Chef Avi Shashidhara, who appeared on Great British Menu in 2023, is bringing a taste of India’s vibrant pub culture to Shepherd’s Bush with the launch of The Talli Queen. Taking over the former Queen Adelaide, a pub with 120 years of history in the local area, the new opening will combine the warmth and familiarity of a traditional London pub with regional Indian food, design and hospitality.

Ahead of the launch, The Pub Show caught up with Avi to discuss the inspiration behind the concept, his approach to preserving the character of the building and a menu spanning Papdi Chaat and spicy goat sausages to Kerala duck curry and chargrilled Cornish lamb chops.

What inspired you to move into the pub sector, and why does this feel like the right moment to open The Talli Queen?

I grew up in Bengaluru, which has always been known as India’s pub city. My memories are of relaxed, sociable places where the food was every bit as important as the drinks, from spicy finger food to Sunday brunches with appams and dosas. That same spirit runs through toddy shops, military canteens, Goan beach shacks and neighbourhood bars across India. I like that a pub offers a certain freedom that a traditional restaurant doesn’t: people can drop in for a pint, stay for dinner or spend an afternoon with friends. People increasingly want informal, characterful spaces where they can eat and drink well.

How will the pub bring together diverse regional Indian influences and design while ensuring The Talli Queen still feels like a London pub?

The Indian influences are layered and personal, drawing on my experiences of eating and drinking across Kerala, Bengaluru, Lucknow and Rajasthan. Pieces sourced from Jodhpur and Red Levanto marble from Rajasthan will sit alongside original wood panelling, fireplaces, reclaimed British pub furniture, leather banquettes and a welcoming central bar. London’s identity has always been shaped by many different cultures, so bringing these elements together whilst retaining the familiarity of a proper London pub feels like a reflection of the city.
 
What drew you to the pub building and the area, and what aspects will you be preserving or updating?

The former Queen Adelaide has been part of Shepherd’s Bush for 120 years and was known simply as “The Queen” by generations of locals, so it already has a strong identity and place within the neighbourhood. We’re evolving rather than reinventing the building, retaining its original wood panelling, fireplaces, skylights and arched windows while introducing a new open kitchen, dining room and landscaped terrace. We want it to feel refreshed while preserving the warmth and character that made it a beloved local pub in the first place.
 
How will The Talli Queen engage with and celebrate the local area and community?

We want The Talli Queen to be both a genuine neighbourhood pub and a dining destination, with the flexibility for locals to visit for a drink, a bar snack, a full meal or a family Sunday lunch. Feedback from the local community will be hugely valued as we settle in, helping us shape a pub that feels relevant to the area and becomes a place people genuinely want to return to.

How have you approached the food offering at The Talli Queen?

The menu is centred around a custom charcoal grill and tandoor and is designed to be ordered freely rather than in traditional courses, from freshly baked breads, snacks and small plates through to larger dishes and generous sharing cuts. It draws on India’s diverse regional cooking traditions, with dishes including Papdi Chaat, Spicy Goat Sausages, Kerala Duck Curry with coconut, pearl onions and fennel seed, Malwani Tiger Prawn Curry and Chargrilled Cornish Lamb Chops with stone flower, rose petals, black cardamom and lemon.

Find out more at thetalliqueen.co.uk

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