Kolam

4 Reviews on “Kolam”

• CURRYBOND

  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 mis-shapen discs that most closely resemble those potato smilies Jamie Oliver spent his adult life trying to eradicate.Bhaji score – 3/10.The mains on offer have a familiar air with many a South Indian establishment under our belts we’re now experienced connoisseurs of the sub-continent. We plump for Goan Chicken, King Prawn Kurma, Lamb Kurma, Chicken Keerai, Chicken Masala, Lamb Bhuna and a Special Masala Dosai. We’re excited, hungry and lagered up with bottles of Cobra….we wait…a while. Then finally our mains arrive with Pilau rice and Garlic Naans. The curry is good, pretty tasty but everything is a similar shade of deep red. Over the past 15 curries I have come to realise that if all the curries look alike they probably taste pretty similar, as was the case with Kolam. The naan was also quite disappointing, lacking garlic and too crunchy. Food score – 6.9/10.Approaching 9pm I’m not feeling good about the number of CURRYBONDers that will maintain consciousness throughout the Bond leg…We get the bill after a bit of a struggle attracting Mr. Smiley which comes in at 116.55 that’s 16.65/CURRYBONDer. Not bad value considering beers were on offer.Value Score – 6.1/10.Kolam therefore suffers from a similar plight to many a Tooting curry establishment, it’s good but you could walk 5 minutes spend 10 less and probably be happier with your evening.Overall Score – 6.7/10

  November 22, 2016, 1:49 am

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• Rob Sherali

  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 speechless. You couldn’t tip them enough to get it 3/4 of what it was further up the restaurants on the Northern Line.Awesome, if you can get past the need for expensive cutlery and lavish decor – get yourself over here – pronto.

  May 11, 2016, 3:09 am

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• Oliver.g

  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.

  April 8, 2011, 7:27 pm

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• Carl

  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.

  May 13, 2010, 9:58 am

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