Saturday 22 August 2009

Rasa N16 - Stoke Newington

Leaving a week between eating at/reviewing a restaurant can develop perspective, and allow for a little revisionism. However, my impression of Rasa N16, billed as London's finest vegetarian sub-continental, has not altered greatly since Thor's day before last.

Val and I left very content*, full of wholesome South Indian homestyle cooking. The pre-meal snacks, chutneys (rich garlic, sour mango, astringent mixed vegetable, light, fresh coriander), and assorted poppadoms, banana chips, crunchy murukku, did more than stimulate the appetite. Starters of meltingly sweet plantains in a light batter, as well as Idli - steamed lentil buns with a stewy veg curry - kept up the eager anticipation.

The main events: Rasa Kayi, a spicy bean carrot, cauliflower and potato dish with a lovely undertone of fennel, tangy, mustard flavoured Okra and a rich, nutty ochre yellow daal, accompanied by sweet rice pancakes (Acchapam), as well as coconut and tart tamarind rice completed an eclectic and well balanced meal.

It gets busy, mostly with young Americans, and service, while polite and smiley is fast (veg takes little effort to cook - right?), but later in the evening or earlier in the week, it could be the ideal venue. Super VFM too.

High marks!

*albeit with a craving for Apple Crumble...(?)

FOOD (&DRINK): 4/5
SERVICE: 4/5
VALUE: 5/5
AMBIENCE: 3/5

willp2328 score: 8/10

Thursday 6 August 2009

Paradise Balti - August 12th


The table is booked! Aperitifs at Foggys from about 19:30 and then dinner at the Paradise from about 20:30.

El Presidente will be your host next Wednesday evening, as we continue our focus on the restaurants of Petersfield. In September we hope to try out a new Petersfield venue, rumoured to be called Madhubon. Couldn't find it using Google, but maybe someone has a phone number and has already given it a try?

Please let us know by e-mail to el.presidente@petersfieldcurry.org.uk whether or not you expect to be there. Looking forward to a great evening!