By
J.
Posted on 24/07/2007
Award-winning South Indian restaurant tucked away in a quiet nook of Peckham. Looking for a chicken tikka masala? Take your business elsewhere.
The Venue
A converted corner house in up and coming SE15, Ganapati offers delicious food in a homey setting. Bench-style seating and an unpretentious mix of Indian photo displays and home-made decor add to the ambience.
The Atmosphere
The relaxed and informal cafe feel of Ganapati matches the decor of the venue. It's perfect for that chilled out lunchtime snack.
The Food
The menu is compact, unfussy and filled with superb Keralan dishes. Catering as much for the midday eater as the evening dining crowd, Ganapati offers reasonably priced lunchtime thalis with a good mix of curries and street snacks. The food comes into its own in the a la carte menu, however. The average curry house fan will probably only recognise the lamb korma on the menu. Here the traditional gloopy favourite is transformed into a wholesome fragrant curry with none of the usual cream and almond overdose. The chennai kozhi curry made with a boned chicken thigh is beautifully hot and sour. More surprises abound with the beetroot pachadi, a meaty fiery chutney made with fresh beetroot that goes down perfectly with a dash of coconut rice. The main meals come in at a slightly higher than expected at just about a tenner, but the extra couple of quid is worth it.
The Drink
Sweet refreshing lassis vie for favouritism amongst a massive selection of beers from the local Greenwich breweries.
The Last Word
The best Indian food in South London? Ganapati very well could be a contender for the crown.