Friday, a day out in – that London. We headed east, to Aldgate East, en route to Whitechapel, a happy hunting ground for Lahori/Punjabi cuisine. A return to Lahore Kebab House (2-10 Umberston St., Whitechapel, London, E1 1PY, England) was overdue. Nothing pretentious here, just straightforward Desi fayre.
With Clive leading the way, on exiting the tube station, we found ourselves walking in a north-easterly direction, through the throng emerging from a string of venues on Whitechapel Road, Friday prayers. From the rear of the train, Exit 1 on to New Drum Street, leading to Commercial Road, is what we had wanted. This meant walking two sides of a triangle. It did give the Hector the opperchancity to point out Tayyabs and Needoo Grill as we walked down New Road. Dr. Stan has never had Curry in Whitechapel. A couple of Curry Cafes not spotted before, appeared to viable additions, still too many Grill Houses.
Arriving at Lahore Kebab House just on 14.00, confusing signs on the doors had me try more than one.
They’re closed – advised a passer by – last week, it’s not even on their website.
Indeed, Google Maps says – Temporarily closed – and the restaurant website is down.
We lost The India Club three years ago, not another favourite London venue gone. At this rate, Tooting will have to become the chosen area to kick off a day out in the city.
Dr. Stan was melting – c’mon boys … you’d think it was 120 degrees. It can’t be more than 114.
A return to aforementioned venues could have caused people to be caught napping on the job. Across the street lies Dilpasand Restaurant (111-113 Commercial Road, Whitechapel, London E1 1RD England).
Dilpasand was busy. There was no acknowledgement of our entrance or any guidance to a table. Tables in the light, at the window, had yet to be cleared. It seemed to take an age to secure a menu, and even longer to relay our Order. In this heat, a welcome jug of chilled water would have been appreciated.
On visit #1 to Dilpasand, Hector and Maggie shared the kilo whilst Clive tackled an enormous Keema Naan. Today, I suggested that the three of us share one Desi Keema Naan Lamb (£7.99). Determined to explore the menu further, Lamb Lahori Saag (£13.99) stood out. There was no surprise when Dr. Followed suit. For Clive, we found Seekh Kebab Karahi (14.99), in effect, a Keema variant.
The main course order relayed, thereafter: disappointment, confusion, and concern.
Our Bread order could not be accepted because the dedicated Chef was not on duty. The restaurant was busy, who was producing the Bread? Was this not an admission that all Bread being currently served would not be up to scratch?
Clive and Dr. Stan subsequently asked for a Garlic Naan (£2.99). That they desired one each appeared to be unacceptable. Hector does not do Garlic Naan, a Chilli Naan (£2.99) should suffice. Three Naan? We got there, eventually.
Drinks, did I mention it was 30ºC plus?
Clive ordered a large bottle of Still Water (£2.99), whilst Dr. Stan and Hector went down the Rubicon (£1.99) road.
You can have ice if you want it – the dim waiter assured us.
Please.
It never came.
Fortunately, the bottled water had been chilled. He did have to be reminded about the Rubicon.
Stowed when we arrived, new customers replacing the old, business at Dilpasand was steady, but then, their biggest rivals were closed. The wait felt appropriate. A different chap brought the food, we would have no more interaction with our original waiter.
The Naan were served whole, light in colour, maybe under-fired, but suitably risen and puffy. The buttery sheen made the Chilli Naan stand out, the sliced Green Chillies appear to have been added as an afterthought.
The Naan proved to be tasty in its own right. Excellent eating, so light, the Hector ate the lot. Most unusual.
Lamb Lahori Saag
Normally, the Hector would eat straight from the karahi, determined to see what was actually in it, the decision was made to decant.
A coloured, watery residue drifted to one end of the plate. This looked less like Oil, more Spinach water. Assuming, this had Flavour, it was duly mopped up, watery indeed. This interpretation for this Saag/Palak was midway between the two classic Curry styles. With the Herb Mash prominent, there was still more than a hint of Masala, as proven by the presence of Tomato Seeds. A decent kick, the Seasoning was at a low level which can be typical of a Saag/Palak. The well-Seasoned Naan came to the rescue here. Otherwise, the hoped for Earthy Flavour was at a minimum.
Nine pieces of Meat, most of them large, a decent portion, not forgetting the mass of Spinach. The Lamb had a fibrous Texture, one day I shall identify this cut. Some Meat was decidedly chewy whilst others were super-soft, on the edge of turning to pulp. A working pot then, being replenished as necessary.
The lack of Flavour became noticeable. The Meat was giving nothing back other than its own Flavour. The watery Spinach, the low level of Seasoning, compared to what is served at Akbar’s (Glasgow), today’s Curry was second division stuff.
That was poor – I said to Dr. Stan – too watery, the Meat was incidental.
He concurred, accepting that this was nowhere near as good as the equivalent Curry served at Akbar’s, the Curry which began Hector’s current obsessive intake of Spinach.
Meanwhile across the table, Clive was having a completely different experience.
Seekh Kebab Karahi
How many Seekh Kebab had been used to create this shall remain an unknown pro tem. The sheer volume presented must surely impress. Seekh Kebab smothered in Keema. Reviewing from the perspective as a Keema Karahi, this ticks the boxes: the Dryness, the absence of peripheral Oil, Minimal, if any, recognisable Masala. Add to this, the visible well-fired extremities and the presumed Herb content of a Lamb Seekh Kebab, then this creation has it all.
A very good level of spice – was an early remark by Clive. He later added:
Excellent, next time I see this on a menu, I shall be ordering it. The meat was cooked to perfection. The outside had been grilled just enough to add flavour.
Why did a Soupçon not come in Hector’s direction?
Had Clive not discovered the Seekh Kebab Karahi, then a return to Dilpasand would never have become a consideration. Given how rare visits to Whitechapel are, it could be some time. Lahore Kebab House will always be the #1 attraction, but has it gone for good?
Yet another waiter cleared the table, he raised a smile, the only sense of a welcoming acknowledgment throughout our visit. Even the chap who took payment was sullen.
The Bill
£58.91
The Aftermath
A shorter walk back along Commercial Road to Aldgate East, then a 45 minute journey to Putney in an air conditioned train, featuring a most annoying wean: Mummy, Mummy, Mummy!
Dilpasand 2026 Menu
