Tipped

Welcome to the Time Warp

August 19, 2008

What country am I in? What year is it? Did I just walk up two flights of stairs in a residential hotel only to find an Indian restaurant? Does anyone else know this place exists? Am I going to eat something dodgy that'll send me running desperately for a toilet in about 30 minutes? How on earth does this exist in this part of London and how do they afford the rent? These were some of the thoughts running through my head when I was sitting in The India Club.

Walking into the restaurant you feel transported to another time, say roughly 1950, which is probably the last time anything here was updated. A picture of Gandhi hangs on the wall, and probably has since shortly after his death in 1948. Not all of this inspires confidence in the food, it must be said, but the flavor of the place itself more than makes up for the minor shortcomings of the cuisine.

When it comes to the food, stick to the southern Indian specialties like the dosas, which are authentic, crispy, and very good (plus I love coconut chutney). Avoid the naan, which was clearly rewarmed (perhaps no tandoori oven?), but the curries are spicy and tasty, and the food is very fairly priced (unfortunately not 1950 prices, but still cheap).

Tags: cuisine: south indian, dosas, cheap