We love Dishoom’s Permit Room. Bursting onto the Oxford restaurant scene last year, it’s made a big impression. And judging by our Christmas dinner there this weekend, its popularity shows no sign of abating.
But then its £39.50 sharing Christmas FESTIVE SPREAD menu (for four or more) is really exciting, with hugely generous portions – dishes continually pouring out of the kitchens. So we could see why it was so busy; punters, families, friends and shoppers piling in for a Permit Room Christmas, emerging replete and full of seasonal good will.
We kicked off with some delicious cocktails – the Permit Room Clover Club with its soft meringue topping which sticks to your lip but is worth losing your lipstick over, and the Premier Padmini Negroni infused with cocoa beans and pear, garnished with a square of dark chocolate which diffused throughout the evening. Very clever.
And then the snacks and savouries started arriving: chakli with a spiced tomato chutney, and the masala peanuts and their intoxicating mix of spices, chilis and coriander, the perfect accompaniment to the drinks.
The crispy spinach chaat is one of our absolute favourites, the fish chapali – flavoursome spiced, herbed patties, and the chilli chips thickly smothered in a spicy piquant sauce which were so moreish, a great way to start off the meal, everyone diving in, sharing and chatting, with more than enough to go around.
Already replete the mains were equally as appetising, and didn’t hold back on the portions – the turkey raan with all the trimmings – marinated, slow-cooked turkey leg with Bombay Potatoes, Masala Winter Greens and a curried gravy, the meat almost pulled so flaky and juicy (there is a jackfruit alternative for the veggies and vegans). Throw in the chilli sprouts – sticky with masala, pomegranate and lime.
Served with a jackfruit berry pulao and studied with barbaries and sultanas, a cauliflower moilee scented with turmeric, curry leaves, turmeric, , ginger spice and coconut milk.
The slow-cooked Dishoom black daal, might seem an incongruous addition but it really pulled the offerings together, with lots of buttery naan and Dishoom’s famous signature chicken ruby curry, perfect for fans of butter chicken or chicken tikka masala, lovely and creamy.
The conversation flowed, the drinks kept coming and we kept eating, piling our plates high. But as our lovely waiter Ranjeet had insisted at that we had a to leave room for pudding – we saved ourselves for the mince pie pudding (like a bread-and-butter pudding laced with mincemeat) and were justly rewarded.
Sharing some lovely wine to wash it all down, we were having so much fun we forgot the time and realised we were the last people in the restaurant.
Emerging back onto New Inn Hall Street, we congratulated ourselves on having picked somewhere so special, ensuring we had a festive, fun and unique evening, and a highly economic one at that. High fives all round.
So get down there, join in with the festive spirit and have a Christmas feast like no other, all for £39.50. A great start to Christmas!
But hurry because the FESTIVE SPREAD only runs until December 24. Permit Room Oxford is at North Bailey House, New Inn Hall St, Oxford OX1 2RP. Book here https://www.permitroom.co.uk/locations/oxford/
