Restaurants

One of the few restaurants in London to serve Udupi vegetarian dishes from Karnataka, Sagar now has three branches stretching from the West End to Twickenham. This original Hammersmith site has smooth blond-wood walls dotted with elegant brass figurines that are beautifully lit at night. The place gets packed during the evenings, and can bustle at lunchtimes too, as students, shoppers, workers and families stop by for a fix of spice, and myriad variations on rice. Puffy, spongy idlis soaked up our freshly made sambar and fiery coconut chutney: a highly satisfying combination. Uthappam was just the right side of searingly hot, and was made livelier still with a topping of fresh tomato. A cooling contrast came from the vegetable kootu (spinach cooked with yoghurt and coconut) – faultlessly done. The dosas are excellent too, with delicately spiced fillings from potato to paneer. A slightly stodgy samosa was the one duff note among our meal’s many highs. What’s more, the prices are pretty much as low as you can get in London for South Indian food of this quality.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009