Chettinad

16 Percy Street, W1T 1DT
020 3556 1229


www.chettinadrestaurant.com

The journey that the dosa makes from its community heartlands to the city centre appears to be a tricky one. After Tooting, Wembley and East Ham, we headed off to Percy Street (near Tottenham Court Road) where Chettinad, a relatively new South Indian restaurant, had caught our eye.

Like its next-door neighbour, Sagar, Chettinad offers a 'box lunch' that appeared popular (NB, with some Indians amongst the clientele). But we stuck to our guns and went firmly for dosas. The menu was moreover intriguing. It included Chicken Dosas, Lamb Dosas and Prawn Dosas side by side with the regular Masala and Rava.

N went for the Prawn Dosa, but was slightly downcast to find just three prawns embedded in the potato/veg filling. Though the filling as a whole was nicely spiced, the dosa had a less attractive leathery quality that might have meant it had sat around before being served. Our companion J however was happy with his Mysore Masala Dosa. But V who had struck out and gone for Onion Chilli Uttapam felt it lacked character and was sadly bland.

We liked the place. It's pleasantly appointed and the service was friendly although a bit slow. But our bill (including coffee, aviyal and one beer) came to £47.19 and made us long for the homely simplicities of Wembley. 5/10.

Dosa n Chutny

66-68 Tooting High Street London SW17 0RN
020 8767 9200

Website


I arrived a few minutes before the appointed hour at this small, unpretentious eatery tucked away in the middle of busy Tooting High Street. It is a very short walk from Tooting Broadway tube. N arrived shortly afterwards - she had actually gotten here early but had been out perusing Indian groceries in shops further long the high street.

I settled on idli and a masala dosa. N went for a Mysore masala dosa and a mixed uthapam. The idli first - just about ok - soft but not fluffy, in fact a tad undercooked in the sense that there were moist bits inside. N's Mysore masala dosa was frankly a disappointment - cold and soggy. The accompanying sambhar was spicy but average in flavor. I liked the coconut chutney which had a nice chewy texture and fresh taste. N did like the reddish stuffing in her dosa - pureed potatoes and carrots spiced with green chilis, mustard seeds, and urad dal (lentil).

My dosa was better. It was warm and flavorful. N's uthapam was loaded with toppings and was decent. We finished with coffee in cute steel cups. Service was attentive.

I would go with a 3 out of 5; N who was put out by her sad Mysore masala dosa is inclined towards a 2.5 out of 5.