Restaurant Review: Brigadiers Indian Restaurant. Homeboy and I booked Valentine’s lunch at Brigadiers Indian Restaurant, which was a real treat. The emphasis is on barbecue cooking, including tandoors, charcoal grills, rotisseries, wood ovens and Indian smokers. If you’re looking for the best Indian food in London, places to eat near St Paul’s or Indian restaurants near the Monument, book a table at Brigadiers.
“Brigadiers is inspired by the army mess bars of India frequented by military regiments. It’s a great place to experience top-notch Indian barbecue cooking, drink whisky from a vending machine and play a game of pool in theatrical surroundings.” Homegirl London
I know that not everyone can make it to London for a meal. If you live in a Greater London area such as Croydon and want to dine at a similar type of restaurant and experience, try Tindli, Croydon’s favourite Indian restaurant.
Brigadiers Indian Restaurant Al La Carte Menu
We found enough vegetarian dishes (Homeboy also wanted fish) on the Al La Carte menu to keep us happy. Kick off your meal with a tray of Pappadums and Chutneys, which is visually appealing. This is quite large, so perfect for a group of four people.
Pappadums and Chutneys
We tried the Arbi and Aloo Tokri Chaat as a starter. This looked amazing and certainly lived up to its appearance. The grated potato basket was perfectly crisp and golden, filled with spiced ingredients and a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds. We tried the Lotus Root and Puff Chaat, which was excellent; I loved it. Other starters included Fried Masala Aloos, Cheese and Onion Bhajias, Goat Belly Vindaloo Samosas, Original BBQ Butter Chicken Wings and Haryali Prawn Skewers.
Arbi and Aloo Tokri Chaat
Homeboy selected the Tandoori Salmon Tikka, which he said was incredibly good. Meaty mains included Achari Beef Shortrib and Rack, Nepali Bhutwa Lamb Belly Ribs and Tandoori Lamb Chops. A big meat dish to share between the two is the Mixed Grill Sizzler. Kebabs, steak, ribs, chops and chicken are all featured on the menu.
Tandoori Salmon Tikka
I went for the Wood Roasted Chettinad Aubergine, served on a Channa Daal bed with Mango Ginger Raita. The presentation was pretty, and the taste was very pleasing indeed. Another veggie option was the Vegetarian Sizzler featuring Malai Portobello Mushroom, Paneer Shashlik, Tandoori Gobhi and Beetroot Tikki.
Chettinad Aubergine
Sides include the Bread Basket filled with a selection of Indian bread, including Chilli Cheese Naan. I ordered a Pinenut and Onion Pilau, which I didn’t need because we were getting full. But I was glad I tasted this; it was delectable, one of the most delightful pilau dishes I’ve had. The Daal Makhani tasted home-cooked and comforting.
Bread Basket
Desserts are soft serves. We shared the Chocolate, Peanut and Gur Softserve, which was lush, and it was gone in a flash. Other options are Rhubarb and Custard Kheer, Banana and Yoghurt Kulfi and Coconut and Winter Fruit Falooda.
Chocolate, Peanut and Gur Softserve
If you’re a whisky fan, you’re in for a treat because the bar is fully stocked. There is a self-service machine in the pool room and the Whisky Trolley! You can try Cask Old Fashioned, Johnnie Walker Green Label, Rampur from India and other famous brands. Cocktails, Non-Alcoholic Cocktails and Mango Lassi, are also available.
Soft Drinks
To give you an idea of food price points, the Snacks are £3.50-12, the Starters £7-12, the Mixed Grill Sizzler £60, the Mains £13-36 and the Desserts £7.50. This is a premium restaurant, so it’s not cheap, but I thought our bill was reasonable considering the high standard of cooking, interiors and attentive staff. We only had soft drinks, so if you’re drinking, then the bill will be expensive.
Brigadiers Indian Restaurant Interiors
Restaurant Interior
The restaurant is much bigger than it looks, with 140 covers plus 34 on the terrace. There are several rooms, including the dining room, taproom, pool room and terrace. If you want to book private dining, the bidi, kukri and potluck rooms are waiting for you. The interiors take their cue from Indian art deco design. It’s opulent and lavish, with red walls, red velvet curtains, golden ceilings, marble floors and military portraits. Keep your eyes open for the monkey wall lights. This restaurant is perfect for a business lunch but also for a cosy date night.
Brigadiers Indian Restaurant Bloomberg Arcade London Information
Restaurant Exterior
To find out more, go to the Brigadiers Website. The restaurant address is 1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR. The nearest station is Mansion House (Circle and District Lines), Cannon Street (Train, Circle and District Lines) and Bank (Circle, Northern, Hammersmith and City Lines). Check the website for restaurant and bar opening times. It is best to book a table, but they keep the pot luck room available for walk-ins, so you might be lucky. They show live sports and screenings at the venue, so check online for information. Don’t forget to play a game of pool while you are there!
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Food and exterior images by Homegirl London, interior pictures from Brigadiers. Thanks: Homeboy, for being my Valentine’s date! Thanks to the manager for being super helpful and showing me around the restaurant. This post includes a sponsored link.
