However settles for base camp as an alternative
Everest Curry King is a brilliantly memorable identify for an area cafe and takeaway. With a reputation of simply three quick and distinctive phrases that aren’t often seen collectively, it’s not simply forgotten. The one snag is that ‘Everest’ would possibly lead you to assume that it serves up Tibetan/Nepalese meals, however it really focuses on the very totally different delicacies of Sri Lanka as an alternative.
Everest Curry King is as a lot a takeaway as it’s a caff, even within the halcyon days earlier than the lockdown. The handful of spartan tables and unforgivingly vibrant fluorescent lighting imply that it is a fuelling cease and never a spot to linger, whereas gazing lovingly into your eating companions’ eyes. Which, in my case, can be unwise as The Lensman and The Jolly Large have fearsome spouses.
Curiously, the takeaway menu can differ dramatically from the sit-down menu. Only a couple weeks earlier than the lockdown began, solely a collection of seemingly generic curries have been on provide with nearly none of their normal Sri Lankan staples obtainable – regardless of my pleading. No rationalization was given, particularly as a wider cross-section of their full menu had been provided for takeaway previously.
This, together with the truth that some dishes are saved on show in bain maries after which microwaved to order, makes it simple to dismiss Everest Curry King out of hand or to underestimate it.
Consuming in at Everest Curry King
On the time of writing, it’s not clear when Londoners will be capable of break bread collectively once more in public. That’s, fairly clearly, existentially problematic for eateries serving dishes ill-suited for supply. It’s additionally troublesome for these corresponding to Everest Curry King which have held again their finest dishes for eat-in prospects.
Though the lamb kotthu wasn’t as feathery delicate because the variations obtainable at both Hoppers or Colombo Kitchen, it was nonetheless delicate with a cossetting heat bolstered by hearty, meaty flecks of lamb. The heaving portion was nearly massive sufficient to be a meal in its personal proper, so I used to be glad to have the Lensman’s assist in sprucing it off.
The fairly crisp shells of the mutton rolls held a modestly earthy and meaty filling. They weren’t anyplace as luxurious because the model at Paradise Soho, making up for his or her middle-of-the-road style and texture with heft and dimension as an alternative.
Whereas fluffy, spongy and comely-looking, the vadai tasted of little – even when dipped within the sauce on the facet.
Though the the eggplant within the aubergine curry was solely fairly fleshy, it had an nearly candied-like sweetness to it whereas the dry rub of a sauce bristled with a cumulative, tingly warmth. It was a life-affirming factor that wanted a greater carb mop than the skinny and leathery roti.
That surprising candied-like sweetness made one other stunning look within the devilled prawns. Though these crustaceans didn’t pack any spicy warmth in any respect – peculiarly uncharacteristic of devilled Sri Lankan dishes in my expertise – they have been chewy and loaded with umami in addition to sweetness. Odd, however winsome all the identical.
Takeaway from Everest Curry King
Curiously, all the takeaway dishes have been equipped chilly and needed to be reheated earlier than consuming. Though Everest Curry King’s takeaway lamb curry solely had a transient spicy warmth and chunks of moderately generic meat, the hints of star anise and cardamom dotting the reddish brown expanse helped make up for it. The hen curry wasn’t as subtle, however at the least its intermittent spicy warmth was way more fiery and potent.
A vegetarian curry paired spinach with what was most likely both break up peas or mung beans. It proved to be a vibrant and zesty mixture, however by no means too sharp or overpowering.
Curried chickpeas packed a peppery warmth that rivalled the hen in prickly heat.
Relying in your perspective, Everest Curry King’s stuffed rotis look both like big supple skinned samosas or bulging, engorged aloo parathas. The meat model noticed the roti full of floor lamb and potatoes to hearty impact. The vegetarian variant wasn’t fairly as winsome, however its heaving cargo of peas and potato items nonetheless performed their appetising components nicely.
A handful of desserts can be found for takeaway, such because the halwa which packed a strident vegetal sweetness into its fluffy, tightly crumbed and evenly grainy expanse. Though not the most effective tasting halwa I’ve ever had, it was nonetheless a much better dessert than the pittu. The dusting of coconut on its floor was by far essentially the most edible factor right here – positive grained but crumbly and drier than a dust-covered shelf, it was devoid of flavour. Even worse, it had an off-putting aroma oddly paying homage to plasticine.
The Verdict
Everest Curry King is without doubt one of the oddest institutions I’ve eaten at. For an eatery so depending on its takeaway commerce, now greater than ever, its takeout operations will be surprisingly haphazard with an inconsistent providing and poor communication.
Consuming out in a post-lockdown however nonetheless socially distanced London might be a much more decentralised affair with a better number of eating places taking firmer maintain within the suburbs and boroughs away from zone 1, nearer to the place most individuals stay. Whereas Lewisham locals can discover a lot to take pleasure in at Everest Curry King, the best way it’s run isn’t a template for that future.
Title: Everest Curry King
Deal with: 24 Loampit Hill, London SE13 7SW
Telephone: 020 8691 2233
Net: https://en-gb.fb.com/pages/class/Asian-Restaurant/Everest-Curry-King-954677004658887/
Opening Hours: seven days every week 10.00-23.00.
Reservations: not taken
Common price for one individual when shared between three: £15-20 approx. (extremely depending on how a lot you order)
Score: ★★★☆☆
