Tootoomoo Crouch End — Restaurant in London

Tootoomoo: A Hidden Gem in Crouch End

Tucked away in Crouch End, Tootoomoo might appear modest from the outside, but step inside and you'll discover a spacious, thoughtfully designed pan-Asian restaurant that defies expectations. What initially seems like a small establishment reveals itself as a surprisingly generous space enhanced by clever design elements.

The restaurant's ambiance is immediately striking, with abundant indoor plants and a magnificent skylight that bathes the rear dining area in natural light. This architectural feature, combined with the eclectic yet tasteful decor, creates an inviting atmosphere that feels both airy and intimate. The space has been ingeniously utilized, making it feel even more expansive than it actually is.

Tootoomoo's culinary approach is refreshingly original. Rather than attempting strict authenticity across multiple Asian cuisines (often a red flag), they embrace creative interpretation while respecting traditional ingredients. Each dish offers a distinct flavor profile—an impressive feat for a restaurant spanning various Asian culinary traditions. The chilli chicken, beef rendang, nasi goreng, and selection of dumplings each arrived with their own unique twist while maintaining respect for their cultural origins.

Service, particularly from Devangi, was exceptional on both visits. Attentive without being intrusive, she accommodated special requests (including making space for a six-month-old in a pram) with genuine warmth. Even more impressive was the kitchen's ability to serve multiple dishes simultaneously, each arriving piping hot and precisely as ordered.

For a restaurant offering such diverse Asian cuisines, Tootoomoo succeeds where many others fail by maintaining consistent quality and distinctive flavors across its menu. The combination of innovative food, thoughtful service, and inviting atmosphere makes it a standout dining destination worth returning to again and...

After enjoying dining here on numerous occasions over the years we were extremely disappointed by the shambolic way we were served, the knowledge of the staff, their general helpfulness and the tasteless food. We were given the wrong starters, as were the couple on one of the tables next to us, with no apology given. One main course came 5 minutes before the other. When we asked the waitress when the other was coming she looked blankly and simply said ‘soon.’ All the food was bland and watery. We were given a dish which contained gluten, despite talking to the staff about how important it was there was no gluten in the food as we are both coeliacs. The dish said gluten free on the menu, but the allergen sheet stated it contained wheat. The couple the other side of us, who ordered before us, still had no food after we had eaten and paid. They were offered a plate of prawn crackers as compensation for waiting over an hour for their dishes. One of the staff members answered her mobile as she was cleaning a table next to us. Altogether a truly disappointing evening, with no compensation for us, nor either of the tables next to us. Free cocktails or a substantial amount off the bill goes a very long way to showing the customer that they are valued and that it is worthwhile coming back, the knowledge that perhaps this will not happen again. Needless to say I believe it will be a while before we go back. There are plenty of excellent restaurants in the area. To be honest, it seems that the restaurant is more concerned with its take away service and getting those dishes...

I have walked by this place a lot since it open and have heard good things about it so we finally went in. We were greeted by some very friendly people and told to go to the back which is very nicely done up so we all had high hopes. The waitress was quick to take our order but lacked any sort of nice manners, she never once came back and asked us how our food was or if we needed anything, we had to call her back for water, if I could do it over I would have held back most of the tip. I could almost understand this if it were very busy but it was only us and one other table being served there. Food came to our table very quickly. The wanton soup was good but the Pad Thai was the worst I have ever had in my life...very sugary with a ton of noodles and very little else...no corriander even. I had the same dish just a week before at a place next to Kings Cross for less money and far much more meat, flavour and everything, worlds apart! The Szechuan Chili stir fry was again more like sweet and sour chicken, it did have some fresh veg but far too much sugar and again skimping on the meat. Duck was poor too. Dumplings were good. Drinks are overpriced, £7.50 for a pint? central London club prices. Far too costly for what we got, a hole in the wall take away has better flavours than this, will never return or...