Cochin

We booked in advance but they made us wait for 45 minutes for our table. There was an empty table, but they held it for someone else who did not arrive until we had been waiting for almost 40 minutes. Whilst waiting, they offered us a small basket of half-cooked poppadums & a complementary drink. When the bill arrived, they had charged us £6 for the poppadums and £4.40 for the two 330ml bottles of complementary water. When we queried this, they offered to take £2.00 off the bill. We questioned this again, but they did not care to correct their error. Exasperated, we paid and left. The food was good, but the service unacceptably shocking and it left us with a very bad taste in our mouths.
Comment on this reader review

Diana Carter
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Sunday, January 28, 2007

Saw this place and thought it looked worth a try and so glad I did!

The decor is much better than other similar style restaurants and had a great atmosphere.

The food was delicious, if a little too mild - chilli paneer is meant to have chillies!

For mains, the cheera (spinach) kottu was creamy and moreish and the appam ( a south-indian style bread) was an unusual addition to the menu.

My only criticism was that the service was incredibly slow at times.
Comment on this reader review

SS
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, December 18, 2006

East Finchley is short of a few decent restaurants but this is a good place. Good ingredients and excellent preparation. It's bit more expensive than your average Indian but better quality too.
Comment on this reader review

Julian Bailey
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, December 18, 2006

if you want a decent south indian, this runs rasa in stoke newington a close second. in particular, the masala dosas are close to the best i've had. had a surprise birthday party there in august - owners couldn't have been more helpful. gold star.
Comment on this reader review

deepun
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Saturday, September 30, 2006

I live in East Finchley and have now been to this restaurant twice and have booked another table for this Saturday to take friends there. The restaurant is a breath of air and the food tastes so fresh that perhaps I will visit the city of Cochin too. The restaurant also has a classy feel to it, none of the rowdy lot that only want a curry to go with their beer. You will not find a vindaloo here. The staff are also very friendly but you have to book as the restaurant is busy.
Comment on this reader review

Helen Kalmar
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, September 15, 2006

Jo must have been to a different restaurant by mistake given her coments below

We went there for a meal last night 11th sept 06 and were very impressed by the service, food and general ambience. When compared with other restaurants in teh area this a genuinely good find. The music was an added bonus.
Comment on this reader review

Matt
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Lovely Dosas and South Indian curries.

I recommend going there on weekdays when it is less busy and they have live music.

I am having my birthday party there today and hope it is as good as last time.
Comment on this reader review

M Baval
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Went there on Saturday 02 September 2006 and the restaurant was packed with people. After waiting for half an hour we finally were lucky enough to get a table.

After having the meal we understood why the restaurant was flocked with people. The best indian food I have had in some time. The desserts were great especially the Gajar Halwa & their ice creams were phenomenal, I recommend trying Chocolate Ginger ice cream its yummy...

Would definately go back again.
Comment on this reader review

Jas Chandra - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, September 04, 2006

Excellent food, great service, live music is a great addition on weekdays.

I am pleased that a restaurant like Cochin has opened in East Finchley. Well Done to all people involved.
Comment on this reader review

TARA WRIGHT
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, September 04, 2006

What a shame! The 1st time we came here the food was great, the service was OK. Last night was a different story.

We arrived at 9.05 for a 9pm booking and were rudely informed there were people waiting and they were just about to call us... there was one couple in the waiting area!

Then we were seated directly outside the toilets. The food was disappointing. When the dosas came, the lamb one was given to my vegetarian boyfriend, who was just about to tuck in when we realised! My vegetable Samba was notable by the lack of any vegetables, just sauce!

We when came to pay, they mysteriously managed to divide £96 for 4 people into £26.75 each on the credit card bills. When challenged, they spoke to each other in their mother tongue, laughed and then said 'we made a mistake' and handed us £5.

We live locally to this place and eat out about once a week... we wont be returning.
Comment on this reader review

Jo
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Sunday, September 03, 2006