The Tamil Crown — Restaurant in London

The Tamil crown, it’s in a quiet lane. We had our reservation at 2pm, received promptly and seated. Very simple furniture assortment of tables shapes and sizes. The tables were old wooden tables with groves filled with old food crumbs( not cleaned well). We had a multiple waiters attending and taking orders and topping up and serving us. But all of them lack Human touch.( felt like everyone just working like ROBOTS with no expression on their faces. They didn’t even engage with us at any point. But the service was good. They topped bottle of water as it finishing but no word or a smile or didn’t even asked us all ok or food was good? They have a very good drinks and cocktails menu however the food menu was very limited especially main course/ big plates.

We ordered cocktails they were really good. Felt their Negroni was far better than many top bars and restaurants in London.

The food was very good no complaints. The okra fries were crisp and morish. The Bhel was not too sweet, not too yogurty or spicy. Got all the flavours. Really enjoyed. In our mains

Ordered chettinad lamb: soft meat, rich sauce with distinct notes of black pepper and kalpasi( rock moss/ Indian lichen ).

Prawn moilee : was well balanced and nice prawn flavour sauce with good size prawns. ( but for the price the portion is less)

Both the main dishes had a good amount of fresh ginger and coriander flavour and garnish which is very common in south of Indian cuisine.

Roti were flaky and well baked.

Coconut Rice : had a nice flavour of coconut.( only complain is garnished with black sesame seeds which are not even toasted).

One last thing to note. The cutlery was to big to the size of dishes or place are served. They feel like serving fork and knife. Which doesn’t complement to the whole experience of eating.

And at the end we really wanted to try some Tamil style dessert. But sadly we don’t have any. That’s really a disappointing

Lassi is a drink from bar not a dessert. Gulab jamun and srikand are not Tamil or not even South Indian desserts. Which is a real shame, as Tamil Nadu and south India as some amazing desserts.

The restaurant capacity is 100 pax approximately but has one unisex toilet only so there is a queue always. However it was nice touch they had a quality exfoliating handwashing soap and nice hand cream.

Over all they have good recipe to get Michelin bib with few small fine changes. Will visit again in time and see.

Ps: this review is not to criticise or demean anyone. Just my thoughts and how...

A Pub Twist on Tamil Cuisine: Devouring Delights at The Tamil Crown

Islington's got a gem, and it answers to the name The Tamil Crown. This gastropub isn't your average haunt. Sure, you've got the warmth of a classic pub – think dim lights, leather seating, and a welcoming bar. But the real magic happens on your plate, where the Tamil Crown serves up a vibrant celebration of South Indian flavours.

Let's delve into the deliciousness:

Okra Fries: Forget the limp greens you've seen before. Here, okra gets the royal treatment, transformed into crispy, golden fries. Perfect for dunking in their signature spicy coconut chutney, a must-try for any condiment enthusiast.

Roasted Chicken & Pineapple: A sweet and savoury melody unfolds in this dish. Tender chicken roasts to perfection, while pineapple chunks add a touch of tropical sunshine.

Beef Masala Uttapam & Spicy Coconut Chutney: Uttapam, a thick, savoury pancake, arrives here generously topped with a rich beef masala. The accompanying spicy coconut chutney provides a cooling counterpoint, making each bite a delightful tightrope walk between flavour and fire.

Aubergine Curry: Eggplant (aubergine for the Brits!) takes centre stage in this dish. Slow-cooked to melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, it bathes in a fragrant curry that's both comforting and deeply satisfying.

Coconut Prawn Moilee: Seafood lovers, rejoice! Plump prawns get the star treatment in a creamy coconut moilee. The luxuriously rich sauce is simply begging to be mopped up with the...

Buttery, Flaky Roti: These flatbreads are the textural dream team. Light, airy, and perfectly buttery, they're the ideal vessel for scooping up every last bit of curry goodness.

Thanjavur Chicken Curry: For the heat seekers, the Thanjavur chicken curry promises a fiery adventure. This dish isn't shy with its chillies, but the complex spice blend ensures it's more than just a punch in the face.

Robata Lamb Chops: Spice things up a notch with these succulent lamb chops. Cooked over robata (a Japanese grill), they arrive smoky and infused with a hint of char.

Gulab Jamun: End your flavour journey on a sweet note with these melt-in-your-mouth gulab jamuns. These syrupy fried dough balls are the perfect way to end a truly unforgettable meal.

The Tamil Crown isn't just a meal, it's an experience. So ditch the bland pub fare and head down to Islington for a taste of Tamil magic!

Thank you JJ for being a...

Crown neighbors and fans of both the Prince and Tamila here, who were absolutely chuffed when this little local recently opened. Regular frequenters since, we waited a while before writing a review so they could work out the kinks (service was an issue at the start). Now, spurred by their consistent output and some absolutely asinine reviews, I’m here to add my two rupees. First up, the food. Every dish is a flavor bomb made by chefs who understand spices and seasoning. God bless salt. The bar bites do their job, making you want another pint, as they should. Highlights include the not-to-be-missed bhajis, crispy and fun okra fries, samosas, and the, ahem, these-need-to-back-on-the-menu again chicken lollipops. As for mains, only a fool wouldn’t order the Thanjavur chicken curry, that may very likely bring tears to your eyes, it’s that good. The other curries are also stellar, both the aubergine and Chettinand, the moilee strong too. The chops and crab were best left to those who were only there for the ‘grams – the latter of which seems to have quietly exited the menu, anyway. Be sure to also have a couple roti, and of course a couple gulab jamun for afters. When good, they’re absolutely great. But one of the hardest dishes we’ve found for consistency.

As will come as no surprise to anyone with any basic education, many of the low starred reviews here sway to the cultural and ethnically biased, to put it politely. Some favorite one star complaints are that despite occupying a former one, it is not a “pub,” that eating with one’s hands may lead to sticky fingers, and that as there are no Yorkshire pudding on the Sunday menu it should therefore not be called a “roast.” Having cheek and irony be completely lost on these reviewers, there are far too many admonishing the small portions, prices, and lack of identifiable dishes. As all too often plagues cuisines deemed “exotic,” food from the constructed “East” is typically de- and under- valued.

There’s a reason this is the third Tamil[…] and sure not to be the last. Despite being consistently packed, a seat can usually be found, and the food rarely disappoints – unless you’re looking for a traditional “English” curry. In which case we’d all appreciate if you went somewhere else, we’d...