This month we headed to Soho to try out Gopals. There is no shortage of likely pre-curry boozers in Soho, and we opted for the Dog and Duck, owing to its fine selection of ales. This small Nicholson's pub can get very crowded, but and apparently is famous for serving Constable, George Orwell, and Madonna. Not at the same time, obviously. The ales are certainly well-kept,and a mixture of Blue Moon and Bengal Lancers whet the appetite for what was to follow.
A short walk across the street led us to Gopals. This licensed restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere and is one of the smarter establishments we have eaten in, although with a slightly old-fashioned decor. Firstly, the dips. These were top-notch. Mango chutney? Present. Raita? Present. The ever-spicy Lime Pickle? Present, sir! The poppadoms were crispy and satisfactory.
On to the mains. I made a schoolboy error here, possibly due to over-indulging at the Dog and Duck, by ordering Murgh Tikka Makhani, which is essentially just chicken tikka masala. This was very much on the bland side, lacking any kick whatsoever, but was far from unpleasant, with a delicious variety of flavours. My colleagues ordered dishes including Butter Chicken and Lamb Madras, but again these were slightly on the mild side.
All in all, if you are in London and fancy a curry, you can't go much wrong with this place. My only reservation woudl be, perhaps because of the passing tourist trade, you may find your dishes slightly milder than you may like. Make that clear to the chef and they will stick a few more chillies in for you.
Curry: 8/10
Pub: 8/10
A solid combo.
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