Harden's survey result
Summary
Fans of the “unbeatable, unpretentious, delicious Keralan cuisine” at the three Rasas say it’s “not your standard Indian fare” – “the spicing is second to none, giving a unique, delicate and surprising balance of flavours”. They also say that the Stokie original, “established over 20 years ago”, is “still the best veggie curry in north London” (with meat an option at its younger Travancore spin-off across the road); and that its popular Oxford Circus offshoot is a handy – and good-value – option in the West End. All locations, though, suffer accusations that they are “not as good as they were”, and – though solid – ratings in each case no longer ‘smash the ball out of the park’ as once they did.
Summary
“It’s easy to over-eat” at these basic cafés, whose still-quite-unusual Keralan menu is “still good after all these years” (“at the price it can seem quite amazing!”) and “much better than ‘normal’ north Indians for veggies”. The Stokie original is nowadays less popular than its “handy-to-know-about” offshoot “in the little patch near Oxford Circus bereft of decent options”.
Summary
“Enough to make a believer of the most ardent meat-eater”: these “rather basic” and primarily veggie Keralans are so good, especially the Stoke Newington original, that “it’s hard not to overeat”. But while they remain “great value” there’s a feeling amongst long-term fans that “a little extra would be needed to regain full marks” – “it’s still good, but the menu never changes, and doesn’t excite me like it did”.
Summary
“Remarkable value and delicious South Indian food” still dazzles at the Stoke Newington original of this small Keralan chain (the “decent and very convenient” branch near Oxford Circus is the next most popular). “The overall formula hasn’t evolved over the years” however, and ratings generally have declined – “please Rasa, mix it up!”
Restaurant details
Opening hours
lunch noon - 3 pm, dinner 6 pm - 10.30 pm
Last orders: 10.45 pm, Fri & Sat 11.30 pm
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