Oudh 1722, a new restaurant in London, is a culinary journey through the Nawabi era of Awadhi cuisine. Chef Aktar Islam, known for his Michelin-starred restaurants in Birmingham, brings his signature style to this London venture. The restaurant's name, Oudh 1722, pays homage to the year the Nawabi era began, a time of luxurious and slow-cooked dishes. The menu showcases traditional Awadhi flavors with a modern twist, offering a unique dining experience.
The restaurant's layout is a charming blend of old and new. Housed in a listed Victorian townhouse near Borough Market, it was once a hatmaker's workshop and later the site of the restaurant Lupins. The interior features fancy murals and tapestries, adding to the eclectic atmosphere. The menu is a delightful mix of ancient and modern, with dishes like nihari (ox cheek in bone marrow sauce) and contemporary creations like mango chutney margaritas and stone fruit-infused old fashioneds.
The food at Oudh 1722 is a labor of love, with each dish carefully crafted and styled with precision. The menu features a range of dishes, from traditional street snacks like chaat and gilawat kebabs to vegetarian options like kaddu ki qorma and gobi mussalam. The flavors are rich and aromatic, with subtle notes that define Awadhi cuisine. The portions are generous, ensuring a satisfying dining experience.
One of the standout dishes is the mutanjan dam biryani, a fragrant rice dish with slow-cooked oxtail and sweet carrots. The ras malai, a soft cheese dumpling soaked in spiced cream, is a delightful dessert, and the nimish milk soft-serve with saffron, mango, and rose petal is a unique treat. The menu also includes a variety of curries, dal, and grilled king prawns, all prepared with care and attention to detail.
Oudh 1722 is a must-visit for food enthusiasts seeking a unique dining experience. The restaurant's combination of ambition and sincerity, along with its genuinely interesting cooking, makes it a standout in London's culinary scene. The staff's professionalism and the smooth operation further enhance the overall experience. While it may be Michelin-chasing, the restaurant offers a blowout feast that is both delicious and generously portioned, making it a memorable dining destination.
