Himalaya Cafe

My latest wanderings have often seen me on the southside and today was another example of that. I stopped at the Himalaya Cafe, on the main drag, having been lured in by a sign proclaiming them to be the finest purveyors of chai in the city.

The interior, which boasts some wonderful cornicing, radiates spiritual centre chic, with intricately woven fabric bedecking the place. I thought it was memorably smart.

Having been initially taken with the notion of trying the momos, I eventually settled upon their thali plate. Today’s curries were green pea and aloo gobi, with daal, chapati, rice and salad making up the other elements.

This promptly arrived along with the much-vaunted chai. The chai was very good indeed with lovely warm spices pervading, with particularly strong notes of cardamom. I was impressed.

The thali was a little quixotic. The salad was topped with sweet chilli, sweet onions, pickled cucumber, jalapenos and olives. It was odd to say the least.

The rest of the items were on much more solid ground, with delicious daal and healthy curries, profuse rice and a good chapati. It was a filling and satisfying eat.

So overall, I enjoyed my trip to the Himalaya Cafe. They really need to fix that bizarre little salad creation, but once that’s sorted everything will be to a pleasing standard. I’d be happy to recommend a visit.

Scores
Blythe scores the Himlaya Cafe
3.5/5 for food
3.5/5 for presentation
4/5 for setting
3.5/5 for service
giving an overall 14.5/20

I ate: thali (pea curry, daal, aloo gobi, rice, chapati)

I drank: water, masala chai

I wore: the final linens of the season

Total bill: £7.50