Chant Krishna, Be Happy

On the first day in our new house we had help from some very, very kind friends who had helped us pack up a massive van and haul our belongings across South London. Once we'd thrown everything inside, hunger got the better of us and we decided to treat our kind friends to a slap-up meal in our new 'hood.We knew Tooting was full of good Indian restaurants, but we didn't expect it to be so easy to stumble upon one so quickly! Luckily we arrived before 7pm on a Saturday, because the place soon filled up to the point of turning away customers. We were tended to by a team of friendly and smiling waiters, who quickly brought drinks and light, non-greasy poppadoms with five excellent accompanying sauces. The restaurant specifically serves South Indian cuisine, so there were some unusual Keralan dishes mixed in amongst old favourites like butter chicken and tikka masala. For starters we had some of the best onion bhajis I have ever tried – not something I would usually order, but at our friend's request we tried some and were pleasantly surprised at how non-oily and tasty they were. We also tried dosas with sambar, pancakes made with rice and lentil flour filled with a filling coconutty paste. Although pretty full already by this stage, I had a fish moli curry with kingfish, and we also tried their Keralan fish curry, plus the chicken sixty-five and sag paneer for some greenery! The one reservation I had was that the food was all very mild and although great, was not quite spiced enough for my taste. Although the restaurant was turning away customers we didn't feel rushed in any way, which was also refreshing.The food was excellent and very good quality for the price. The whole meal, with starters, rice, chapati and beers all round, was £70 for the four of us – really quite incredible considering how stuffed we were. I would recommend this restaurant without hesitation for anyone looking for inexpensive and mouthwateringly authentic Indian food in SW17.

A User - 08/12/2008 | report this review