Delhi Grill in Chapel Market, Islington
Like most city dwellers, Jon and I receive a lot of unwanted takeaway menus dropped through our post slot. And like most people, we recycle the vast majority without a second glance.
Unusually, though, back in August, I saved the Delhi Grill‘s takeaway menu from the recycling bin because of (1) its limited, focussed menu options; and (2) its statement that they wanted to bring Whitechapel to the ‘hood.
A few days after I saw Delhi Grill’s menu, I was walking through Chapel Market and spotted an outdoor grill set up by Delhi Grill — clearly a cosmic signal that I ought to try out the stand’s offerings of custom-order kati rolls and potato-onion pakoras.
lamb kati roll at Delhi Grill's Chapel Market stall on Sundays (£3)
potato-and-onion pakoras
I ordered a lamb kati roll, which was basically sheekh kebab hot off the grill, wrapped in warm, soft roti. It wasn’t as deliciously-dense and flavorful as the ones I’ve had at the Kati Roll Company, but it was pretty darn good. At £3 a roll, it’s a filling lunch, especially if you add an order of pakoras, which you should do. Somehow the pakoras retained their crispiness despite not being fresh from the fryer, and I enjoyed the hint of sweet spiciness from the paprika and chilli mixed in.
Despite our positive experience with Delhi Grill’s Sunday grill stand, it took me months to finally return to Delhi Grill for dinner. Last Saturday, we gave it a go.
sheekh kebabs (£2.50 for two pieces)
chilli chicken wings (£1.95 for 4 pieces)
grilled lamb chops (£2.95 for 2 pieces)
Grilled items as starters were generally very good. Sizzling, juicy, well seasoned. The lamb chops could have used more marinade and fat, but I say this as someone who always prefers a wet marinade to a dry rub.
fish pakoras (£3.50 for 4 pieces)
Fried foods were very good, too, though you could accuse all the fried dishes of tasting the same because the chilli-paprika seasoning in the batter seems to stay the same, whether the pakoras are fish or onion.
biryani (£7.50)
Chicken biryani was a special of the day, and this was the low point of our evening. The biryani had wonderfully-fragrant flavoring and texture, striking a nice balance between being moist and fluffy, but the dish was inexplicably served lukewarm. Considering how hot and straight-from-the-kitchen everything else tasted, we were surprised that the biryani had been allowed to cool off before being served.
roti (£1) and naan (£1.50)
Overall, our dinner at Delhi Grill was delicious and cheap (£30 for two, including beers), and I’m thrilled that it opened in the ‘hood. Special shout out to the guy making the rotis right in the dining room. The set-up is saved from gimmick by the simple fact that the rotis are excellent.
- For other reviews of Delhi Grill, you can click on the Urbanspoon link below, but one review that’s not on there and that I’d highly recommend is this one from a month ago by Kavey Eats.
Delhi Grill, 21 Chapel Market, N1 9EZ; 0207 278 8100; closest Tube station: Angel
To read about other restaurants I like in Islington:
Frankie Katti Roll looks tempting.
Oh, thanks and I must have forgotten to add the Urbanspoon link, I’ll go and do that now.
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Your post confirms what I’ve read about this place so far, I’m definitely going to give it a try. Prices seem very reasonable too.
I tried Delhi Grill a couple of weeks ago for lunch and really enjoyed it – nice to have a decent Indian place centrally located. However, service was reeeally slow on that occassion.
I was a tad disappointed when I ate there, but I could see it has room for improvement, so will try it again before I pass judgement.
Oooh… the prices are very very good for the starters… A bit of a trek for me but I’ll keep it in mind if I’m in the area.
@Mr. Noodles – Definitely looking forward to hearing what you think.
@Greedy Diva – Good to know that service can be slow. On the Saturday night we ate there, the place was packed but service seemed to handle the flow very well.
@Mzungu – What was disappointing?
@Su-Lin – the prices are definitely reasonable. And yes, Angel is def a schlepp from the W postcodes. (I feel similarly about Shilpa, which I love, but which is just too far to go despite my regular cravings for their prawn moilee and Kerala parathas).
It sounds and looks great – especially those kati rolls.
Many thanks for this review – we wouldn’t have tried Delhi Grill otherwise.
We’ve travelled to Brick Lane (Aladdin) and Vauxhall (Hot Stuff) for Indian previously, but this place is a 10 minute walk, and justy as tasty. I really appreciate the focused menu – less than 20 items. My Bangla beer was a little stronger and darker, and went well with my lamb dish. Excellent addition to N1!
[...] and suffering from morning sickness). On the home front, we made our first of many trips to the nearby Delhi Grill. I can’t be bothered to go to New Tayyabs anymore, now that the DG is so close by. We [...]
One of my favourite Indian places in North London. Great food and very reasonable prices. I wrote a review about it too.