pistachio, and cardamom flavors. An alternative almond rice pudding provides a milder option for those preferring a less intense experience. A Punchu tropical fruit mocktail was chosen by one visitor during their visit.
Ambiance and Desserts
Colonel Saab, named after Colonel Manbeer Choudhary and his wife Mrs Binny Choudhary, the parents of owner Roop Partap Choudhary, showcases chandeliers and artful wall displays collected over many years by the Choudhary family. The establishment, located in Holborn Hall and Trafalgar Square, recently welcomed guests who appreciated its aesthetic and culinary offerings. The kebab festival is scheduled to conclude in late September, providing a limited-time opportunity for food enthusiasts to explore these regional Indian dishes.