where's good to eat out locally?

[civilservant]

you can do better than Sri Krishna in Tooting for good South Indian vegetarian food

try Saraswathy Bhavan (see http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d2213898-Reviews-Saraswathy_Bhavan-London_England.html) for dosas and uttappams

some Sri Lankans as well just down the road, for hoppers and string hoppers - Jaffna House, and Suvai Aruvi further up towards Colliers Wood

don't know Safa but will give it a go

[Jeremy]

Isn't Tooting a bit of a pain to get to from here, though?

[KidKruger]

Of all these South Indian restaurants, especially the vegetarian ones, which does the most authentic (= best IMO) 'Ready Meals' ?

[bunny2]

Don't know if anyone has been to the supper club at Susanne James in Barry Road. Been a couple of times and it is great. Good food and the fact you can take your own wine without corkage charges is even better. Not sure how often they have them but worth finding out. Good value too, the same food in a conventional restaurant would be at least twice the price.

[the-e-dealer]

I Looked at Susanne James for a party but found they didn't really cater for veggies.

[david_carnell]

Jaffna House is amazing.

Tooting is a bit of a faff but not dreadful. Bus to Clapham or Oval and then Northern Line. 35mins tops off-peak.

[corinne R]

Ohhh cannot wait for your next supper club Sue J..the best food I have ever had locally, and service was amazing too, a great combination with a good atmosphere (and the ability to bring along our own wine!) and my partner is vegetarian and we thought you catered for him superbly. Looking forward to seeing that menu..

[civilservant]

Tooting - an alternative route is train ED/Tulse Hill/Tooting then bus or walk to Broadway - also about 30 mins max

My South Asian connections rate Saraswathy Bhavan and also Dosa and Chutney http://dosanchutny.co.uk/default.aspx

Both are spitting distance from Tooting Broadway tube.

Tooting may be too grimy for fine diners, but that probably helps keep the catering authentically 'desi'

[boomerang]

Zaffron is definitely one of the beter indian take outs, have ordered from them a few times and never failed to please..

[the-e-dealer]

A

[cella]

Our family of 6 have just been for Sunday lunch at the Bishop. We all enjoyed it as the main courses are really good. However, yet again the fruit crumble was disappointing. The fruit base arrived hot and cooked but they just plonked a prepackaged bit of topping on the top and served like that - cold. We sent it back and they quickly nuked it so tasted better but surely its not too much effort to hand make a bit of crumble and cook in the oven at the same time as the base. Seems a bit strange when they advertise all the meat is locally sourced etc but they can't be bothered to mix up a bit of butter and flour. So would definitely recommend for the mains but give the puddings a miss.

[SueJ]

E-dealer, hi

Really sorry you felt we did not cater for veggies, we do, but obviously did not meet your needs on that occasion.

We have to start by being fairly generic and then work with clients to offer a truly bespoke menu alongside excellent service.

At EDSC we do offer a pre booked alternative to the set menu and advise if we are able to cater specific diatry requirements in advance of taking a booking.

I hope this reassures you and maybe you will give us a try

Suzanne

Www.suzannejames.co.uk

[Peckhampoet]

my favourite Indian takewaway in the area is Spice Republic (towards Forest Hill). Better than Baburs imo.

[NunheadGirl]

Another vote for Suzanne James and her East Dulwich Supper Club - you are

always guaranteed fantastic food and service at an amazing price, and it's

great being able to bring your own booze.

Hubby and I have had met some great people there, and had some really lovely

nights out, not to mention slightly tipsy walks home across Peckham Rye Common!

Lovely.

lozzyloz Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> And if you're looking for something local that's a

> little different check out:

>

> Suzanne James Supper Club - Industrial Dining

>

> Jacks - Sunday Roasts and Stew and Dumplings

> Nights

[NunheadGirl]

Latest date and menu for Supper Club just released - details here;

http://www.suzannejames.co.uk/supperclub.asp

[Sue]

fluffy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Love Jaflong, Si Mangia and the Silk road in

> Camberwell, must say I've been utterly

> underwhelmed by Ganapati though, if you want

> decent South Indian food it seems one still has to

> go to Euston, unless there are some hidden South

> London gems I am unaware of?!

xxxxxx

If you are talking about the two South Indian restaurants in Drummond Street (one is the Ravi Shankar, can't remember the name of the other one but they are both owned by the same people, I think) I can't believe that you think they are better than Ganapati!

A comparison with Indian Mischief would be more to the point, as the Drummond Street restaurants mainly do dhosas. They do have the best almond kulfi I've ever tasted, though.

[the-e-dealer]

My Favourite Indian Restaurant is Woodlands on Panton Street.

[James]

No need to go to Euston for great veggie South Indian! Shahee Bhelpoori in Norbury is amazing - we've been going for years. Really good value too.

[MrsByrd]

So, Spooner - have you tried any of these recommendations? No mention (sorry if I've missed it) of the Thai Corner House on Northcross - very good for the price - bring your booze.

[the-e-dealer]

No need to leave East Dulwich fo Great South Indian Veggie! Indian Mischief in E Dulwich The cooking is South Indian and Gujarati vegetarian, with lots of spicy potatoes and pulses, and aims to educate as well as satisfy.

[fluffy]

> If you are talking about the two South Indian

> restaurants in Drummond Street (one is the Ravi

> Shankar, can't remember the name of the other one

> but they are both owned by the same people, I

> think) I can't believe that you think they are

> better than Ganapati!

>

> A comparison with Indian Mischief would be more to

> the point, as the Drummond Street restaurants

> mainly do dhosas. They do have the best almond

> kulfi I've ever tasted, though.

Diwana on Drummond st does a pretty wide menu, but it is the dosas that I go for most as I miss them so much :). But their thalis and rasam are good too.

Ravi Shankar and Chutnies aren't nearly as good, but thanks for the Kulfi tip!

Must say Ganapati has never impressed me, so have given up on it entirely. Shame as I would like to like it but I just can't get used to the awful service and the incredibly hit and miss food.

[James]

To be honest e-dealer I personally found Indian Mischief a bit disappointing (and appropriately named) - overpriced with chaotic service and tiny portions. The one thing that did impress me was the lovely starters. Shahee B in Norbury is a bit of a drive but much better value in my opinion. I do apologise if you're connected with Indian Mischief in some way!

[the-e-dealer]

Not connected . Yes it is a little overpriced but I guess you have to factor in time and travel costs . Food is good.

[Sue]

fluffy Wrote:

>

>

> Diwana on Drummond st does a pretty wide menu, but

> it is the dosas that I go for most as I miss them

> so much :). But their thalis and rasam are good

> too.

>

> Ravi Shankar and Chutnies aren't nearly as good,

> but thanks for the Kulfi tip!

>

xxxxxxxx

I was told by the staff that Ravi Shankar and Diwana were owned/managed by the same people.

Certainly last time I was there they appeared to be serving the same food ....

Maybe that has changed.

[Sue]

James Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> To be honest e-dealer I personally found Indian

> Mischief a bit disappointing (and appropriately

> named) - overpriced with chaotic service and tiny

> portions. The one thing that did impress me was

> the lovely starters.

xxxxxx

Have you been there recently? The size of the portions has increased.

They were only small at one point because a customer had told them that they were serving portions so large that they couldn't eat it all .....

They were trying to get the portion size right, but then went too far the other way.

I think you'll find they are OK now.

The service has also greatly improved since they opened.

I think their dhosas are delicious, especially the pumpkin one, but I hate that yellow stuff they serve with it, however they will mix and match the dhosa and the sauce if you ask.