Kapil Varshney Went to Raai in Basingstoke, and let me tell you… my inner Desi Dad was VERY impressed. And trust me, impressing a Desi Dad with restaurant food is harder than passing CA exams.
First of all, the prices. Arre wah! Reasonable. Sensible. Pocket-friendly. For once I ate outside without calculating ‘yeh ghar pe bana lete toh…’ in my head.
Now the food:
• Pav Bhaji: Perfectly buttery. Spicy enough to wake your senses but not your ancestors.
• Vada Pav: FINALLY, a vada pav that doesn’t taste like mashed potato pretending to be from Mumbai. This one had personality.
• Masala Dosa: Crispy, golden, and made me temporarily forget I’m in Basingstoke and not wandering somewhere in South India looking for filter coffee.
• Veg Thali: VALUE. FOR. MONEY. Portions so generous even my inner Gujarati approved. Everything tasted like it was made by someone who isn’t afraid of spices — God bless them.
Service? Fast. No unnecessary attitude. No one hovering around waiting to snatch your plate the moment you take the last bite. Desi Dad approves.
Overall:
Good food, good quantity, good prices.
If you’re in Basingstoke and want proper desi street-food vibes without taking out a loan, Raai is the place.
Will I go again?
Bilkul. Maybe I’ll even take the kids… if they behave.
