Husband-and-wife restaurateurs Harneet and Devina Baweja opened cult restaurant Gunpowder in 2015 to long queues and heaps of critical praise. Now, three years later, the couple have opened the Indian small plate joint’s first sequel.
Transported from scruffy Spitalfields to the gleaming One Tower Bridge development, it’s fair to say that Gunpowder’s newer space has lost some of its rough-and-ready charm. The thrown-together feel of the tiny original has been swapped for a much slicker vibe, combining leather banquettes, plaster-washed walls and 70s-style tiling. It’s also much larger and split over two floors, although a fantastic team of well-drilled staff manage to keep the atmosphere friendly.
Signature Gunpowder dishes have been joined by some excellent new additions. Don’t miss the moreish Madras-style chicken lollipops – essentially a moderately spicy chicken winglet, in which the bone acts as a makeshift lollipop stick (no fussing around with knives and forks here, thank you very much).
Fans of the original restaurant will be relieved to know that the classic dishes still pack a mighty punch. Gunpowder’s take on a toastie oozes with cheese, chutney and tongue-tingling spices, while the melt-in-the-mouth kashmiri lamb chops will have you licking the bones clean like a ravenous caveman. For dessert, try the Indian take on bread and butter pudding, pepped up with a shot of rum. You’ll also find booze elsewhere in the form of spice-laden cocktails, but there’s masala coke for the non-drinkers.
Affordable, fun and delicious, we think that this second Gunpowder is just as tasty as the first, and the larger space means bookings are accepted. No more waiting outside in the cold then.