While Copenhagen’s temperatures have finally reached numbers that qualify as summer to the rest of the world, it’s hard to discern whether it’s actually oppressively hot, or if we simply endured a harsh enough winter to make 25 degrees feel apocalyptic. In any case, it certainly feels that way. And as the temperatures begin to rise, so does one’s appetite decline proportionately. So when my fiancé and I, both lovers of spicy cuisine in cooler temperatures, decided to try out restaurant Deep last week, I doubted our judgment for a moment – intentionally seeking out hot food in this weather seemed questionable. But once we reached Vesterbrogade 89 and the smells of curry wafted out onto the sidewalk, I knew we’d made the right call.

Deep is a family-run operation that specialises in authentic Indian cuisine, and that authenticity is apparent from the moment you approach: the first thing I noticed was a woman sitting outside who I took for the family matriarch. Aside from a few signs, however, the restaurant’s unassuming exterior would have been easy to miss if I hadn’t known where to look. As we stepped inside, however, we were greeted both with genuine warmth from the staff and by the restaurant’s classic Indian décor. Intricate wood panelling adorned the restaurant, offset by gold accents, while crisp, white table linens lined the tables.   

As we sat down and began to leaf through the menu, we were overwhelmed by the sheer amount of dishes. There is truly something for everyone at Deep: plenty of options for vegetarians and those with a wide range of tastes. While we perused the selection and struggled to choose, our server stopped by to check in – and with his suggestions, we finally settled on several dishes.

Every time I eat Indian food, I vow to try something new, but always end up going back to the same tried-and-true dishes. This time was no exception – I’d spent roughly half of the walk down Vesterbrogade promising myself that I’d branch out, but when it came time to order, I still couldn’t turn down the classic Chicken tikka masala. My fiancé opted for the Mutton cooked in spicy sauce. Just for variety’s sake, we also went for the Andey wali biryani, a fried rice dish with egg, the Anarkali butter chicken and naan bread.

Before our main courses arrived, we shared a basket of paratha, flat wheat bread fried with butter, and two mango lassis: a creamy, yoghurt-based drink that’s a staple for any great Indian meal.
When we received our main courses, we were pleasantly surprised by the presentation of the dishes: each one was served on a rack atop a candle to keep the contents hot, so we could linger as long as we wished without anything going cold. And linger we did, which was necessary considering the spiciness of the meal. While I’d enjoyed the lassi when it first arrived, I especially appreciated it now: the creaminess of the drink was the perfect antidote for the heat of the chicken tikka masala.

The chicken tikka masala also made me thankful that I’d stuck with tradition, as it was everything the dish should be: smooth, yet with just the right amount of punch and plenty of spice. My fiancé was quite pleased with the mutton as well, which was perfectly cooked, although its sauce was slightly less flavourful than anticipated.

But the butter chicken truly amazed us both: my knife cut through the meat effortlessly, which was so tender it nearly fell apart on the fork, and its gravy was perfectly creamy yet with a delightful heat we hadn’t expected. The biryani and naan didn’t disappoint either: neither was too greasy, and each provided a welcome mild interlude between the various meat dishes – although nothing could quite live up to either of the chicken dishes.

After a short break to regain our appetites, we finished off with dessert: chilled sliced mangoes and a bowl of Kulfi: pistachio and almond ice cream flavoured with cardamom. While the mango slices were sweet, simple and refreshing, the kulfi completely stole the show: delightfully creamy, slightly chewy, with a faint rose flavour and a hint of spice from the cardamom.

While the restaurant’s a la carte menu offers a variety of dishes at reasonable prices, their daily buffet is also a bargain at 99kr per person. And with their homey atmosphere and sensible service in addition to authentic food, Deep is well worth the trip for visitors and city residents alike.

Deep
Vesterbrogade 89, Cph V, 3539 3838, deeprestaurant@hotmail.com
Open: daily 15:00-23:00, buffet 16:00-21:30
Cuisine: Indian
Top Dish: Chicken Tikka Masala  
Price Range: starters 35-70kr, mains 78-125kr, buffet 99kr per person
www.deeprestaurant.dk