Phone: (+44)2086728553
Address: 60 Upper Tooting Rd, SW17 7PB, Wandsworth, United Kingdom
City: Wandsworth
Dishes: 18
Reviews: 825
"21 April 2015 Kolam: Drawing out the curry Running low on new options still available we finally chose to visit Kolam, a venue previously dismissed on account of it never seeming busy and not being BYO. A kolam is apparently a geometrical line drawing widely practised by female Hindu family members in front of their houses to bring prosperity. We were hoping a visit would bring us good fortune, but instead we were joined again by the unflappable Louise Hitchen who waddled her way from Balham to join us. On this rare occasion Tom was the first to arrive and cut a very lonesome figure sat inside on his own with only the proprietor as company. Eventually, Louise and I arrived to begin the meal and review. Venue As alluded to already, Kolam is not the liveliest of venues on the high street. I walked past it every day for the best part of three years and rarely saw anyone inside. I even wondered how it ever stayed in business, tucked away as it is very unassumingly opposite the Job Centre Plus. Indeed, on our visit only two other tables were occupied – one by two guys and another by a sole female diner). You certainly won’t find the hustle and bustle of Spice Village or Lahore Karahi here, but we didn’t mind. You’ll find instead a calming ambience, with even the road outside seemingly silenced by curry reverence. Kolam offers a very pleasant dining experience. Everything is neat, ordered and clean – something that can’t be said of other local rivals. There is a warm and welcoming feel, enhanced by the authentic art on the walls and pleasant greeting from the owners. Perhaps one for the more discerning curry eater or just if you’re looking for a more peaceful experience than can be found elsewhere. 7/10 for venue. Starters and sides Aubergine bhaji Carrot poriyal Idly with sambhar and chutney Poori Naan Rotti Pilau rice First thing to say regarding the food is how usefully descriptive the menu is. Each sub genre is given a little blurb explaining the defining features or typical time each dish is eaten. This gives an insightful view into the food choices on offer and emphasises the range of authentic dishes on offer. For starters we chose the aubergine bhaji and idly(steamed baked rice cakes) that proved delicious and generous in number, especially when dipped in the accompanying sambhar and chutney. While I gorged on idly, Tom was enamoured with the carrot poriyal shredded stir fried carrot in a dry style, cooked with onions, black mustard seeds, coconut flakes and mild spices. This was rather unique offering and also comes in cabbage and bean varieties. Kolam also offers a range of 'rotties ' or breads plain rotti, kothu rotti, poori and naan. We sampled three of the four, the highlight of which was the poori which came as a pair. Perhaps a little too oily for some, it provides a lovely deep fried accompaniment to curry. The naan and plain rotti weren 't as good, but were nevertheless decent. All in all, the range of starters and sides at Kolam is commendable. For kebab or meat lovers this perhaps isn 't the place for you, but for more authentic, dosa, vadai, bhaji and uthappam options Kolam really hits the spot. For this reason, and the fact that the breads were good, it 's a solid 7/10 for starters and sides here. Curry Prawn masala Kolam keerai lamb Kolam bhuna chicken The curry followed the form of the starters with generous portions and strong flavours. Notably, all three were packed full of meat and veg, so you get good bang for your buck. The highlight was probably the lamb kolam keerai, a mild spinach curry with tender meat pieces from the restaurant 's speciality menu. The chicken bhuna, another special, packed more heat and came with tomato, capsicum and fenugreek leaves. The prawn curry was also tomatoey, but it wasn 't quite as good as a rule of thumb, I prefer king prawn dishes for a more textured bite, but nonetheless there were plenty of prawns in this dish. Again, the curries here were a solid offering and well worth a try. 7/10. Service This feels like a family run place and the owners (presumably husband and wife) are very friendly and welcoming. Their warmth makes this a very pleasant dining experience. Each dish came with an introduction and a smile. The restaurant was in pristine condition, reflecting the general courtesy and good service. The only possible criticism is that we waited longer than average for the food, but we were in no rush and this could be forgiven as the husband and wife seemed to be the only two employees; the absence of hustle was replaced with serene politeness which is often amiss elsewhere in Tooting curry houses. 8/10 Value for money It 's difficult for restaurants without BYO to score top marks on VFM, but the quality and size of portions here mean Kolam still scores highly. Including alcoholic drinks the bill came to over £20 each so not the cheapest around, but certainly worth it. 7/10 Summary I 'll let our guest Louise summarise this one, the last point being particularly worth noting: I declare Kolam a success. In summary: a hidden gem. Family service with a beaming smile and a particular highlight was the lamb and the bread thing [the poori] that Murphington [sic] ordered. Delicious! The lack of an ambience actually worked in this establishment 's favour. (obviously meant I could pay more attention to the witty table repartee). All in all, a high scoring 36/50."
Menu - 18 options
All prices are estimates.
Roti
Soft and flaky flatbread, perfect for dipping into curries or enjoying with a side of vegetables and sauces.
Naan
A soft, oven-baked flatbread, perfect for scooping up curries or savoring on its own, with a light, fluffy texture.
Prawn
Juicy prawns grilled to perfection, seasoned with garlic and herbs, served with a tangy lemon butter sauce.
Karahi
A spicy and aromatic curry dish cooked with tender pieces of meat and bell peppers, rich in a blend of traditional spices.
Biryani
Biryani is a fragrant rice dish cooked with tender meat, aromatic spices, and herbs, offering a rich and flavorful experience.
Lamb Bhuna
Spicy, slow-cooked lamb curry with rich, thick gravy, infused with aromatic spices.
Onion Bhaji
Crispy, deep-fried onion fritters seasoned with aromatic spices, served as a popular appetizer.
Masala Dosa
A crispy rice and lentil crepe filled with spiced potato mixture, served with chutneys and sambar.
Chicken Curry
Tender chicken simmered in a rich, spiced curry sauce with aromatic herbs and a touch of coconut milk.
Chicken Biryani
A fragrant rice dish with tender chicken pieces, aromatic spices, and a hint of saffron.
User
a family-run restaurant serving the tasty curries. everything we had was excellent!
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Reviews
User
excellent restaurant. great service. great eating. I love the lamb frit and the okra. try the pistachios and mandeleis was amazing family run restaurant that is the perfect location.
User
amazing authentic South Indian food. really nice owner and consistently very good! we really come here often and it is one of the best Indians in tooting and I am always surprised why it is no longer crowded. the fried lamb is particularly delicious. really recommend!
User
Great if quiet. In Tooting there are no end of curryhouses. We visit the Kolam regularly as the food is usually excellent, the service exceptionally friendly and the price really reasonable. What I cannot understand is why it is so quiet given the above whilst other far inferior emporia are much busier. Might look a bit tired but it is really worth a visit.
User
A family feel. Went there last night with a group of 30 for a monthly Tooting Curryclub- we'd booked in advance so they closed the restaurant just for us! Right from the outset we felt very looked after and the fact it is a family run business brought a nice feel to the evening- there was a warmth and interest which was lovely. And the meals were reasonably priced- and tasted great. I had possibly the best Chicken Biryani ive had. The food was fairly spicy which was a plus for me. Those who joined me last night were all impressed and KOLAM is definately worth recommending if you like a relaxed family run restaurant with good tasty reasonably priced dishes.
User
After 19 days of eating my way around South London I’ve finally made it to the last stop. To celebrate the final eve of 20days20dinners a group curry in Tooting was on the menu. My second visit to Tooting as part of this challenge having previously been to Meza, as discussed then Tooting is increasingly being seen as a foody haven. However long before the foody accolade has been knocking around Tooting has first and foremost been famed for its curry’s, and rightly so. There’s a plethora of good Indian restaurants, many being bring your own, in fact Tooting could be home to the best curry in London, but that’s a whole different challenge! The venue of the evening was chosen...read more
User
Rarely in the 4 years in Balham have I felt the need to review a place of dining, this place however, Kolham, just down from Tooting Bec station, attended by a lovely couple who served THE most amazing indian food, brought back memories of those trips to the far east. Be warned, your usual chicken masala is not what you would expect, SO much deeper (spicier) and tastier than the standard Engdian fare naans and pooris (fried roti bread) that absorb the flavours and a chicken biryani with rice I dont even like rice and I finished my partners...go for the Dosai for starters, get a couple and you will never look back And to top it all off the value for money, the bill came, left us...read more
User
Our venue is Kolam. One of those that certainly fits into the often-overlooked category on Tooting High street. It's close to Tooting Bec and proudly advertises itself as South Indian. We kick things off relatively promptly and take our seats in a comfortable setting, with cushioned seats and tablecloths! We're also greeted by perhaps the smiliest waiter/Maitre D so far Venue Score 6.2/10 The starters commence. Finally an onion bhaji on offer and not just that, there are two other bhaji varieties available! We sample an onion and an aubergine as well as a good stack of poppadoms. Unfortunately the variety isn't quite matched by quality as we are presented with two plates of brown...read more
User
21 April 2015 Kolam: Drawing out the curry Running low on new options still available we finally chose to visit Kolam, a venue previously dismissed on account of it never seeming busy and not being BYO A kolam is apparently a geometrical line drawing widely practised by female Hindu family members in front of their houses to bring prosperity. We were hoping a visit would bring us good fortune, but instead we were joined again by the unflappable Louise Hitchen who waddled her way from Balham to join us. On this rare occasion Tom was the first to arrive and cut a very lonesome figure sat inside on his own with only the proprietor as company. Eventually, Louise and I arrived to begin...read mor...
User
21 April 2015 Kolam: Drawing out the curry Running low on new options still available we finally chose to visit Kolam, a venue previously dismissed on account of it never seeming busy and not being BYO. A kolam is apparently a geometrical line drawing widely practised by female Hindu family members in front of their houses to bring prosperity. We were hoping a visit would bring us good fortune, but instead we were joined again by the unflappable Louise Hitchen who waddled her way from Balham to join us. On this rare occasion Tom was the first to arrive and cut a very lonesome figure sat inside on his own with only the proprietor as company. Eventually, Louise and I arrived to begin the meal...
Categories
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Asian Experience a culinary journey through Asia with our diverse menu. From the spicy flavors of Thai curry to the savory umami of Japanese sushi, we offer a wide variety of dishes that celebrate authentic Asian cuisine.
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Vegan "Delight in our vegan menu, offering a vibrant selection of plant-based dishes crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Savor flavorsome meals that are as nourishing as they are delicious."
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Indian Savor the rich flavors and aromatic spices of India with our authentic Indian cuisine. From savory curries to freshly baked naan, experience a diverse array of dishes that capture the essence of traditional Indian cooking.
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Gluten Free Savor delicious, gluten-free dishes crafted with fresh ingredients, ensuring taste and quality for everyone. Enjoy diverse options from appetizers to desserts, catering to gluten-sensitive needs.
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Takeaway
