Potli feels a little off the beaten track, tucked away on a quiet street in Ravenscourt Park and has the potential to be overlooked, so it’s a joy to see this neighbourhood restaurant thriving during the midweek service. Brimming with personality from the decor through to the enthusiastic staff, it’s no wonder that locals are drawn here.
Our evening kicks off with an Old Delhi Mojito, which draws together Southern Indian flavours of curry leaf, chilli and famous Indian Old Monk rum. It's a lovely little mix, retaining the zest and freshness of a mojito, but with complexity and heat. Like so much at Potli, it's surprising, and wonderful in a way that makes you widen your eyes.
Eager for food after success sampling the drinks, we tuck into a range of small plates such as pani puri and bhel puri, both of which are a fine example of these Indian classics. The bhel puri in particular proves to be a hit, offering texture from the puffed rice, and a combination of flavour profiles through sweet onions, fresh cucumber and tangy chutney.
Generously sized sharing platters follow with the likes of onion bhajis, badami lamb chops and paneer, leaving just enough room to work our way through the curries. The choice is extensive from wild boar vindaloo to a majestic prawn curry. Each dish brings its own star quality, but the Champaran Mutton was the real stand out - goat meat is cooked on the bone until impossibly soft, with mustard oil, onions, garlic and a mix of spices. Packing hefty flavour without intense spice, we found ourselves mopping up every last morsel with buttery parathas.
A cardamom creme brulee rounds the evening off nicely - and was about the only thing we could squeeze in after such a feast.
To us, Potli has the whole package; lip-smackingly-good food, creative cocktails, and incredibly warm hospitality. It's the epitome of a local gem, and we hope it continues to see the success it deserves.