The South Indian state of Kerala is known for its beauty, rich spices and ancient Ayurvedic traditions. Phoenician, Syrian, Greek, Arab, Roman, Chinese and in the first century, Christian and Jewish settlers who visited the coast have influenced the state's cuisine.

Thousands of miles away in Wood Green, contemporary La Kera uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients to give customers an opportunity to sample the flavours of this colourful land. Vegetarians find dishes of thoran, chopped seasonal vegetables stir fried with onion, fresh coconut and mustard seeds, to please them.

The lunchtime menu focuses on light choices such as uthappam pancakes, or chilli paneer, cottage cheese in a tomato and chilli sauce, served with traditional porotta bread.

Dinner is more elaborate, with specials such as chemmeen green mango curry of prawns cooked in coconut sauce with curry leaves, as well as flavoursome dosa pancakes and biryanis. Exciting Indian desserts and good wines play their part well in complementing La Kera's spicy food