Dishoom hits double figures with Battersea opening
The 235-cover site will be the Indian restaurant group’s seventh restaurant in the capital and will be located on Electric Boulevard next to Battersea Power Station.
Dishoom Battersea takes inspiration from graphic novels and looks at the future through the lens of the ‘50s, set in an imagined Bombay of the year 2023.
Design elements will include futuristic Hindi typefaces on the walls alongside artwork paying homage to architects, inventors and sci-fi writers ‘whose dreams shape our present and future’, according to the company.
“I grew up reading all the comics I could get my hands on, from the Indian Amar Chitra Kathas which tell the stories of Indian history and mythology, to DC and Marvel comics, to Tintin and Asterix,” says Dishoom co-founder Shamil Thakrar.
“In fact, I still hoard most of the originals in my attic. We have always written stories as a basis for our restaurant designs, so it seemed inevitable that we would one day express this in terms of a comic strip or graphic novel rather than just words.”
The Battersea restaurant will be the group’s 10th Dishoom and will open for soft launch on 27 November before its official opening date of 5 December.
“I am a proud Londoner, and Battersea Power Station is one of those few genuinely iconic London buildings,” adds Thakrar.
“When I was growing up, my father would endlessly lecture me onthe importance of the power station and its provision of power for the city – I can’t quite believe we’re in the fortunate position to be opening right beside it. I’m genuinely thrilled.”
New menu item
The menu at Dishoom Battersea will feature the chef’s special dish bhatti chicken (pictured above). Described as a forgotten cousin of tandoori chicken (bhatti is another name for anything cooked with fire), it is marinated in black spices and can be found in a few Bombay restaurants under the name black chicken.
The dish is served on the bone, in whole or half portions, with fresh green chutney and onion lachcha salad.
“Dishoom has become an iconic dining experience on London’s food and drink scene, and it only seems fitting that an iconic landmark such as Battersea Power Station, will be home to the brand’s first restaurant south of the river,” says Sam Cotton, head of asset management at Battersea Power Station Development Company.
“We’re extremely excited for the opening next month when our festive offering will be in full swing, making it the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal at the new Dishoom and lots of Christmas fun with loved ones.”
Last month Dishoom opened its spin-off sister brand Permit Room in Brighton. The bar-cafe is open from breakfast through dinner as is pitched as a more neighbourhood offering from the group.
