our review
THE LOWDOWN: Tucked away between Bond Street and Marble Arch, Roti Chai is a slick new venture from former Cinnamon Club MD, Rohit Chugh. On the ground floor, the laid-back Street Kitchen serves up authentic Indian street snacks, while the downstairs dining room is a more formal affair with a menu of regional specialties designed for sharing. When we visited on a bitterly cold December evening, the warmth and buzz of the subterranean dining room was a welcome respite from the chaos of pre-Christmas Oxford Street. As you descend the stairs and inhale the scent of freshly toasted spice, you can tell you're in for something rather special.
THE LOOK: While the modern, minimalist Street Kitchen is perfect for lunchtime pitstops, the soft lighting, mirrors and sunset colours make the downstairs dining room a welcoming space for those who like to linger over dinner. In a nod to India's most famous form of transport, there are luggage racks above the tables for two and train-inspired banquette seating. Quirky caged lanterns are suspended from the industrial ceiling and the larger round tables are perfect for groups who want to share their dishes tapas-style. At one end of the room there's a well-stocked bar, and at the other there's a smoked red glass window through which you can glimpse the kitchen.
THE FOOD: Downstairs, the menu is a mix of street food snacks, larger dishes from the various regions of India, and regularly changing specials which on our visit included winter game. Start by sharing small plates like crunchy papri chaat, seekh kebabs hot from the tandoor, tender spice-rubbed ribs, or the Chennai favourite Chicken 65. Roti Chai's version is a rather polite interpretation of the original, but delicious nonetheless, the fried chicken strips encased in a feisty batter and begging to be dunked in the fresh tomato salsa. A surprise stand-out was the aloo tikki (potato cakes) served with homely chickpea curry, finely diced red onion, yoghurt, mint and tangy tamarind chutney - each mouthful a different explosion of flavours.
From the list of larger plates, we chose Chettinad chicken - a rustic dish from Tamil Nadu, redolent of earthy roasted spices - and an impressive bread selection that was big enough for three or more to share. Wrapped in linen to keep them warm, the basket contained fresh hot paratha, light buttery naan, and, best of all, triangles of veg-stuffed kulcha. With bread this good, you can skip rice and have more room for comforting dhal or Cochin-style seasonal greens.
Now, korma has a bad rep in the UK for being the curry equivalent of beige but our Awadhi lamb version was delicious, let down only by chunks of lamb that weren't quite melt-in-the-mouth tender. The sauce, though, was mild but full of flavour, fragrant with saffron, and so addictive that we were mopping it up with naan long after declaring ourselves full.
After the main event, balance the spice with something sweet like chai brulee, chocolate and cardamom tart, or payasam - a creamy South Indian dessert. If you can only manage a few bites, go for the mango or pistachio kulfi - there's always room for ice-cream on sticks.
THE DRINKS: Roti Chai's drinks list offers carefully chosen wines, Mongoose beer (a welcome change from Tiger), and Amrut whisky amongst other top shelf spirits. Cocktails tend towards to the exotic, with the ginger and pineapple Bellini proving more popular than an overly perfumed rose and lychee Martini. (The latter packed a punch but didn't feel quite right in a chunky glass tumbler.) After dinner, try the masala chai - their authentic take on the sweet Indian tea spiked with cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. It's wonderfully warming and great for digestion!
THE REST: A special mention goes to the friendly, clued-up staff. Throughout the evening, our empty glasses were whipped from the table ninja-style, and they were always nearby but never intrusive. Our Canadian waiter, William, admitted to being new but talked us confidently through the menu, pointing out his favourites, and even identified a mystery vegetable in our korma.
THE VERDICT: With its cleverly distinct dining areas, Roti Chai is on to a winner. The laid-back Street Kitchen is perfect for lunch or a post-shopping refuel, while downstairs is sleek and stylish enough to entice the dolled-up West End crowd. The food is fresh and vibrant, full of authentic flavours, and we were thrilled to discover there's nothing timid about the spicing. Downstairs, the prices can feel a little steep - that lamb dish, for example, is 16.80 - but the quality of the food (and the service) more than justifies them. If you like the vibe at Dishoom and the food at Delhi Grill, you're guaranteed to have a good time here.
KP - December 2011
what the critics say
John Lanchester
your comments review this restaurant and win a bottle of champagne
This is Indian food redefined!! Absolutely delicious! The menu is inventive and very, very tasty indeed! The portions are generous and not too spicy. The service is efficient and unobtrusive. The decor is nice and creates an atmosphere which is neither too formal or informal. You could come here dressed to the nines or simply smart casual. The only slight negative is that it is not cheap but nevertheless worth every penny. Highly recommended and I shall certainly return!!
Comment on this reader review
JR
Overall rating 
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, November 11, 2012
I am really surprised that this place is not packed to the limit. We visit it every time we are in London and the food has always been fantastic. The spicy potato cakes and the lamb kebabs are absolute favourites. If I must faul something, I think the bread, both nans and parathas, are not up to the standard of the rest of the food. Service is polite and unobtrusive.
We look forward to our next visit!
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Susana
- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Thursday, August 02, 2012
We have eaten here several times and never been disappointed. The food is simply excellent - always beautifully presented; modern but still authentic. The room has a nice buzz to it and the service is always spot on. Yes, you pay West End prices for all of the above, but it is most definitely worth it.
Some dishes to look out for: the aloo tikki chaat; the Chicken 65; the paneer pasanda (paneer in a light, almost tempura-like batter in a mild but fragrant sauce); saagwala gosht (tender lamb in a rich, flavoursome spinach curry sauce); perfectly tempered daal; and addictive veg kulcha bread. In fact, we're yet to order a duff dish. Wash it all down with their vodka-spiked lychee teapot cocktail.
Honestly can't recommend Roti Chai highly enough. I hope they don't let standards slip over time! We have sent several friends there and only had excellent feedback. Must go back soon to try the Street Kitchen.
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-K-
- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, April 20, 2012
Not long opened. Interior is lovely and the food is very good, more like a tapas style curry with dishes with a slant on what you usally expect. Not cheap but well worth a visit. Friendly service too.
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marywhite
- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Barrio Bars to open a new site in Shoreditch next month (via Caterer) - 
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