Rasa Travancore- Same Same But Very Different. Curry Club

I always like to try something different and somewhere new. Don't get me wrong, i do love the classics and will happily go back to my favourites. However, i feel that it is important to go to new places, learn more and give your taste buds a new experience.

Our latest curry adventure was a new journey to stoke newington. Not an area of London renowned for its curries and as I was walking to the venue I went pass a medley of Turkish restaurants, a few burger places and a pizza place too. The smells of these places was alluring but we were focused on Indian tonight and at Rasa Travacone.

A background to the Rasa Story

The curry club is a collective, so before my feelings on the restaurant, below are some words of wisdom by my esteemed curry club crew:

"The food was great and the staff very attentive. Lots of choice and reasonably priced."

"Tastes so good makes you want to slap yo maji.....

(Maji is Hindi for mamma)

The dishes were delicately spiced - the star of the show was the dry lamb..".

"A surprising little gem tucked away on the side streets of Stoke Newington. Tasty food served with a smile."

Hearts?

Puff Pastry?

This was a new adventure for us. This was a move away from the usual mixed grills, paneers, bhajis and samosa. This restaurant with its Kerala background along with Medittereanen influence of Syria and Turkey offered some distinct flavours.

For starters we ordered Dal baingun, Konju Fry (battered king prawns - in heart shapes too), Lamb Puff Pastry (a Kerla bakery special), Chicken Cutlets and Mysore Bonda - potato balls. It all had that golden crisp look to it m, but packed full of flavours which were light and gentle. Nothing too stodgy and the cobra which drank with it, helped.

Our mains continued this theme of difference. One thing that stood out to me was the strength of the spices. Once spice in each dish would dominant and give off both a fragrant smell and taste to enlighten the dish. The dishes were Nadan Kozhy Curry - common chicken curry, Erachi Olathiyathu (Dry) - lamb, Vazhutananga pal curry - aubergine in coconut milk and Koottu Parippu - lentil curry. These were accompanied by paratha (naan) and lemon rice and coconut rice.

Crispy Dry Lamb

Curries- chicken and aubergine

An interesting experience to say the least. Rasa provided us with an alternative taste to what our usual curry nights offer us. Will I go back, probably yes. The price points were great the service attentive bordering on too much, but still a worthwhile night and very enjoyable.