LCB

Introduction

I am slowly trying to sample all of Tooting's chai shop lunch spots, but it's proving an uphill task. Like pimples on a teenager's face, there's more breaking out each week. But the Tooting scene is far from acned! This cafe-style revolution has so unearthed some delights like SKVP, and Naan Staap, and is likely to introduce a new audience to some classic south Asian street food.

On this occasion it was my birthday, and, as a remote worker there was no celebratory cake delivered to my desk by singing colleagues. Instead, I chose to have some chat for lunch, but just the food kind - I was very much alone still (Happy Birthday to me!). I did go out for dinner later with Caroline, but Chai Tapri was my (not-so)surprise gift to myself.

Venue

Chai Tapri's corner plot on the end of Cowick Road is a welcoming one, not least due to the windows letting in lots of light to reveal filled covers inside. Indeed, it was releatively busy for a small place on what was a February Tuesday at 1pm. Its location opposite Lidl may also prove lucrative if shoppers are looking for something a little less prosaic for lunch than the bakery items found there.

In warmer weathers, Chai Tapri benefits from outdoor furniture for those inclined to eat outside on the slightly smoggy main road. 

Inside is far more airy, but fairly austere with jsut some fairy lights adding a bit of sparkle. However, on my visit, heart shaped paraphernalia hung from the ceilings in a less than subtle, and somewhat premature, nod to the following week's Valentine's Day. This simple, but warm touch is generally indicative of the homely, cosy vibes of this small cafe, equally reflected in a cheerful mural on the rear wall.

6/10

Sides and starters & Curry

Samosa Chaat

Mix Pakora

It was just a small meal for me given a planned visit to Speedboat Bar in Soho for Thai food later that evening (highly recommended, by the way). The choices were equally limited, but enticing, reflecting the small bite/snack items for such a chai shop. 

My first choice was the samosa chaat, a generous plate consisting of a fist-sized samosa coated with the usual yoghurt, tamarind, pomegranate, onion, and chickpea melange, and a healthy dose of heat. Inside the pastry was a potato and pea filling and the odd fennel grain that added a sharp fragrant bite - all in line with the restaurants strictly vegetarian menu . This wasn't quite as good as the equivalent dishes at SKVP or Naan Staap, with less subtlety to the chaat flavour blend, but was enjoyable nonetheless. 

Alongside this I had six pakora (misspelled pakoda on the menu). These deep-fried fritters of gram flour, potato and onion came with green mint chili and tamarind sauces that proved the perfect foils to these deep fried bundles. A spicy salt dusting elevated the light batter higher for what was a very filling portion, particularly due to the generous potato within.

13/10

Service

This is only a cafe so hard to mark too generously for service, but the greeting and thanks I received from the staff here were very warm, not insiginificant given the vast competition offering a similar experience. This doesn't appear to be a chain like some of the other new chai shops, and it certainly has the more familiar, friendly feel of an independent.

7/10

Value For Money

The two dishes I had came to under £9 and were more than filling - I even took two pakora home. One dish may even be enough for some with £1.49 for a single samosa, and £2.69 for a vada pav; value not to be sniffed at!

8/10

Summary

Despite the challenge of keeping up with the evolving Tooting scene, it's always great to try new places. While the competition will delay any return (as will an iminent house move out of Tooting soon!!!), I'd relish the opportunity to sample some other dishes. 

The big windows and natural light set Chai Tapri apart and the value on offer is decent. The food is probably marginally better elsewhere, but you won't be disappointed. So, next time you're picking up a pastry from Lidl, why not try here instead?

34/50