Restaurants

This small café, simply furnished with wipe-clean tables and framed images of Hindu deities, champions the best of Gujarati vegetarian cooking. It duly attracts a loyal audience of locals (family groups and others). These guys are big on authenticity – there’s even polished steel tableware to showcase mum’s-own cooking. We reckon Ram’s spiced street snacks are the best in town. Top marks went to the pani puri (crisp puffed pastry discs filled with diced onions and chickpeas): a perfect match with minted chilli-speckled tamarind water. Pau bhaji was equally satisfying; buttery potato mash simmered with onions, tomatoes and peppers made a surprisingly good marriage with toasted bread rolls: the ultimate Indian fast food. We moved on to the more substantial main courses. Kadhi (gram flour simmered with whipped yoghurt, popped mustard seeds and crisped curry leaves) was deliciously soupy and tart with tamarind. Our only gripe concerned the overdose of green peppers in virtually every main course. Breads are tip-top, especially puffed pooris served straight from the pan, and piping hot chapatis. For a taste of sunshine, order the fresh lime sodas seasoned with black salt and toasted cumin. Ram’s is undoubtedly the jewel in Kenton’s crown.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009