Hason Raja is decent Central London curry house – quite a rarity so far from East London where many of the capital’s best Indian restaurants reside. Although it could never compete with that, if you can’t be bothered to hop on the tube, you can have a good meal here.

The Venue
Hason Raja is a lesson in OTT exteriors. A bit of an assault on the eyes, it certainly stands out on Southampton Row. The bold signage – complete with a large image of Bangladeshi poet Hason Raja himself – sits above a frontage made almost entirely of glass, filled with twinkling fairy lights and with a few plants sat outside. Inside is altogether more understated with the ubiquitous white tablecloth bedecked tables, a patterned carpet that’s a borderline eyesore and a neutral colour scheme of yellows and creams. However, the decor is lifted by the period features of the building in which it sits, as well as by some pretty light fittings, decorative flashes of art and colourful vases.

The Atmosphere
There aren’t many restaurants that positively benefit from being located in the very heart of London, but Hason Raja avoids the over-the-top hectic buzz that hinders many of its neighbours. Instead, the casual mix of local office workers, tourists and anyone looking to enjoy a night out in the area borders on the laid back. The staff are friendly enough and the efficiency of the service is good – particularly pertinent for those looking for a pre-theatre meal.

The Food
Hason Raja’s food may not be of a level where lengthy queues will form every night but it’s certainly better than many similar establishments in the area. The majority of the dishes are Anglo-inspired Indian dishes, with kormas, tikka masalas and biriyanis all making big appearances. Their chicken korma (£8.95) is a good example of the dish with plenty of chicken – most of which is tender – cashew nuts and a nice hint of onion in a creamy sauce with a pleasant coconut after taste. Alternatively the lamb biryani basmati comes with saffron-infused rice for £12.95 and is well spiced – but not hot – with a pleasant hint of almond, tender pieces of lamb without a lot of fat and a delightful aroma that takes the dish through the senses.

The Drink
As with many Indian restaurants, the drink selection at Hason Raja really plays second fiddle to the food with many people enjoying a bottle of Cobra or a soft drink as the couple of glasses of wine on offer aren’t at all inspiring.

The Last Word
Hason Raja hasn’t got a great deal to compete with in Central London, with so many tourist-geared, overpriced eateries in the area. It's definitely worth a visit if you're nearby and fancy a simple, no-frills curry.

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