Rasa Travancore

I was going to was lyrical about this one and then read Joelle M's succinct and accurate review above. I agree wholeheartedly. I've moved out of Stokey, in fact out of London, and I do miss Rasa. Lovely atmosphere, interesting and delicately flavoured food. It's no surprise that Rasa has been successful enough to become a mini chain and spawn a cookery book. By the way if you're a fan of South Indian food and Stoke Newington then Shamsudeens, also on Church street, is worth a look too.

The first thing I love about this restaurant is the bright pink paint on the frontage of the eight Rasa restaurants in London. But the main thing is the food, which is wodely agreed to be heavenly.

I'm a fan of curries, but I get rather bored of 'English' standards like bland chicken korma and oily saag aloo. Rasa's fare is worlds apart - interesting and varied flavours from Kerala in southern India. On my last visit I had fish in a delicately cardomom spiced sauce which was delicious and the freshly made pickles and chutneys are excellent. You really get the impression that thought and pride go into the selection and preparation of the food here. Prices are reasonable too - less than £20 each for a very satisfying meal. The service was efficient and the atmosphere was pleasant with lots of 'mmmms' and 'yums' issuing from the people on the other tables.

Opposite is the first of the Rasa chain, which is an award winning vegetarian restaurant. Rosa Travancore serves meat and seafood, and just a few vegetarian options.

To discover a different side of Indian food from the usual curry house fare, you can't go wrong here.