Dishoom or The Ivy Asia?

[JustHereForTheShitsAndGiggles]

Have you been to either and if so what did you think? Food, service, atmosphere, value for money.

It’s for a big birthday. I can’t decide!

Ivy Asia. Can’t wait to go again

Ignore the snobs. Sometimes fusion food is exactly what you might fancy. I have eaten in both within the last few months (in Liverpool) and the food in both was excellent.

I think Ivy Asia felt more special. The food didn't feel or taste bought in or precooked. People were more dressed up there as well.

The food and service at Dishoom was excellent, but it felt more casual.

I'd pick Dishoom But I'd rather an independent.
Anywhere claiming to be covering several cuisines of different countries broadly described as 'asia' is never going to be specialised in anything authentic.

we like Dishoom, but also Mowgli - they have pretty fairy lights and swing seats as well as lovely food.

I like Dishoom but I agree it’s more a casual place I’d go with friends rather than for a big birthday.

I haven't been to either (sorry!) but I am going to Oudh 1722 next month for a birthday which I'm really excited about! The owner is Aktar Islam who has a 2 star Michelin restaurant in Birmingham (Opheem) and this is his first London restaurant. Have a Google for the reviews. Grace Dent loved it. 😊

Ivy Asia is more special for an event.

I have been to both but I prefer Dishoom any time. Though Ivy Asia was lovely but it’s two different cuisines really.

For really authentic, delicious Bengali food I would highly recommend Darjeeling Express. They also serve very nice cocktails.

I always chuckle when people mock Dishoom, as every actual Indian from Mumbai that I’ve eaten with there loves the food. And there have been plenty. But sure, the (Bangladeshi run) independents in Clapham or Tooting or Brick Lane have a more authentic take on the Bombay cafe style / street food ;)

For a relaxed, budget friendly meal that’s actually tasty it’d be fine. It’s not fine dining, Gymkhana would give you that. But at a higher price and with less authenticity. If you want authentic food from more than just Mumbai then jump on the Elizabeth Line to Southall. Ivy Asia is an entirely different, and worse IMO, proposition :)

Wow, totally split responses! The vibe is pretty important for this occasion - somewhere we can dress up and have a couple of cocktails. Dishoom sounds more casual which probably isn't what I'm looking for but I will try it out another time.

Thanks so much for replying everyone, I will book The Ivy Asia.

Dishoom delicious but definitely casual, do report back and have a fabulous time!

Have a look Chutney Mary (it’s just off PalMal….or was, it’s been about 18 mths since I last went).

I don’t know why some people here are turning their nose up at Pan-Asian cuisine. Even though London doesn’t specialise in it it is absolutely superb when done well. This is what Ivy Asia is about. I’d say Melbourne is the home of Pan-Asian & Chin Chin there is a real highlight.

We went to Dishoom in soho for a wedding anniversary. The food was lovely but we felt very rushed … big queue outside waiting for tables. Not somewhere to linger over a celebratory meal.

Thank you. You said it better than I did.
We ate at Ivy Asia for our 45th wedding anniversary. It might not have been authentic for one type of cuisine, but the food was exquisite, beautifully presented and in lovely surroundings.

It felt like it was a special occasion as well. I would definitely eat there again.

Why does it have to be authentic to be good?

Chutney Mary's menu looks amazing! I have actually just booked Sticky Mango. The menu looks more varied than The Ivy and it's overlooking Tower Bridge.

I think the Ivy chain always feels like a bit of a cynical cash-in on the famous name of the original when it's nothing more than a decent, fairly high end chain. Which is an okay place, but not the special experience people might be expecting. The Ivy itself was always a good quality but fairly un-pretentious bistro/New York club/diner type place that only became famous because its proximity to theatreland meant that loads of well known actors hung out there. People who think they are going to 'The Ivy' when they go to one of the provincial chain restaurants are not actually going to 'The Ivy' at all. The original restaurant in the west end has a private members club upstairs now for the actual celebs, because the main restaurant is always so overbooked with z list reality contestants hoping to be papped, and parties of 50 year old women from some boring town in Surrey on a birthday lunch treat before going to see some crap musical.

Whereas Dishoom isn't cashing in on attaching itself to anything mega-famous or aspirational. It just is what it is, and does its thing really well.

Colonel Saab (Indian) was lovely last year for my birthday. It has a few places in central London including Holborn and Covent Garden.

We lunched at Dishoom in Covent Garden and loved the food. Difficult to say whether it would be smart enough for you as it was a weekday lunch but, as I said, loved the food and we’re looking forward to returning.

I'm a big fan of dishoom, but would say ivy for a celebration.

I'm glad you've made a choice...off to Google sticky mango!

Mowgli is much better

The food at Dishoom is much better (though not actually that good IMO) but the service and atmosphere at Ivy Asia is better.

For a special occasion though, I wouldn’t choose either. If you outline the occasion, group and budget, I am sure some of us could make some other recommendations?

I was a little underwhelmed with Mowgli. We ate at the original one in Bold Street in Liverpool, and it was nice, but not fantastic, It certainly did not feel celebratory.

I think the Ivy chain always feels like a bit of a cynical cash-in on the famous name of the original when it's nothing more than a decent, fairly high end chain. Which is an okay place, but not the special experience people might be expecting.

That was not my experience at all @MrMurphysComeuppance
I don't think any cuisine has to always be authentic to be good. There is nothing wrong with pan Asian food. The meal we had was exquisite.

I went to Mowgli once. They made me sit on a fucking swing. The dirty bastards