I barely believe I have been to the same restaurant! Dingy surroundings (grubby toilets, buckets to catch leaks on the floor) and uninterested staff combined with lacklustre food to make a depressing experience. The portions were very small, and my spinach and gram flour dumplings were tasteless. The chicken tikka was flavourful, but my main course, Nizami Murgh (chicken with coconuts and nuts) was as bland as a supermarket ready meal. The daal accompaniment was actually unpleasant, and the cottage cheese balls dessert was ridiculously priced for a mouthful of chemical-tasting puff. I left feeling really disappointed, and found the experience quite overpriced.

I just wanted to give my heartiest thanks to the staff of the Chowki for the service which is fast but good. The food is cheap and good quality. The chairs are a different standard, not like other restaurants in London. Chowki has variety and quality. The environment is good. The staff are good.
I recommend this place to many people in my circle.

Wanted a GOOD Indian, narrowed it down to a couple, this was nearest to where I was. I dined with a friend, one starter, two mains and one desrert and a great wine (£22) total under £60.00 which includes service. Good location, pleasant interior. I did not like the seats, large backless cushions, as I like to lean back. The food was superb. The small portion is suprisingly filling. The starter was a spicy deep fried fish and dip. A good entree. The two mains from different regions, were both very good, but the chicken dish was the better. The sorbet desert was as it should be, but not outstanding. The carefully flavoured and spiced main course won it for me, so makes this site better than most in the area.

We recently went to Chowki and quite liked the food and overall atmosphere. I think it's a great idea to serve food from different parts of India as it is very different from the mainstream curry house dishes and the dishes were quite authentic as well.

The only concern before going was we had read somewhere about its small portions but after eating in there I would say that although the portions are small as compared to a regular Indian restaurant they are enough for one person. Considering you can order one starter, one main course and one dessert for £10.95 at the time we went it is good value for money. Although I only had one main course as it comes with rice, bread and vegetable/lentil dish for £5.95 which is quite cheap. The food was well presented as well, I particularly liked the white oval plates. Well done Chowki and all the best !!!

Chowki's good points - very tasty, freshly cooked food, good unpretentious ambiance, great for non-bloating pre or after theatre dining.

Chowki's minus points - Lilliputian portions, uncomfortable seating, waiters over-anxious to give you the bill and sniffy, unapproachable maitre-d.

All in all, great for small eaters in an indecent hurry before curtains are up in nearby theatres.