Rahul Amin: ‘I want to welcome people in and make them feel at home’

RAHUL has been making headlines with his £3 pint offering – urging locals not to “get mugged in Marylebone” by soaring drink prices. But his Indian eatery has much more to give than just cheap booze, serving up delicious traditional dishes alongside an array of inspired fusions.

Mind you’re not touted by enthusiastic neighbouring restaurants and you’ll be rewarded by relaxed, warm service in a modern bistro setting.

We settled into our seats and began to tackle the vast menu, promising street food, seafood, naan pizza, gourmet fusion burgers, burritos and, naturally, myriad curries – all clearly marked for dietary requirements. You’ll likely want to indulge in your first Cobra beer as you contemplate these pages and soak up the atmosphere.

We opted for potato pakoras and onion bhaji to start. With such a broad range of dishes on offer, you’d be forgiven for questioning freshness. But this was quickly clarified by a peek into the kitchen, where potatoes were being peeled and salad sliced to order.

Both starters were delightful, free from excessive frying and grease. The bhajis proved a particular highlight, with an unexpected depth of flavour and spice. Light and fluffy, they made perfect appetisers, accompanied by a sharp dipping sauce. Similarly, the pakoras melted in the mouth.

The Tofu Tikka bun and jalfrezi curry

The notion of a fusion burger couldn’t be passed up – we opted for the Tofu Tikka bun, as well as a jalfrezi curry. Far from an afterthought, the vegan bun was well-executed, with fillings marinated in a paprika-heavy sauce, topped with signature bhaji and an aromatic fusion vegan mayonnaise. I wondered whether the accompanying chips could have drawn on some of this culinary inspiration, perhaps being curried, or swapped for homemade pakora.

The jalfrezi was delightfully spicy and full of zest, complemented by stir-fried peppers and onion. In all dishes, there was a real sense of homemade craft and delicacy, great for summertime dining.

Rahul is making quite a splash with his mission to slash drink prices and get locals dining out again in the midst of the cost-of-living crisis. It appears to be working; during our visit a large group of 20-somethings were drawn in by the promise of beer at less than half the average London pint cost.

“People are afraid to come out, I get it – costs are high, especially around here,” said owner Rahul Amin.

“I got into this business because I want to welcome people in and make them feel at home, comfortably.”

Indeed, we left feeling very much like part of the family. You’ll come for the drinks, but it’s the well-balanced, considered culinary offering which is sure to keep locals coming back

Rahul Marylebone,
50 Paddington Street, W1U 4HP
020 72240954
www.rahulmarylebone.com