When a close friend of mine came to visit from Malaysia and he suggested going out for an Indian meal, Drummond Street came to mind. Drummond Street is just behind Euston Station and has plenty of Indian restaurants.

Massala Hut has recently been refurbished. The decor is dark wooden furniture against a white tiled floor. The chairs were pretty funky with their space age like frame. There was a TV screen on in the background playing Bollywood songs.

There were plenty of staff on hand, but at times it felt like they were just hovering around the restaurant and the diners. Saying that though, they didn’t bother us and didn’t rush us with our meal. The staff were friendly and efficient.

For something to nibble on, we had the vegetable samosas. They were fairly small but tasty. The pastry was crisp and the vegetable filling was delicately spiced.

Rice was what I felt like that day and so I had the vegetable biryani. This dish was cooked with saffron and mostly had potatoes and onions. It was slightly greasy which was disappointing. It was served with some vegetable curry and this did make a good accompaniment.

The fish achari that my friend had was served in a little balti style dish. It was supposed to be a really spicy dish, but he wanted it to be a little less hot. The waiter said that it would be fine, as long as he just didn’t eat the whole green chillies in the dish.

Massala Hut was an average restaurant but maybe it was just my choice of dish that made me think this.

Massala Hut, 161-163 Drummond Street, London, NW1 2PB

Rating: