Something I found out (which is obvious) this week, good news for LondonMeUp.Com, London is massive. There are still many areas, even I am still to roam, ‘We’re not in Kansas anymore.’ However it’s a good job because Kansas is over 100 times larger. Plus I don’t know where any of the pubs are.

As well as reviewing pubs of course, I’ve stretched the rules a tad with this here feature by loading restaurants in there as well, stating ‘the fact that you can still buy two pints in a restaurant.’ at the time. However now I’m stretching it just a smidgen more. Because Jai Krishna is an Indian restaurant, where you can order a variety of vegetarian South Indian cuisine, however one thing you cannot order, is alcohol. You can still, bring your own alcohol. So although pints are not necessarily provided by the venue in question, it’s still possible to have two pints whilst there. This review will simply bring the food selection, food quality, the service and the atmosphere into question.

The setting is the Jai Krishna, a Vegetarian BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) family restaurant at the top of Stroud Green Road. The day is a busy, bustling Friday night. On a Friday / Saturday night the place gets quite busy, so if planning to visit on those days you’d do well to book a table. Especially if dragging a large cargo train of a party with you. The requirement to book is a small hassle to pay, for a full, vibrant restaurant full of other hungry punters enjoying the wares. The eating experience is made so much greater by the inclusion of strangers to enjoy it with. (Obviously to enjoy it with strangers you don’t speak to, sat on other tables, let’s not get silly).

The best thing about it? Hands down, the price. Bring Your Own Bottle Restaurants are somewhat of a rarity, especially good, honest ones tend to pull a woollen jumper over your head by claiming they’re nice and friendly, “Come. Eat. Bring some wine, it’s fine! Relax and enjoy yourself.” But then all the money they miss out on selling booze (not that much as it’s heavily taxed), and more, is made up on expensive meal prices, small portions, and bottle opening charges. Well Jai Krishna have taken serious roads to prove they’re not all the same.  If you’re going to run a BYOB, you don’t have to be an evil businessman, twiddling your moustache in the corner.

The prices (about £2 rice dishes and starters, £3-4 mains, and £1-2 extras give you the uncommon feeling of frivolity by not even glancing at them. You can sit there, looking at the menu thinking hmmm, that looks nice, so does that, and that… I’ll have it all. I suggest whatever the size of your group, you all order a different starter/main and a rice dish between 2, then share it all out. The portions are reasonable enough for everyone to get a slice of everything, and the prices so tiny no one can get annoyed. I was centered in a party of 7, far too much was ordered. Starter, main, rice x 7, plus enough poppadoms and naans to feed Ganesh. As well as the obvious advantage of a heavier wallet, small prices also mean this was the first mass restaurant eating experience I’ve had (more than 3 people) without some sort of misunderstanding of the bill (everyone forgets the bread). If you’re only paying a tenner, you don’t mind heaping a bit more change on there.

All of this, along with friendly service, sounds of busy chatter and laughter, and the surprisingly fair quality of the food in question, made for a great night out, whatever the price.

BEER SELECTION: Depends on how you look at it. On one hand, no selection. On the other, anything you want! ***

COST OF A MEAL: Incredible they even make a profit. £7 each, indulge yourself for a tenner. *****

STAFF: Very very fast food preparation, friendly, accommodating. But don’t wait for them to take your order, do it at the counter.****

FOOD: Great quality, go for an exotic dish for £1 extra and you won’t regret it. ****

SKIRT RATIO: Not like you’re going to slide onto another table and start cheese-balling a foreigner, but the busy, happy atmosphere makes a great setting. ***

Overall: I was going to give it ****, but having just seen that I gave the same to ‘Giraffe’ in Spitalfields, it’s better than that. *****

Jai Krishna - Finsbury Park - Brought to you by James Wormald -