Picture of Ram's, HA3 0HD

Historical version 3 of Ram's, HA3 0HD (view current version)

Totally-vegetarian Indian restaurant, sweet shop, and catering service in Kenton. According to their website, they are vegan-friendly and Jain-friendly. They also do takeaway and delivery, with online ordering via Hungry House and via Just Eat.

The restaurant seats around 60-70 people at melamine-topped tables for 4-6, each surrounded by tall-backed black pleather chairs. Decor is fairly plain, but enlivened by paintings of Ganesha on the walls and a fringe of blue fairy lights running down the centre of the ceiling. It seems to be licensed, as the small bar in the corner has a selection of spirits on optics.

Kake visited on a Thursday lunchtime in September 2016. There were no other customers when I arrived around 2pm, but by the time I left there were half a dozen others in. A Bollywood music video channel (B4U) was showing on a flatscreen with the sound on, not too loud.

I decided to try their all-you-can-eat buffet (£6). The buffet station wasn't enormously extensive — three hot dishes, three chutneys, salad, plain rice, and two desserts — but the food was well-executed, and the hot dishes were all distinct in flavour photo of my first plate from the buffet. Tap water was set out next to the buffet, ready-poured in metal cups and also in metal jugs for self-service top-ups.

Blackeye beans were lovely and tender, and certainly among the best I've ever had in terms of texture. Dal was also well-judged in texture, and subtly seasoned to allow the flavour of the lentils to come through. The third hot dish was a savoury combination of potato, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, and peas; I'd been prepared for the peas to be overcooked, as they so often are, but these were just fine, still tender and juicy.

Rice was fine, neither oversalted nor overcooked, with nicely distinct grains. The chutneys were also worth a mention, particularly the beautifully herby green one. The salad had too many large pieces of carrot in it for my taste, but this is just personal preference.

One of the big selling points of the buffet here is the inclusion of unlimited freshly-cooked puri photo. I was given three to start with, and reminded twice to ask for more if I wanted them. They were rich and flaky, and not overly greasy. I'm more of a rice person, but I can see bread-lovers being very happy with these.

Kake's verdict: I'd definitely come back if I was in the area.

Child-friendliness: They have at least three Antilop-style highchairs. No obvious nappy-change facilities.

Accessibility: A step to get in on both sides. Two more steps to the toilets.

See also:

Last visited by Kake, September 2016.
OS X co-ord: 516860 OS Y co-ord: 188491 (Latitude: 51.582672 Longitude: -0.313177)
This is version 3 (as of 2016-12-04 18:09:40). View current version. List all versions.