TOTA celebrate their 5^th birthday this month, so we had a word with Victoria and Gary to find out what keeps Tooting coming back for more...

Victoria (TOTA’s co-owner) and her partner Gary (chef and co-owner) moved to Tooting thirteen years ago, seeing the potential of the area (and they weren’t wrong). They opened TOTA five years ago, providing Tooting with an eclectic menu of seasonal and local produce.

Gary has an illustrious CV, cheffing in many high-end establishments over the years, including Cameron Mackintosh’s private yacht, Newton Vineyard, The Queen’s Grill on the QE2, Chez Nico on Park Lane, Quaglino’s in the 80s… the list goes on!

TOTA’s grown into a popular spot all week round. The Tuesday half-price rib and steak night (more on that later) and the weekend brunch packs punters in on a regular basis.
 

As for ingredients, Gary and Victoria like to source locally as much as they can. “All our meat comes from Smithfields,” says Victoria, “but we get most of our our fruit and veg from local suppliers. Danny at Tooting Broadway supplies loads of our fruit and veg, and we get more exotic produce from Prime Foods a few doors down and Istanbul Food Gate on Mitcham Road. We’re really keen to source as much produce as possible from local businesses to support the community and the local economy.”

“And we try to make sure our produce is always seasonal and from the UK,” adds Gary, “we recently sourced venison from Hampshire and Chanterelle mushrooms from the New Forest.”
 

Gary continues: “I like to keep the menu reasonably small – I’m keen to do a few things, but to do them really well. I’d recommend our huevos rancheros, as they’re always a winner. The smoked pork ribs are also a massive favourite. I think it’s to do with the fact we take great care in preparing them in our very own smoker on-site. People keep coming back for them, so we’re obviously doing it right.”

“It also helps that all our ingredients are fresh – never frozen,” adds Victoria. “We take massive pride in everything we do. We even bake our own focaccia.”
 

And apart from the potential that they saw, what’s made them stay here?

“We love Tooting,” says Victoria, “the diversity, the vibrancy, the community spirit – there’s always something going on. It really is a unique place with fabulous heritage and an exciting future which we’re so glad to be part of!”
 

It would have been rude not to try the food, so we settled in for some steamed duck gyozo dumplings with ponzu sauce, and then, seeing as it was Tuesday, we took advantage of the half-price ribs offer (plus some courgette fries). The pictures don’t do them justice – the ribs were sticky, sweet and gorgeous (and the finger bowls were much appreciated)!
 

So, happy birthday TOTA – here’s to many more years!

TOTA is open Tuesday to Thursday, 10.30am to 10.30pm; Friday & Saturday, 9am to 10.30pm; Sunday 9am to 5:30pm.

See their board for daily specials and cocktails (with alcohol-free options available). Every Tuesday is half-price steak and ribs night.

TOTA is located at 102 Tooting High St, SW17 0RR. Call 020 8767 1122 to book, and find out more on their website. You can also follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.