130 Drummond Street,
Euston,
London,
NW1 2PA
(020) 7387 0606
The ViewLondon Review
Tucked away in a quiet basement on Drummond Street, this Indian restaurant is a million miles away from its traditional competitors… and all the better for it.
The Venue
Diners expecting traditional Indian background music and the usual tables dressed in white tablecloths are in for a surprise – this restaurant breaks all traditional conventions with its contemporary orange theme, sleek modern furniture and ‘90s pop music. Zeen is a basement restaurant which boasts mirrored walls, chic dark wooden tables with orange chrome chairs and geometric perspex lamp shades. The overall look is a mixture of ‘70s kitsch and sleek modern design, resulting in a venue with fresh decor which is comfortable and stylish.
The Atmosphere
One of the most important things about a restaurant (aside from the food) is the general atmosphere, and Zeen has a comfortable yet stylish vibe with friendly staff and a large open kitchen to boot. The ‘90s background music makes a strange choice, but then everything about this place screams unconventional, so the best advice is to just enjoy Zeen for what it is – a great restaurant.
The Food
Dishes at Zeen are light, elegantly presented and bursting with flavour. Take the poppadoms for example: miniature discs flavoured with punchy fennel served with deliciously sticky, smoky aubergine chutney with just a hint of spice - not your usual poppadoms at all.
The chilli paneer (£3.50) makes a great starter for vegetarians and meat eaters alike, and the presentation of the dish is impressive. The heat from the succulent paneer and pan fried onion and peppers works well with the sweet red pepper sauce and leaves diners with more than enough room for a main course. Fish lovers should sample the tandoori prawns (£4.25) which are nothing short of outstanding. The yoghurt coated prawns taste like they have been freshly caught and boast a strong chilli kick. These come served with a delicious homemade mint sauce which cuts through the heat with a zingy touch.
The Goan fish curry tastes authentic, with fresh and tender chunks of fish coated with a spicy, creamy sauce – both rich in flavour yet light in texture. Try this dish with a small side of perfectly cooked basmati rice and a chilli and cheese naan (£2.50), which is doughy and cheesy and topped with freshly chopped green chillies. For an alternative main, try the masala dosa (£6.95), a large rice pancake which has a distinct sweet and nutty taste. The dosa contains lightly mashed potatoes which are delicately spiced with fresh curry leaves and flavoured with fresh onion. This dish comes with two sauces, a spicy vegetable sauce enhanced with fresh coriander and a cooling coconut dipping sauce.
As the dishes are unusually light, make the most of the gorgeous desserts. Try the warm gulab jamun with ice cream (£3), a sweet, sticky dumpling served with a chocolate stick and homemade ice cream. The falooda (£3.25) is an amazing rosewater drink which is sweet, fruity and creamy without being too rich – rather like a Turkish delight in a cocktail glass. Highly recommended.
The Drink
There’s a large selection of drinks on offer, including bottled lagers, spirits and wine. House wine is only £2.95 by the glass, and £9.95 per bottle – the most expensive wine is under £20, and a glass of sparkling wine is £3.75. There’s also a good selection of non-alcoholic drinks such as mint tea, masala chai and coffee. Try a nice bottle of crisp Kingfisher (£2.50) for a true taste of India.
The Last Word
This is not your ordinary Indian restaurant. Food is elegantly presented, dishes are light and adventurous, prices are reasonable and the environment is sleek and contemporary with a nod to the ‘70s – well done Zeen!
Zeen has been reviewed by 2 users