Where the river bends past Ravenscourt Park, you’ll find Potli, a laid-back Indian restaurant that has won the hearts of locals, bloggers and anyone else who visits. The space has buckets of charm, with vintage posters on the walls, nicknacks on the shelves and a well-stocked bar of spirits and liqueurs. It’s an ideal spot to catch up with old friends or celebrate with family. The wine list is well thought-out, featuring floral roses, punchy whites and rich reds - the perfect accompaniment to the food. Be sure to try the Soul Tree Sauvignon Blanc from the Nasik Valley in India. If you prefer beer, you can opt for the likes of Cobra or Kingfisher, as well as some smaller-batch IPAs.
At Potli, as with many restaurants of this ilk, you’ll likely start off with something crunchy. Aside from classic poppadoms, the samosa chaat is a great option, served with onions, tomatoes, chickpeas, chutneys and yoghurt. The starters are organised by cooking method, be it fried, grilled or clay oven-baked. Of these sections, highlights include spiced vegetable and paneer dumplings, Karara crab with dynamite sauce and a half tandoori baby chicken respectively.
Meat-eaters, pescetarians, vegetarians and vegans can all enjoy plenty of choice when it comes to the curries at Potli. Those who can handle their spice should try the wild boar vindaloo, while the lamb shank rogan josh is a milder meat option with plenty of flavour. From the sea, the Odia prawn curry is a must, packed with ginger, chilli, coriander and cumin, as is the classic Keralan fish curry. Veggies should try the rattan Manjusha kofta, comprised of nuts, jaggery, paneer and spinach, all simmered in an aromatic, cardamom-laced tomato sauce. Vegans, while they have probably had dal makhani before, should try it here. Cooked for 24 hours, this dal is one of the best in London.