Rasa Samudra

I hadn't been to Rasa in ages and just went there for a business lunch. I had forgotten just how lovely it is. I was surprised that they had a table for 5 at less than a weeks' notice this close to Christmas, but they did, and this is unusual on Charlotte Street at this time of year. They were supremely pleasant and accomodating when making the booking.

Anyway, to the restaurant itself. It's very pink. I like this. Some have been known to call it 'womb-like'. Don't let that put you off your food. It's very cosy.

The staff are charming and attentive, without being overly so. Service is relaxed, and the food all impeccable. The menu is succinct, with an emphasis on fish and vegetarian dishes. We went here with a non-vegetarian, non-fish eater, and even she was raving about the food. Kingfish, tilapia, prawns and crab all feature heavily on the menu. Most dishes benefit from coconutty, non-greasy, lightly spiced golden sauces, and all of the breads and rice options are to die for. Parathas are home-made, fresh and served warm, and they fall apart pleasingly in your fingers. All of the food tastes home-cooked, and is really satisfying. It doesn't leave you feeling oily and polluted the way some Indian food can. I can't recommend it highly enough.

My one qualm is that I found the restauarant itself a bit cold, but the warmth and spice of the food soon took care of that.

This is the best of the mini-chain of Rasa locations. I especially recommend the Mysore bonda starter and the excellent uttapam, a form of Indian pizza.

This is an excellent place for genuine southern Indian food (not your average 'English'-style curry). The menu is largely fish-based, although there are also several vegetarian options. The food is delicious (although may be a little hot if you usually go for a korma...), and I especially love the mango sorbet dessert.

The staff are friendly and talkative, and the service prompt but unrushed. The interior is very feminine and pink (perhaps not to everyone's taste), and there are features that mark it out from a 'typical' Indian, for example the well-executed wall-size line drawing of a village festival. With friendly, well-behaved clientele in an atmosphere of effortless organistion amongst the staff, this would be an excellent place to bring a date... if she likes a good curry, that is.

The first thing you can't help but notice is the bright pink exterior of Rasa's restaurant. It looks like it should be on Old Compton Street, and doesn't quite fit in with all the posh but sterile bars around Charlotte Street. But, y'know, it gives the place some character, which I like.

The food here is not your average Brick Lane affair. It's proper Indian, rather than British Indian. Real curry made properly. It's also a fish and vegetarian restaurant too, so if you are looking for a lamb masala or chicken tikka bhuna, don't go here. Actually, do go here, you might then realise how good curries can actually be. Food is really good here, I can't remember what I've had in the past, but a lot of the fish dishes are very good. You don't be disappointed.

I'm not usually a wine buff either, but the house wine here is particularly good. The restaurant is usually pretty busy but always quite quiet in terms of noise, which means you will have a meal in relative peace without some guy in a suit talking into his mobile. The staff are friendly and helpful too, and will actually not talk down to you, even if you are a bit confused by the exotic menu.

The price is definitely on the expensive side, you can easily spend about £25 per person here (including wine, starters, afters), but you do get what you pay for, which is high quality, proper Indian food.