Vegetarian Lunch at Chutneys

If you want vegetarian cooking in London, Drummond Street is the place to go! Just west of Euston station, it has two or three South Asian vegetarian restaurants. We used to go regularly to Diwana, a Gujerati restaurant specializing in bhel poori – various forms of puffed rice. We especially like the small thin-walled crusty balls that are hallow inside, to be tapped with a spoon and broken into, then filled with seasoned chickpeas. Diwana has several interesting and delicious appetizers like this that we used to order a selection of. But then, they banned the practice of ordering just starters, insisting one must order a main meal as well. So, guess what, we don't eat there anymore. We have also read that the service at Diwana recently is miserable...
   Instead, go to Chutneys down the street! Their lunchtime buffet is famous, mixing all sorts of north and south Indian dishes. In the evening, they have a variety of bhel puri, chats, dosas and thalis, but their special is several types of Kerala curries. Dessert includes 'Kerala delight'. The staff are very friendly, water is served without question, and staff share the tips (a recent 'issue' in the London restaurant scene).

Chutney's lunchtime buffet at 124 Drummond Street, Euston, London NW1 2PA
www.chutneyseuston.co.uk