Rani Pure Vegetarian Restaurant
www.rani.uk.com
Contributed by
The rumoured love for Rani seems to come in waves, which I suspect is linked to changes in management over the years. The one reliable aspect of this restaurant is their mostly clear labelling of common allergens on their popular 100% vegetarian buffet (I say mostly because a sauce with dairy wasn't labelled appropriately on my visit). If you have a Tastecard, the buffet is a great deal – at the time of writing, membership gives 50% off food, which means two people can chow down on all you can eat dishes for £7.50 apiece.
The usual £15 price tag for the buffet seems a little steep for food that's sitting under a heat lamp waiting to be consumed, but the offerings here are admittedly better than at most buffets. On my visit the best dishes included bhel puri, a selection of bhajias, banana methi, lilotri Sak, and chola. Rice accompanied, of course, along with a selection of chutneys and sauces. The buffet also features mini dosa, which are made to order upon asking your server, and are pretty damned tasty. For afters there's fruit salad.
Rani is a great place to eat if you have the aforementioned Tastecard and have a big appetite for deep fried food and comfort curries that are on the mild side.