Chowki

carlos_1100

a winner 27th January 2009

1 found this helpful

Myself and my wife had a meal in Chowki yesterday and we both agreed that the taste of the food was pretty good. She had the Hyderabadi Chicken which although flavoured well was a little dry. My vegetarian dish was very good as were the accompaniments - the dhal was wonderful! I think we would definitely go again!

herb

great indian 10th October 2008

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this is the great idian restaurant that i have been for a long time, dont miss out, great real food and amazing service .

misstravelbug

Great value, changing menu 9th September 2008

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Great value, fast service - perfect for the theatre-goer in the west end. The menu is small but changes every month, 3 course set menu from the nominated region in india is good value for under 20 quid. Good drinks menu, non-alcholic cocktails are different from the usual - the exotic one with mango and lychee is my favourite.
The decor is like a cafeteria, good for an informal meal.
Service is fast, prompt, nothing to complain about. It's a large restaurant so ideal for group bookings.

topruss

GREAT 23rd June 2008

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Another firm favourite. Has a very sexy feel, great for people watching.
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SiReine

Indian feast???? 13th April 2008

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A.A. Gill wrote about Chowki: "one of the Stars of 2003".
After my meal there last night, my rudimental knowledge of astronomy makes me think more on the lines of "one of the White Dwarfs of 2008"!

Yes, the menu changes every month and yes, you get to sample authentic dishes from particular regions. For just under £15 you get starter, main AND desert...Big deal!

You're in Soho or "rip-off/tourist central” and therefore you pay for what you get i.e.: a very average meal!
It hits the spot but don't expect to leave the place feeling “stuffed”. The portions are small: 2 spoonfuls of pilau rice, lentils, spinach, and 2 to 3 pieces of meat per person. Starters were ok. Deserts: average.

The 3 stars were only given because I couldn’t do 2 ½ but the overall experience was very dull, and so was the food. The 3 of us all had Regional "Feasts" and a bottle of Chablis 2006 for £72.44 (serv. incl).

So … I put it to you, TP users/reviewers:
What is the rule or secret to find a good Indian restaurant in London?
- “for cheap and authentic head towards Algate, Southall or even Wembley”
- “if in the West End get ready to pay the price or abstain”

Right now, I’m thinking “I’m going to have to stick to my local because I won't be going back to Chowki even though their naans and mango lassis were fabulous!”

foxie

Prices Up, Food still good 14th April 2007

1 found this helpful

Original Review: Fantastic Indian Food from a variety of regions. Their "regional feasts" are particularly good value. Hard to beat for location too!

Update:
We were back here a few weeks ago and while the food is still very good, the prices are up significantly, which makes it less of the bargain it used to be. Also, the new menus are bit difficult to navigate, which is something of a shame. Still a good place to go to experience something a little out of the ordinary and the prices aren't completely out of whack compared to quality, but it isn't quite the value it used to be.

tsunamih

Top notch cheap eat! 10th February 2007

3 found this helpful

great cheap, quality eat. good food, very well priced. Menu changes regularly so it should never get boring. been a fair few times and yet to find anything to complain about. And its in a great central location

Hazzabout

Indian with a difference... 26th October 2006

1 found this helpful

... in that the food is authentically Indian (unlike the usual chicken tikka masala etc created for an English audience). Each month they showcase 3 different regions of India, so the menu changes all the time - this month they had food from Utter Pradesh, Chettiar and West Bengal. It's also brilliant value at 13.95 for starter, main course (with side dishes, lentils, rice and bread) and a dessert. And all in the middle of Soho!

robcarter at 09/11/06

so why just 3 stars?

Hazzabout at 09/11/06

Hmm. Maybe it was a bit unfair: it was partly just because I felt like I'd given everything 4 or 5 so was trying to differentiate a bit more... But also I guess just because:

a) there are so many restaurants round there, my first choice is always a japanese on brewer street which I can't remember the name of, and Chowki would probably come second after that; and

b) there are so many good Indian restaurants in London generally (esp some local ones outside the centre). This is a solid choice with very tasty and interesting food - but it doesn't really 'feel' like an Indian restaurant - the decor and ambiance is more like one of the ubiquitous gourmet burger bars, all dark shiny wood and hard red leather seats. So it's very good and bargainous but doesn't quite get top rating from me.

Hope that clarifies things! Now try it and let me know if you think I've been stingy with the stars...

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