Farzi London | Restaurant Review

Place: Farzi London
Location: 8 Haymarket
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Sunday, 4 August 2024

I’ve recently downloaded the First Table app on my phone, which offers 50% off deals at restaurants for a minimal fee. To treat MIL before she headed back to India, we decided to dine at a nice, fancy place in central London and found Farzi on the First Table list. We’ve been to Farzi in Hyderabad before; it’s a cozy place serving fusion Indian food, so we were excited to try it here in London.

We booked a table for 8:30 PM on a Sunday night. Upon arriving, we were seated at a table towards the back end of the restaurant. It’s a large venue with two levels of seating. It was sparsely crowded this evening, with about five other tables occupied. Dimly lit, the interior reminded me of the Hyderabad restaurant — cozy and comforting, just the way I like it.

They had a simple menu (nothing fusion about it). As part of the First Table offer, we were required to order drinks for each of us, with no discount, to avail the 50% off the food So we ordered a Mango Cosmo for wifey, Farzi Nimbu Paani for MIL, Chai Lychee for myself, and a Mango and Passion Fruit Lassi for the lil one. We also ordered their Chevre Kebab and Angara Paneer Shaslik as starters. (I actually wanted to try their Okra & Baby-Corn Feet, but they didn’t have it.)

All the drinks were good, and I really liked my Chai Lychee made with lychee juice and coconut milk. I’m a fan of coconut-based drinks, so this was just perfect for my taste. I could taste more mango than passion fruit in the Lassi, but it was equally good.

They served complimentary Dholka pieces, which was an ice gesture. These were soft and decent.

The Chevre Kebab was served soon. It was essentially a chunk of goat cheese fried to perfection. While it was oozing oil, it tasted delicious — after all, what’s not to like about fried cheese?😁.

The Paneer Shaslik came next — basically paneer tikka with a fancy name. The paneer was really soft and fresh, and perfectly marinated. The sauce was spicy, with a nice sweet tinge as an aftertaste. Another good dish.

While I was satisfied with both starters, I did notice that the portion sizes were pretty small. Considering this, we ordered a Smoked Palak Paneer Handi, a Dal Makhani, a Wild Mushroom & Tender Stem Broccoli Pulao, and a Saffron Pulao, along with a Bread Basket for the main course. I know that this sounds like a lot, but it was perfect for the four of us.

I actually wanted to order their Haveli Kofta, but wifey insisted on the Paneer. I’m usually not a fan of Palak Paneer, but I have to say that this was a really good dish. It was smoky, as the name suggests, and the paneer, along with the gravy, just melted in my mouth. I was pleasantly surprised and satisfied.

The Dal Makhani was rich and creamy, but it was too tomatoey for my liking.

The Bread Basket came with a Butter Naan, a Garlic Naan, and a Laccha Paratha. While the Garlic Naan and Paratha were nice and soft, I found the Butter Naan to be too thick.

Apprehensive about the portion sizes, I ordered two rice items, and I’m glad that I did. Additionally, MIL doesn’t eat mushrooms or broccoli, so we needed an alternative anyway.

The Mushroom and Broccoli Pulao, as the name suggests, came with chunks of wild mushrooms and broccoli stems. It was mild and quite tasty, with pleasant flavors. However, the quantity was again disappointing.

For one fourth the price of the other pulao, the Saffron Pulao was more satisfying. It was nearly the same, just lacking the mushrooms and broccoli (and salt). If there is a next time, I would just order two of these along with another subzi, maybe.

We were pretty stuffed and satisfied, so we did not order any desserts. We also wanted Amorino ice cream, so.

Overall, it was a pretty good meal — better than I had actually anticipated for sometime these fancy restaurants serve fu fu food at exorbitant prices. All the items were tasty, the service was super quick, and the ambiance was neat. I particularly appreciated the attention they paid to us. My only concern was with the portion sizes — like most fancy fine dining restaurants, the quantity of food doesn’t really match the price you are paying. But that’s probably because you’re paying for the fine dining experience. But at least it was tasty!

I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a nice dining experience in central London. And if you are going, don’t forget to get 50% off using First Table.

Food: 8/10
Service: 9./10
Ambiance: 8.5/10
Meal for 4: £92.56 (£6 for booking fee + £29.75 for the drinks + £56.81 for food including service charge and VAT)

Verdict: 8/10

Pappu da Dhaba | Restaurant Review

Place: Pappu da Dhaba
Location: 19 Adelaide Rd, Southall
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Sunday, 28 July 2024

On our way back from Wales, we decided to head to Southall, craving some good Indian food. Our first choice was Delhi Wala, a restaurant we’ve visited recently that serves authentic Punjabi vegetarian food at decent prices. Delhi Wala is definitely on my must-try list in London, and I hope to write a review soon. Unfortunately though, given that it was a Sunday, this place was closing early, and while looking for alternative options, we came across Pappu da Dhaba a little further down the road. I couldn’t be more glad that we found it, for this place is a foodie’s heaven!

This is a super small joint similar to what you’d find in India, nothing fancy. The restaurant had about ten tables, and in one corner, a Sardarji was freshly preparing dishes to order. Thanks to the in-house cooking, the place filled with smoke every time he added a tadka — Pappu da Dhaba is not a restaurant for the faint-hearted😅.

We settled down toward the back, closer to the cooking range (as it was the only table available). The tables were a bit small and crammed, covered with old plastic tablecloths. While it was a bit suffocating, there was a cooler fan facing us, which made things more bearable. However, I didn’t really care about any of this because the food being cooked smelled amazing, and I couldn’t wait to try it. We ordered the standard Paneer Butter Masala and Malai Kofta with some Tawa Roti and Naan.

In a few minutes, a large plate of salad with onions, cucumber, carrots, and radish was placed on our table. A squeeze of lemon, and I was ready to dig in!

All the dishes arrived at once, and because of the small table size, we struggled to fit everything on it, but we managed somehow.

Pappu da Dhaba - Malai Kofta

The Malai Kofta tasted delicious. The mixed vegetable kofta balls were soft and tender, melting in the mouth. The gravy had the perfect consistency; however, I felt it was a little too tangy for my liking. Despite this, it was a great dish overall.

Pappu da Dhaba - Paneer Butter Masala

The true winner, however, was the PBM. The paneer pieces were soft and fresh, making each bite a delight. The gravy was one of the best I’ve had in recent times — rich, creamy, and incredibly smooth. Every bite. was bursting with flavor, making it an absolute treat for the taste buds. It was simply yummilicious and left a lasting impression. (My mouth is watering just thinking about it!)

The Roti was soft and decent, while the Butter Naan was a bit too thick for my liking. However, I had no issues with the Garlic Naan I ordered for myself.

To further enjoy the gravies, we ordered some Jeera Rice. It was served soon, and tasted yum, although the cumin seeds were a tad burnt. But again, I was in no mood to criticize, as I was indulging in it with the delightful PBM.

We ordered a Lassi to finish things off, and a large Patiala glass full was served, reminiscent of the style at Punjabi Affair in Hyderabad. It was thick, not too sweet, and just perfect to our liking.

Overall, it was an excellent meal, albeit a small one. Both curries were outstanding, with the Paneer Butter Masala making a lasting impression on my palate. The service was friendly and super quick. Despite the passable ambiance, this is a gem of a place. I’ll definitely be dining here often!

Food: 9.5/10
Service: 9.5/10
Ambiance: 7/10
Meal for 4: £31.00

Verdict: 9/10

P.S. I did come back to Pappu da Dhaba within a week, this time with a few friends who feasted on their Butter Chicken, which they said was very good. I ordered the Paneer Butter Masala again, along with some Chilli Garlic Mushrooms.

The PBM was excellent, as expected. The mushrooms were also super tasty — perfectly cooked and sautéed in a tangy sauce. I was initially apprehensive about ordering them, but they did not disappoint.

I’m sure you’ll be seeing more versions of Pappu da Dhaba on my blog, and I hope it always lives up to expectations!

A2B London (Rayners Lane) | Restaurant Review

Place: A2B London
Location: 424, Alexandra Avenue, Rayners Lane
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Saturday, 13 July 2024

A2B, or Adyar Ananda Bhavan, is another South Indian restaurant we frequent along with Saravanaa Bhavan and MTR – it is usually a choice between these three when we decide to head out for dinner on a weekday. Located bang opposite Saravanaa Bhavan on Rayners Lane, A2B is a Tamilian eatery serving traditional (mostly) South Indian and North Indian cuisine.

The restaurant’s space is spacious and brightly lit, managed by an all-woman team on the floor. It was packed on this particular Saturday evening, and we had to wait about ten minutes before we settled down at a booth next to the billing counter.

We ordered two North Indian Thali (or A2B special as they call it) for myself and wifey, a plate of Idli and Vada for my mother-in-law, Set Dosa with Vada curry for our little one, and one-by-two Tomato Soup, and Mushroom Soup for the table. They had a special menu this evening, and we ordered a Veg. Cutlet from that.

A2b - Idli Vada

The Idly and Vada were served first, in less than five minutes. I didn’t taste them, but I observed that while the Vada was decent, the Idly was quite thick. MIL echoed this sentiment — she wasn’t so happy with the Idly.

A2B - Soup

Next, the soups were served. We’ve had their Mushroom Soup in the past and really liked it, and it didn’t disappoint today either. Creamy, with chunks of sautéed mushrooms, it was delicious. The Tomato Soup was equally delightful — again, creamy and well-seasoned, it was just perfect. Our lil one liked this better than the Mushroom Soup, mainly because of the croutons.😁

A2B - Set Dosa

The Set dosa was served next and was decent.

A2B - Cutlet

Their special Cutlet wasn’t bad either. It was a crispy, golden-brown patty, and the mashed vegetable filling was a bit on the spicy side but still good.

A2B - North Indian Thali

The thali came with a couple of pieces of Gobi Manchurian, Paneer Butter Masala, Mixed Veg., Dal, some Biryani, a Butter Naan, curd, pickle, and papad. For some reason, I remembered them serving another curry (Channa Masala) on our previous visit, but when I inquired, I was told that this wasn’t the case. However, they did mention that the katori sizes of everything apart from the PBM were smaller, and they offered to get us more of everything.

On taste front, the PBM was very good – the paneer was fresh and soft, and the gravy had a sweet tinge in typical south Indian style. The Mixed Veg and Dal were decent. The Naan was soft, just the way I like it. I believe they served their special biryani on the thali today (which isn’t usually the case), but I wasn’t complaining. Made in ghee, with loads of cashews and chunky vegetables, this is one of their best offerings and tasted delicious.

We were pretty much full after the meal, but wifey and lil one wanted some dessert. We asked for recommendations, and they suggested the special Fruit Falooda, so we ordered one.

A2B - Special Falooda

The way they described it, it sounded delicious. But to our disappointment, it was a rose syrup-laden, super sweet falooda with some cut fruits and raisins, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It was so sweet that we couldn’t even finish half of it.

Overall, it was a decent meal apart from the disastrous Falooda to finish. The Thali and soup were the best dishes of the evening. I’d also recommend the A2B Special Biryani. The ambiance is alright, and the service can seem a tad slow at times, with the team often appearing disorganized. However, they serve with a smile, which makes a difference.

If you haven’t tried it yet, I would definitely suggest you visit Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B) the next time you are craving some South Indian fare.

Food: 8/10
Service: 7.5/10
Ambiance: 7.5/10
Meal for 4: £47.80

Verdict: 7.5/10

Here’s my lil one talking about the soup!

Three Falcons | Restaurant Review

Place: Three Falcons Restaurant
Location: 1 Orchardson St, near Lords Cricket Ground
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family and friends)
On: Saturday, 15 June 2024

Influenced by the tons of Instagram reels, on a bright Saturday evening, we decided to drive into London to try this pub/Indian restaurant. Initially, it was just our family, so we called and made a reservation for four at 8:00 PM.

We reached the restaurant and, while we had a table, it was a high stool one right next to the door. We asked if there was anything else available, but we were informed that a large gathering had blocked most of the space and that we’d be moved to a better table once the group left. Reluctantly, we settled down.

The place was dimly lit and had the ambiance of a proper English pub. However, it was very small, with about 10-12 tables cramped close to each other. The Euros were on the TV, and a few patrons were sitting at the bar enjoying the football.

To start our meal, we ordered their Jodhpuri Mirchi Vada and a portion of Malai Broccoli.

The Mirchi Vada was served in about ten minutes. Four mirchis stuffed with potato filling, topped with sev and murmura, tasted pretty good. I would have preferred them to be a little spicier though.

The broccoli was moist and perfectly cooked, but I would have preferred a little more malai. Additionally, I thought the portion size was pretty small.

While we were enjoying our starters, a couple of friends who were nearby decided to join us. So we asked the staff for a bigger table, and luckily, the large group had just left, and we were then moved to a bigger table in the center.

Given that we had more people joining us, we ordered the Punjabi Samosa Chaat and the Murg Angara Tikka (for our non-vegetarian friend). We also ordered a couple of drinks, a coke and a juice for the lil one.

The Samosa Chaat was pretty good and probably the best of the starters.

Our friend enjoyed his chicken with no qualms. He said it was spicy enough for his liking.

For the mains, we ordered the Shahi Paneer, Kadai Soya, and Dal Makhani along with Tandoori Roti and Garlic Naan. We also ordered their special Seeti Biryani.

The Shahi Paneer was tasty; the paneer was soft and fresh, and the gravy was well-prepared. The Kadai Soya was disappointing; the gravy was too coarse and tasted more like a bhartha. The Dal Makhani, was delicious and the best of the lot — creamy and rich. The naan was okay, while the roti was a little too kadak for my liking.

Then came the special Seeti Biryani; it made quite an entrance, with everyone looking at our table as it was being served. It was essentially vegetable biryani cooked in a pressure cooker (just like we usually do at home), served with raita, papad, and salad. The waiter pulled up the seeti (whistle) on the table, making a loud noise and drawing all the attention. In terms of taste, it was pretty good — with loads of vegetables, it had a nice flavor to it. My wife, however, thought it was a little too bland, but it tasted perfect when paired with the Dal Makhani.

While we were contemplating whether or not to order any desserts, the floor manager (who was a Telugite) indulged us with their Gulab Jamun Cheesecake and Rasmalai. I loved the cheesecake; it had a really nice texture, and I could taste the jamun flavor in every bite. The Rasmalai was alright.

Overall, it was a decent meal. While all the dishes were satisfactory, the dal stood out. The service was hit or miss; we barely got any attention until we moved tables, and things improved significantly after that. Also, we struggled with the small and cramped tables.

However, the letdown of the experience was the pricing. I knew we were walking into something expensive, but I was honestly hoping for a meal offering better value for the money. Apart from the Biryani (which itself was £25 and not really worth it), all the other portion sizes were just about okay or smaller. Not even fine dining restaurants in central London (such as Farzi) are this expensive — and we were in a pub, for God’s sake! I believe they are banking on the Instagram fame at the moment, but I honestly don’t think any of it was worth it! Bottom line, Three Falcons is a pub/restaurant with a mediocre ambiance, serving palatable food at ridiculously expensive prices.

Food: 8/10
Service: 7.5/10
Ambiance: 7/10
Meal for 6: £181.97

Verdict: 7/10

PS: I don’t mind spending money, but I’d rather go to a fine dining restaurant to make it an experience. Spending about 160 quid at a pub for food is just not worth it and offers no value for money.

MTR 1924 London | Restaurant Review

Place: MTR 1924 London
Location: 3 Village Way E, Rayners Lane
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)

We’ve been dining at MTR for over a year now, and this post has been long pending. So, here’s a culmination of most of our visits.

For South Indian fare, everyone talks about Saravanaa Bhavan or A2B, but not much about this gem of a place. While the former restaurants originate in Tamil Nadu, MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Room) is a Karnataka-based franchise, serving authentic Kannadiga tiffins. MTR is an everyday brand for almost every South Indian, thanks to its ready-made/packaged food (not related to the restaurant anymore).

A bit of gyan here: South India has five states, and while most of us eat Idli and Dosa (among other dishes), each state has its own regional style. “Tiffin” (not to be confused with the confectionery here in the UK) is not a box, but a small meal or snack. We South Indians usually have tiffins like Dosa and Idli for breakfast. It is not typically a full meal unless you eat more than one or multiple tiffins.

Back to MTR, they have two branches in London: a dine-in restaurant in Rayner’s Lane and a take-away only joint on Kenton Road. We frequent the Rayner’s Lane MTR at least once a month. It’s a small, brightly lit restaurant with about 12 tables and a decent ambiance.

Let’s now talk about food!

MTR Rava Idli

Rava Idli, a dish invented by MTR back in the 1940s, is their trademark dish. Served with coconut chutney and vegetable curry (known as sagu), this steamed semolina rice cake is a typical Kannadiga dish. While I’ve had better in India, this one is still a decent dish.

MTR Vada

Their Vada is one of the best you can get in London. Crisp on the outside yet soft on the inside, it literally melts in your mouth.

Sambar Vada is another perfect dish. Delicious!

Their Masala Dosa is a little different from those at the Tamilian joints I mentioned earlier, but it is in a league of its own.

MTR - Benne Masala Dosa

Benne Masala Dosa is their most popular dish. Made with generous amounts of fresh butter, this is similar to Masala Dosa, but is smaller in size, and a bit thicker. What’s not to like when they is so much butter? 😁

MTR Poori

I love their Poori as well for they are really soft and light, and served with vegetable sagu.

MTR Onion Rava Masala Dosa

My usual favorite, however, is their Onion Rava Masala Dosa. While all other dosas are typically made with rice batter, this one contains more semolina (rava) and is much larger and thinner (Also, this is probably the only item where one serving fills my tummy 😜).

Bisi Bele Bhath and Khara Bhath are some other popular dishes that I love. Our lil one loves their Cheese Dosa which is super yummy. They also serve specials on different days of the week, for example, Mini Tiffins on Tuesdays and Akki Roti and Mirchi Bajji on Fridays. While I like all of these, their Mini Tiffins deserve a special callout as you get to taste small portions of their main delicacies.

MTR Badam Milk

They also serve hot and cold Badam Milk, but I’m a fan of their latter. Not too sweet, it is just perfect for my liking.

MTR Kesari Bath

For those with a sweet tooth, I recommend the Badam Halwa, although their Kesar Bath is equally good.

Overall, MTR 1924 is a hidden gem and a must-try for anyone who loves South Indian tiffins. While the place is run by Gujaratis, the kitchen is maintained by Kannadigas who bring authentic taste to all their dishes. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and the place is always impeccably clean, which adds to the overall dining experience. The service is super quick, and the staff is courteous, attentive, and always ready to help with recommendations. However, my only concern is that while the food usually lives up to our expectations, there are times when a few dishes are underwhelming. But thankfully, this is rare, and we usually leave with a happy tummy. The fact that it is easy on the pocket makes this a must-visit.

PS: Don’t expect this place to serve any North Indian delicacies and dishes like other South Indian joints do. They only serve tiffins (which means limited menu offerings), and that is what makes this place authentic.

Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambiance: 9/10
Meal for 1: £8 – £12

Verdict: 9/10

Bombay Chow Brasserie Northwood | Restaurant Review

Place: Bombay Chow Brasserie Northwood
Location: Haste Hill Golf Club, Northwood
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Saturday, 27 April 2024

Bombay Chow has been on my list for a while, but I was saving it for a special occasion. Come MIL’s birthday in April, we finally decided to visit on a bright Saturday afternoon.

Tucked inside a golf course, Bombay Chow is a nice, fancy restaurant. The decor is pleasant, and the interiors are well done. With easy access to the golf course from inside the restaurant, there were quite a few patrons walking in after a game. Anyway, we sat down on the sofa in one of the cozy corners.

While they brand themselves as an Indo-Chinese place, their Northwood menu is more Indian than Chinese. So, apart from one starter, we went all Indian. We ordered their Kung Pao Lotus Root and Charred Malai Broccoli for starters, Banarasi Kofta and Dal Bukhara along with Bombay Chow Kulcha, Garlic Naan, Tandoori Roti, and Veg Biryani to finish things off.

While we were waiting for our food to be served, the manager offered us a complimentary spicy mango-based mocktail. It was really good. My daughter accidentally spilled the drink halfway through, and to our surprise, they brought us another fresh drink. They honestly didn’t have to, but it was a nice touch of hospitality!

The Lotus Root was served in about ten minutes, and it was absolutely perfect. The Kung Pao sauce was tangy yet not too overpowering, complementing the tender stem perfectly. It was a great start to our meal!

The broccoli was served soon after, and it was good as well. However, a couple of pieces were a bit dry. Thinking about it now, a little more sauce or malai would have helped this dish stand out.

The main course was served after a short while. I did read a few reviews online stating that their portion sizes are small for the price, but I beg to differ as I found them decent.

The Banarasi Kofta was the pinnacle of our meal, with its creamy gravy and soft kofta balls. The gravy was rich and full of flavor, among the best I’ve had in recent times. I loved it so much that I licked the bowl at the end of our meal! Yummy!!

The Dal Bukhara was not bad either. It was creamy and smoky, with a hint of garlic — a perfect dal.Of the breads, the Kulcha was the best of the lot. Soft and stuffed with paneer, it complemented the kofta perfectly. The Garlic Naan, and Roti were decent as well.

So far, so good! The biryani did not disappoint either. With chunks of vegetables, it was full of flavor. Delicious! However, the quantity of this dish felt insufficient for the price.

Overall, an excellent meal. After reading so much about this place, it definitely did not disappoint. Service was really good; again, I was super impressed when they replaced the spilled complimentary drink. With perfect ambiance, it’s a great place for a nice party or even an every-night dinner. And contrary to what I thought, the place is actually easy on the pocket. I’ve already recommended this place to tons of friends and colleagues, and I think you should try it too!

P.S.: I loved this place so much that we ordered their PBM and Kofta along with some Naan and Biryani the week after our visit. While the food wasn’t bad, we were a wee bit disappointed as it wasn’t as great as our dine-in experience. I hope this was a one-off, and hopefully, we’ll have a better experience next time around.

Food: 9/10
Service: 9.5/10
Ambiance: 8.5/10
Meal for 4: £72.17

Verdict: 9/10 (Considering our takeaway experience as well)

Ram’s | Restaurant Review

Place: Ram’s Restaurant
Location: 203 Kenton Rd, Harrow
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)

We’ve frequented Ram’s on Kenton Road a few times in the recent past, and it happens to be my lil one’s favourite (don’t ask me why!). This is primarily a buffet restaurant with à la carte options. It’s a small place with tables cramped next to each other, which can be an issue as the restaurant is usually packed.

Their buffet is quite exhaustive. For starters, they have peas kachori, spring rolls, mini samosas, wet manchuria, chilli paneer, Gujarati patra, dhokla and a couple of other items. They also serve different types of dosa at the table.

For mains, it’s paneer butter masala, channa masala, mixed vegetable, surti undhiu (some Gujarati dish), jeera rice, white rice and sambar. Breads are served fresh at the table.

And for desserts, they have aam ras, shrikhand, carrot halwa, sooji halwa, and a couple of other sweets.

Ram's

While the food at Ram’s tastes good, my main issue is that the buffet selection remains the same every single time, with the dishes tasting almost identical on each visit. Additionally, their rotis have an unusual smell and taste, which can be off-putting.

That being said, Ram’s does have its merits. Overall, it offers a reasonably priced value meal, making it an attractive option for those looking for affordable dining. Furthermore, it stands out as one of the decent Indian buffet options in London, providing a satisfactory experience for those who may not mind the repetitive menu.

Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambiance: 7/10

Verdict: 7.5/10

Anandha Bhavan | Restaurant Review

Place: Anandha Bhavan
Location: 545 High Rd, Wembley
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Sunday, 30 June 2024

On a lazy Sunday evening, I was craving for some nice Italian food, but then, I thought about this new place in Wembley which served one of my favourite Indian dishes, so decided to head here instead.

It’s been a while since we came to Wembley for Indian food; the scene has changed a bit here, with a couple of new restaurants replacing old ones, and Anandha Bhavan (not to be confused with Ananda Bhavan or A2B) is one amongst the chain of Indian restaurants on the street. The place was neat (relatively new), and unlike most restaurants in the area, had people in it (which is always a good sign!). These guys have a huge menu offering specialities from every part of south India, so I was excited.

Mysore Bonda happens to be my (and now my daughter’s) favourite breakfast item, and there are not many places in London which serve this (the only other place I know of is Crispy Dosa in Hounslow). And this is what we came here for, so we ordered a plate right away.

Mysore Bonda

Mysore Bonda is a fried snack made mainly with maida and hung curd, and to my utter disappointment, these weren’t what they were supposed to be. To add to the horror, when I cut into one, I found uncooked batter inside – they weren’t even cooked properly! I immediately called for the waiter and they agreed to replace them.

A new plate was served, and while these were cooked properly, they still were not the Mysore Bonda I came here for. Instead, they turned out to be onion rava bonda with a bit of maida. They tasted alright, but they were still not the authentic bonda I wanted. However, the lil one didn’t really care and savoured them.

Dragon Paneer

We ordered a Dragon Paneer as a starter, and this was served while we were waiting for the bonda. This was a decent dish – the paneer was soft and fresh, and the masala was tangy with not much spice.

For the mains, we ordered a Raj Bhog Thali, Appam with Kaikari stew for wifey, and a Pesarattu for MIL.

Pesarattu

The waiter did inform us that this won’t be the Pesarattu we’d be expecting, which we kinda figured out after the bonda debacle. But MIL didn’t care much, so we ordered anyways. It was served first and didn’t look appealing. They filled it with podi while a traditional Pesarattu is actually filled with onions. I had a taste and it was mediocre at best.

Appam with Kaikari Stew

The appam and kiakari or vegetable stew came next. The appam was alright but the stew was too watery. We also couldn’t taste enough coconut in it.

Raj Bhog Thali

The thali came with dal, channa masala, mixed veg curry, paneer butter masala, roti, biryani and a few other condiments. I asked for a butter naan instead of the roti and they obliged. On taste front, the PBM and dal were good, but other curries were passable. I’ve never seen broccoli in a mixed veg curry before this btw! The biryani was decent, on the spicier side, and the naan was soft.

Overall, a ~~mediocre~~ disappointing meal. I came in with a lot of expectations, especially for the Mysore Bonda, but soon realized they listed items on their menu without even taking the effort to cook them properly – there are tons of videos on what and how a bonda is made, couldn’t they have watched them? Same with pesarattu, and even the stew. Having a long list of offerings needs to be backed by a good chef who cook them, but these guys seem to be lacking there. To add to this, the service was super slow with just a couple of guys manning about seven tables. Unless they improve, expect Anandha Bhavan to be replaced by another joint.

Food: 6/10
Service: 6/10
Ambiance: 8/10
Meal for 4: £42

Verdict: 6.5/10

Sagar – Leicester Square | Restaurant Review

Place: Sagar
Location: 37 Panton St, Leicester Square
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Saturday, 3 September 2022

After exploring the city with my brother and his partner, we decided to hog at Sagar located on Leicester Square. It was about 6:00 PM, so we were the only ones at the restaurant and settled down at a large table towards the end of the place. The ambience was alright, but the tables were placed too close to each other and made the restaurant look cramped.

After a long day, we were really hungry and ended up ordering a lot of food. We did a portion of Dahi Poori, a Gobi Manchurian, a portion of Mattar Paneer, Bhindi Bhaji, Fried Dal, a Batura, Stuffed Paratha, plain Paratha and a couple of Chapathi.

Dahi Puri - Sagar

The Dahi Poori was served in about ten minutes and tasted alright. I thought that the stuffing could have been better, and a little more tamarind chutney would have helped.

Gobi Manchurian - Sagar

The Gobi Manchurian was served next, and this was very good. The gobi was crispy, and the sauce was tangy. We were really impressed and hoping for a good meal.

The main course soon followed suit.

Mattar Paneer - Sagar

The Mutter Paneer was mild and tasted good, but I thought it was a little too tomatoey. Also, the paneer pieces were chewy.

Brinjal Bhaji - Sagar

While we had asked for Bhindi Bhaji, we were instead served Brinjal Bhajee because of some communication error. While they agreed to replace, we asked them to keep it, and this actually tasted good. The brinjal was well cooked and the masala was perfect. This turned out to be the best of the main course items.

Fried Dal - Sagar

The Fried Dal was good, nothing spectacular.

Batura - Sagar

Stuffed Paratha - Sagar

Paratha - Sagar
Of the bread, the stuffed paratha was the best, the batura was a little too oily, and the paratha and chapati were decent.

I was still craving more food, so ordered a portion of Chilly Paneer and Vegetable Fried rice, which were served soon.

Chilly Paneer - Sagar

Veg Fried Rice - Sagar

While the Fried rice was mild and palatable, the Chilly Paneer was a disappointment. The paneer was really chewy and the sauce too wasn’t great. Compared to the Gobi Manchurian, this was a big flop.

Overall, a decent meal. But for the Gobi Manchurian, nothing made an impression. I also felt that the dishes were aimed more at the English audience rather than Indians, and this was one of the reasons why we didn’t relish everything. Also, while the prices seem reasonable, the 12% service charge doesn’t match the mediocre service. Given the options around, I don’t think I’ll be coming back to this place again soon.

Food: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Ambiance: 7.5/10
Meal for 6: £81.84

Verdict: 7/10

Ananda Bhavan | Restaurant Review

Update: Ananda Bhavan East Ham has now shut operations.

Place: Ananda Bhavan
Location: 240 High St N, East Ham
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with amma, wifey, and our lil one)
On: Saturday, 23 July 2022

After a visit to the East Ham temple on the first weekend that amma (mom) was here in London, we were looking for viable dinner options. There was Adyar Ananda Bhavan right next to the temple, but for some strange reason, we decided to try this Ananda Bhavan opposite the temple. Soon we realized that this was a big mistake!

The restaurant is small and spacious, and we settled down at a table for four near the entrance. The menu was quite decent and we more or less decided on what we were going to have, but no one came to take our order for a long long time. And when they finally did, they said most of the stuff was unavailable; they didn’t have Thalis, no noodles, no tandoori items. After a long hustle, we finally ordered a portion of Veg. Spring Rolls as starters, an Onion Rava dosa for amma, Poori for the lil one, Veg. Kofta and a couple of Parotta for us.

Rava Masala Dosa - Anand Bhavan

The Dosa was served in about 10 minutes without any sambar (which was eventually served after another 5 minutes when we asked for it). The dosa was cold, and portions of it were undercooked. I wanted to call the waiter and return it but amma was so hungry that she decided to eat it the way it was.

Poori - Anand Bhavan

The Poori was served next alongside some aloo korma (no chutney). While the poori was alright, the aloo korma was very bland.

Kofta - Anand Bhavan Parotta - Anand Bhavan

A few moments later, the Kofta and Parotta were served. These looked palatable, but unfortunately, didn’t taste great. While the kofta balls were decent, the gravy was undercooked and this meant that we could taste the tomato. Again, we were so hungry that we decided to eat it without any complaints. Thankfully, the parotta was flaky and good.

Spring Rolls - Anand Bhavan

The Spring Rolls, which we ordered as starters, were served almost at the end of the meal, and they tasted terrible. Looks like they just bought a packet of frozen ones after we ordered for them. We couldn’t even eat a couple of them.

Biryani - Anand Bhavan

Given that the parottas didn’t fill our tummies, we decided to order a Veg. Biryani, which was served soon. This turned out to be decent with a lot of masala, but wish they added more vegetables.

Overall, a bad meal. But for the Biryani and Parotta, nothing else was worth mentioning. While the ambience was alight, the service was pathetic which made our experience even more miserable. I definitely wouldn’t recommend this place even for their South-Indian offerings.

Food: 5/10
Service: 5/10
Ambiance: 7.5/10
Meal for 4: £26.43

Verdict: 5.5/10