Karine Laudort 
Last week, I was invited to visit Colonel Saab once again, to indulge in their British and Indian fusion afternoon high-tea. As it was Afternoon Tea Week recently, I thought this would be a fabulous idea and mainly because I absolutely loved my previous dining experience there. It was definitely an offer too good to resist.
As I have already visited and written about Colonel Saab, to find out more about the intricate details of the establishment and their daily menu in its entirety, please feel free to read my previous review about my first ever visit here.
One thing that really makes Colonel Saab a great restaurant is not only the amazing food and exceptional service but also the building it lies in. Located in the former Holborn Town Hall where there was an old public library, what better establishment to bring the building back to life than the restaurant that is inspired by the travel tales of an Army Officer with his wife across India?
As soon as you step into the building, you are instantly in awe of the elaborate decorations and carpets all taken from owner Roop’s parents’ home. Roop took on himself to share with my friend and I, the story that lies behind all the ornaments. It really felt like were stepping into an exclusive part of his family history, which not only enriched the fantastic experience Roop and his team, but it also made my visit even more exciting knowing I learned something new.
Everything within the restaurant is so beautifully put together down to every single detail; From the elaborate chiffonier to the enchanting paintings on the wall, it feels like you are immersed into a completely different reality which is what makes dining at Colonel Saab so significant.
As we were having their afternoon tea, it made deciding on what to eat much easier, as there was a fantastic selection up for grabs for those after their high tea, with options to upgrade your Afternoon tea with Prosecco, Champagne and even their speciality; the 3 C High Tea, (Chai-Charlie-Champagne) which includes a variety of excellent chai and three of Taittinger’s most popular champagnes – Brut, Rose and Nocturne. So no matter the occasion, there is a variety of different afternoon teas to choose from.
With a sensational array of different sandwiches, scones, macarons and cakes, the afternoon tea menu really did not miss the spot. As I have never tried British and Indian fusion tea before, this was a whole new experience for me to take in and even before our food arrived, my mouth was watering. One thing that is great about their afternoon tea also, is that is very fairly priced- For one person it is £25 and for two people it is £48, so it is very reasonable for the amount of food and drinks that are up for grabs.
On the first tier of their British and Indian Fusion Afternoon tea, there was a mouthwatering selection of finger dhokla sandwiches with coriander and mint chutney, and onion bhajia sprinkled with pickle chaat masala. The second tier had freshly baked raisin scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam and homemade coconut and earl grey cookies. Lastly, the final tier had a gorgeous selection of tea cakes and Macarons flavoured with Saffron and rose shrikhand.
Starting off with their finger dhokla sandwiches with coriander and mint chutney; These are a speciality and very popular in India and after eating them, I definitely know why they are! The sandwiches were super light and had a sensational mild flavour. The coriander and mint chutney definitely added some gorgeous flavour into the mix and overall the sandwiches are a fabulous way to kick start our Afternoon tea at Colonel Saab.
Of course not forgetting the onion bhajia that came alongside them with a pot of pickle chaat masala, this was a delicious addition to the first tier; With a gorgeous mild but tangy flavour and a perfect crunch, the onion bhajia were amazing and I’d love to have it again.
Next up, we had their wonderful selection of raisin scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam as well as their homemade coconut and earl grey cookies. Everything on this tier was fabulous; From the delicious, crumbly scones to their cookies that paired perfectly with some spiced chai, this was a great second tier to indulge in.
Lastly, we have the final tier which included tea cakes and macarons flavoured with Saffron and rose shrikhand. I find that the tier i look forward to the most is this one and wow, this was utterly amazing. The tea cakes were fabulous; Beautifully soft and full of flavour. The macarons were spectacular; Crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside which went down extremely well with a pot of tea.
Overall, my second visit to Colonel Saab definitely exceeded expectations set from last time; From the exceptional service provided by the waiters to the fabulous afternoon tea, i must admit the experience was fabulous and I will definitely be visiting again shortly.
All in all, I couldn’t recommend their afternoon tea enough. If you are looking for something a bit more unique to the average Afternoon tea, why not head on down to Colonel Saab and try this incredible British and Indian fusion high afternoon tea that will you sweep you off of your feet? Whether you are meeting up with friends or planning a big celebratory dinner, Colonel Saab is your go-to.
If you want to find out more about how my first visit at Colonel Saab went, please click here and if you are thinking to visit Colonel Saab in the near future, all the information you need is down below!
Colonel Saab Address: 193-197 High Holborn, London WC1V 7B
Menu: colonelsaab.co.uk Phone: 020 8016 6800
