Situated in the former Holborn Town Hall, Colonel Saab is in the heart of London between bustling Soho and Covent Garden.

Opened by award-winning Indian entrepreneur and hotelier Roop Partap Choudhary, Colonel Saab is named after his father who was a soldier in the Indian army. The menu and décor are inspired by Roop’s parents’ travels across India, along with childhood memories of his own. With influences from different parts of the country, the food is a diverse mix of traditional, home-style Indian cuisine and contemporary, unexpected twists.

The interior is grand and glamourous, with an opulent array of crystal chandeliers adorning the high ceilings and colourful Persian silk carpets and ancient paintings lining the scarlet red walls. In fact, there are so many family heirlooms and impressive artifacts, they could be charging museum entry. The team are warm, friendly and attentive and will happily talk to you about the fascinating stories behind the many treasures around the restaurant.

These days, restaurants need more than just a good menu to succeed, and Colonel Saab offers a unique dining experience with atmosphere, friendly service, faultless food and impressive surroundings.

Those samosas… crisp pastry on the outside and laced with spice on the inside. I’d happily eat a plateful.