Located in London's bustling Earls Court, a haven for business folk and tourists alike, this Masala Zone is one of the chains busiest venues. But, one might ask, is this popularity a result of great food, or simply a great location?

The Venue
Although it's not as flashy as some of its sister locations, the Earls Court branch has a soothing, relaxed feel. The walls are draped in tribal murals that blend nicely with the red and black colour scheme and create a warm, inviting feel, set nicely against red wooden tables, bamboo, mirrors and canvas light fixtures that fill the spacious dining room. And somehow (give or take the occasional screaming baby), things are kept to a nicely manageable din.

The Atmosphere
This Masala Zone attracts a crowd comprised predominantly of tourists and business people who've ventured out from their hotels in search of some decent local food. Before long they find themselves presented with Masala Zone, where they are greeted by friendly and pleasant staff eager to show them to a seat and provide them with a meal. First timers feel relaxed, as the eager-to-please servers guide them through the menu and make suggestions. The service rarely lags and most tables experience a visit from management, who stop by to ensure everything is as it should be.

The Food
Billed as 'home style' Indian cooking, the menu focuses on providing well balanced, tasty offerings of both traditional Indian dishes and the not-so-traditional 'street food' commonly found in the stalls of India, but rarely in the restaurants of London. In this regard, Masala Zone is a success. Careful consideration has gone into presenting a menu that accommodates a variety of tastes, and even has a noodle section for those folks who were begrudgingly dragged into an Indian restaurant by their companions. But their claim of the food being the 'best' Indian food in town would be a stretch.

Notable menu items include the chicken samosa starter, which combines two light croquettes with curried chickpeas in what's a well balanced, flavourful dish. Chicken noodles offers rice noodles, chicken and vegetables tossed in a light soy-based sauce, all served in a heavy crockery bowl. This dish could serve two if you ordered enough starters to carry you through. Then, there is the thali, the dish that made the chain. Here you get a well-balanced meal, with your choice of curries, lemon rice poppadum and whatever sides the kitchen is preparing that day. The curries are basic, but good, and the sides are hit or miss depending on your expectations.

Desserts are not terrible. The gulab jamun is a crowd pleaser and could vaguely remind you of grandma's home made doughnuts and ice cream, if you were feeling generous. Rasmalai could be accused of being heavy on the saffron, thus creating an almost chalky aftertaste to a dish made from milk and milk curd.

The Drink
The usual suspects are present here, so expect to quench your thirst with sodas, fruit juices, mineral water and the like. If you're feeling adventurous you can choose from traditional Indian offerings such as the lassi yoghurt drink or the incredibly refreshing nimboo pani. Beer and mixed drinks unfortunately come with limited choices but you'll find a host of wines - some of which you may recognise, some of which you won't. Many of the reds are strong enough to carry the flavours of the meals, but you may find that they improve as they breathe, so factor that in when choosing.

The Last Word
Masala Zone delivers reasonably good food for the asking price. The staff are pleasant, know the menu, and are devoted to the company. Although the company's assertion that they deliver the best Indian food in town is a matter of debate, their ability to provide an enjoyable dining experience is not.

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