Putney's Chook Chook Indian Railway Kitchen is a restaurant all about showcasing different dishes from India's many regions in a sophisticated way. Based just a short walk away from the south bank of the river Thames, its prime location on Lower Richmond Road means that its easily accesible from both Putney and Barnes stations. So if you're wanting a hearty Indian meal but with an added level of elegance, Chook Chook could be just the spot you're looking for.
The restaurant's dark green facade features floor to ceiling windows which can be opened out fully, allowing plenty of light to flood inside. Meanwhile the low-lit interiors almost give Chook Chook the feeling of a basement bar. Self contained booths are upholstered in green leather on one side of the room, while dark wooden walls are decorated with a variety of artworks.
Food-wise, the menu covers a huge amount of ground meaning that you're never going to be short of choice at Chook Chook Indian Railway Kitchen. A designated chaat section of the menu includes everything from a mango chana chaat to a palak and crispy kale chaat. Other starters range from tandoori stuffed mushrooms to meatier offerings such as marinated quail, and Awadhi lamb chops.
The largest chunk of the menu is however, of course, dedicated to curries. Vegetable-based options include paneer butter masala and Bombay aloo, while a railway chicken curry and Karahi prawn masala lead the meat and fish options. A number of sides are also available including naans to mop up any leftover curry. On top of this, there is also a separate menu entirely dedicated to vegans.
The bar menu features a short but sweet list of wines by the bottle, with a few also available by the glass. There are also a variety of beers, cocktails, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks, including lassis, on offer.