Petersfield Curry Club

Madhuban - January 2012

2012-01-12T13:27:00.000Z

We enjoyed a convivial meeting on 11th January, even though the arrangements were slightly disturbed by the fact that the Bluebell Inn was closed. A quick series of texts and phone calls let all our regulars know that we'd start at the Spreadeagle instead. On a slightly chilly and damp night, this was a very pleasant place to take our aperitifs.

Dinner was delayed a few minutes by the need to ferry those without cars up to the resturant, but we had a warm welcome from the staff at the Madhuban. They selected a really interesting menu for our meal. After papadums and a very good mixed starter, the main courses included Jungli Mas (lamb with bay leaves and red chillis), Korma Murchwangan (mild-to-medium chicken in a red sauce), Madhuban's special lamb, served in a balti, and a delicious mixed vegetable curry. Pilau rice and naan breads accompanied. Everyone was delighted with the range of great flavours and the sheer quality of the food. Nothing was excessively chilli-hot, so everyone could taste every dish. It's worth a mention that the full menu (pdf download here) offers a whole range of tempting delights. I'm plotting a return trip to try the Naga chilli stir fry.

The Madhuban does everything to make your visit a great experience. This was a fine way to spend a winter evening, and we'll visit again sooner rather than later.

Web: www.madhubanrestaurant.co.uk

Table booked for Wed 11th January - Madhuban, Liss

2012-01-04T20:05:00.000Z

Happy New Year 2012 to all our members and friends! The table for the first meeting of the year is booked, at Madhuban, Liss on Wednesday 11th January at 20:30. Aperitifs will be at the Blue Bell (marked with an 'A' on the map below) from about 19:30. It's only a few minutes' walk to the restaurant.

View Larger Map
The confirmation e-mail has been sent to everyone on the mailing list, but you can also let us know if you're coming or not through the feedback page on our web site.

Madhuban is the outstanding Tandoori restaurant in our area and we look forward to this visit as a great way to start 2012's activities. For your diary, the subsequent meetings are planned to be at Paradise Balti, Petersfield and Dhanmondi, Whitehill, on 8th Feb and 14th March respectively (correcting my earlier error).

Table booked for 14th December: Spice Lounge, Petersfield

2011-12-06T19:24:00.003Z

We're booked at Spice Lounge for Wed 14th, dinner at 20:30 as usual. Kulchi Lamb, their delicious slow-cooked leg of lamb, has been ordered. Aperitifs will be at the Red Lion from about 19:30.

Christmas is nearly here and I'd like to remind members that our Amazon shop is open for business. I've made some recommendations on the Indian food page, and there's also a selection of 2012 restaurant and pub guides in our Christmas 2011 section.

The usual e-mail will be sent to members. Space is limited and we need to know whether to order one or two legs of lamb, so please be sure to reply, ideally by Monday night. Looking forward to a great evening next Wednesday!

November meeting - Malabon, Petersfield

2011-11-01T09:13:00.000Z

The table is booked! Our venue for Wednesday 9th November is Malabon, Dragon Street, Petersfield - dinner at 20:30. Aperitifs will be a few doors away at the Red Lion from about 19:30.

Malabon is a very popular place, and this will be our third visit in 2011. Please let us know by e-mail or through the feedback page on our web site whether you expect to make it or not (space is a little limited).

Christmas is coming, and I'd like to remind members that Petersfield Curry Club has an Amazon.co.uk online store that allows you to order books, music, kitchen equipment, electronics and many other goods and downloads including Kindle books. The Cobra Good Curry Guide 2012 is now available to pre-order (click here). Each sale brings a little commission that goes into the Curry Club beer kitty. Here's a link to a selection of Christmas present ideas including pub and restaurant guides. Please have a browse and let us know of any other things you'd like to see featured.

National Curry Week

2011-10-10T23:24:00.001+01:00

This week 09-15 October 2011 is the 14th annual National Curry Week. More info here.

Petersfield Curry Club meets every month on the second Wednesday. This month, on 12th Oct, we'll be visiting Gurkha Chautari in Liphook. Please follow this link for meeting details.

October meeting - Gurkha Chautari, Liphook

2011-10-03T19:41:00.001+01:00

The table is booked! Our October meeting will be in Liphook on Wednesday 12th. Aperitifs will be at the Links Hotel, Portsmout Road, from about 19:30 and dinner will be at Gurkha Chautari, Station Road, at 20:30.

As usual, please let us know if you'll be attending either by responding to the e-mail notice sent to members or via the feedback page on our web site.

This was our venue for the March meeting when we had the best turnout of the year so far. So by popular demand, we've added a second visit in 2011. It should be just as good, and to add to that, let's hope that we can celebrate England reaching the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup and drink to their success in the final two matches!

Meetings for Oct-Dec 2011

2011-09-15T11:05:00.001+01:00

We decided at the September meeting that our venues for the rest of 2011 will be (subject to table bookings):

12 October	Gurkha Chautari, Liphook
09 November	Malabon, Petersfield
14 December	Spice Lounge, Petersfield

When the table is booked for each meeting, I'll send out the usual e-mail and request that members confirm as far as possible if they'll be able to make it or not. We had some issues last night because the restaurant had to fit in two more people than the original number booked, at only about 15 minutes' notice.

For early 2012, ideas include the Bay Leaf in Grayshott, and a further visit to Petersfield's new Thai restaurant where we held last night's meeting, Siam.

September meeting - Siam, Petersfield

2011-08-31T23:50:00.000+01:00

Aperitifs at: Red Lion from about 19:30

Dinner at: Siam (Thai restaurant!) at 20:30

The table is booked, but we're being a little more adventurous this month. The venue is Siam, the new Thai restaurant at 16-18 Dragon Street, Petersfield. I haven't tried or even seen it myself yet, but at a guess, it's where Zen was last time I went down Dragon Street. Please let me know by e-mail or through the feedback page on our web site whether you expect to be there or not; in addition, they asked whether (weather??) we'd like a table in the garden, so please say Garden or Inside on your reply.

This should be an interesting change from the regular curry club round of fine Indian and Bangladeshi eateries, so there's the possibility of a sizeable turnout and it would be very helpful to have an idea of numbers well in advance.

August meeting - Malabon - Petersfield - Wed 10th

2011-07-30T21:34:00.000+01:00

The table's booked, and Malabon is looking forward to welcoming us on Wednesday 10th August. Pre-meal refreshments will be at the highly adjacent Red Lion.

In my experience, Malabon serves great Bangladeshi food in an uncluttered dining room, even though you'd struggle to know that from their web site which appears to be down at the moment. If you want to know more, you'll do slightly better with the Petersfield Web Cam site which lists the menu amongst the Indian takeaways.

Please e-mail or use the feedback form on the web site to let us know if you'll be able to attend. Malcolm is the organiser on the evening. Enjoy!

Meeting report - Dhanmondi - 13 July 2011

2011-07-14T17:48:00.000+01:00

Dhanmondi gave us a great welcome and an interesting and varied meal for our July meeting, which made up for a slightly low turnout. Highlights included a very tasty mixed starter, and a fiery garlic chilli chicken dish where chilli and coriander had been ground together before cooking. The murgh massala had really good-sized portions of meat, and we also enjoyed a lamb curry and balti chicken. There was also a saag chicken, and a selection of chick-pea, dhal, rice and naan accompaniments.

As a little refresher afterwards, the kitchen gave us jelabi. This is something I haven't had in years, and needed reminding how it's made: fast deep-fry a swirl of batter, and then dip the result in golden syrup. The portions are then served up with a scoop of ice cream on the side. Only for those with a sweet tooth.

One other Whitehill point to report: The Woodlark (Two for One) still didn't seem to have any of Marstons excellent range of bottled beers, but it did have the Wychwood Brewery's Hobgoblin ale on draft, presumably as a guest beer. This is a very decent pint, which tastes far better on draft than out of a bottle. Almost worth a visit in itself.

We decided that the August meeting (Wednesday 10th) will be at Malabon in Petersfield. A notice will be sent out around the end of July.

July meeting - Dhanmondi, Whitehill

2011-07-06T00:32:00.003+01:00

The table is booked! We'll be going to Dhanmondi in Whitehill on Wednesday 13th July. Aperitifs will be in the Woodlark, the Marston's pub just over the road, from about 19:30. I wonder if they've found room for their wonderful range of bottled beers yet. As usual, dinner is at 20:30.

Please let us know by e-mail or using the feedback form on our web site if you expect to attend (or not).

View Larger Map

June meeting, Madhuban, Liss - Wed 8th

2011-05-31T19:08:00.000+01:00

The table is booked! June's meeting will be at Liss, with aperitifs at the Blue Bell from about 19:30, and then dinner will be at Madhuban at 20:30. Madhuban is a great restaurant; you can see some of the reviews from previous visits by clicking the title text of this message.

This is the one restaurant on our circuit that's deservedly a fixture in the Good Curry Guide, so to give us the best chance of fitting everyone in, please e-mail to let us know if you'll attend or not, or use the feedback form on our website. Malcolm will be the organiser on the evening. Enjoy!

May meeting - Spice Lounge, 11th May

2011-05-03T18:40:00.000+01:00

The table is booked! The May meeting will take place on Wednesday 11th in Petersfield, with aperitifs at the Red Lion from 19:30 and then dinner at 20:30 at the Spice Lounge. The original plan was to go to Foggys for a Thai curry, but the latest information was that the venue was no longer available. As a result, we needed to switch, and Spice Lounge is the choice. Members will be advised by e-mail but please pass the message on by word of mouth (just in case).

Judith will be the organiser on the evening, and to help us with planning, please let me know as soon as possible by e-mail or using the feedback page on our website whether or not you expect to make it. Apologies to anyone who tried and failed to use this link last month - I typed the wrong ending on the address.

Should be a good one - this is now our most visited venue, and a favourite of many members.

May meeting - Spice Lounge

2011-04-28T19:37:00.002+01:00

Here's a pre-notice of the May meeting which is due to take place on Wednesday 11th. It was to be a Thai curry at Foggys but my informant tells me that the venue is no longer available. As a result we've switched to Spice Lounge. The e-mail to members will be sent as soon as I know who will be the organiser on the evening.

April - Paradise Balti, Petersfield

2011-03-15T23:49:00.001Z

The table is booked! We're back to Paradise Balti (last visited in November) on Wednesday 13th. Aperitifs will be at the Red Lion. Malcolm's your organiser for the evening. Please let me know whether you plan to be there, either by e-mail or by using the website feedback form, so that we have a reasonable idea of numbers expected.

Have a great evening!

March meeting - Gurkha Chautari, Liphook - Wed 9th

2011-02-28T22:17:00.000Z

The table is booked! Our March venue is the Gurkha Chautari, Liphook. Aperitifs will be at the Links Hotel, Portsmouth Road, from 19:30. It's only a 5 minute walk or an even shorter drive to the restaurant, in Station Road.

Malcolm will be the organiser on the evening. Members are asked to confirm by e-mail or through the feedback page on our web site. Have a great evening!

February meeting - Liss - Wed 9th - Madhuban

2011-02-02T19:21:00.001Z

The table is booked! The next Petersfield Curry Club meeting will be at Madhuban, Liss, on Wednesday 9th February. Aperitifs will be at the Bluebell Inn (it's on the corner of Station Road and Farnham Road, just a few minutes' stroll from the restaurant) from about 19:30. Dinner will be at 20:30.

Madhuban is a tremendous restaurant, a great favourite of the Curry Club, and renowned for its fine cooking and great welcome. So that we can be sure of fitting everyone in, please let us know as soon as possible by e-mail or through the feedback page of the web site if you expect to be there (and indeed, if not). Malcolm will be the organiser on the evening, and I'll make sure he knows the numbers in advance.

Hope you all have very enjoyable evening - Madhuban is excellent, highly recommended and quite rightly so.

February meeting - Liss - Wed 9th - Madhuban

2011-01-31T17:25:00.000Z

The next Petersfield Curry Club meeting will be at Madhuban, Liss, on
Wednesday 9th. Table to be booked - will update with further details when
this is done.

Curry could cure the common cold - Daily Telegraph

2011-01-20T00:05:00.000Z

You probably knew it from your own experience but the DT article (19th Jan 2011) suggests that fenugreek, a common ingredient of curry, could be a 'winter fix-all elixir'.

Well worth a read, if you're looking for an excuse to go out for a curry soon...

Curry Club January meeting - Malabon, Petersfield

2011-01-07T19:10:00.000Z

We wish a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011 to all our members. An Ashes series win in Australia isn't a bad way to kick the year off, and personally, I'm looking forward to the 6 Nations and the Rugby World Cup.

The table is booked! January's meeting will be at the Malabon, Dragon Street, Petersfield, at 20:30 on Wednesday 12th. The Red Lion is the meeting place for aperitifs, from 19:30, or you're welcome to meet us at the restaurant at 20:30 if you prefer to go direct. Malcolm will be the host for the evening.

Whichever you choose, please let us know if you expect to be there (or not), ideally through the feedback form on the web site. If you want to update your e-mail address, please leave a note in there as well.

December - Spice Lounge, Petersfield

2010-11-17T22:29:00.001Z

The table is booked! The December meeting will be at Spice Lounge, Petersfield, on Wednesday 8th. The majority have decided to meet for drinks at the Red Lion from 19:30, but of course if others want to meet at the Old Square Brewery, that's no problem. Please though let us know if you're coming to dinner. Dinner will be at 20:30.

We've had some interesting comments about the reasons for lower attendances, but we had quite a good number at the November meeting. This took place at the Paradise Balti House, Lavant Street, and the feedback is that "the meal was excellent and the service was also great." The kitty and the shareout of the drinks bill are the two areas where changes were tried, and seem to have worked well to keep the bill within acceptable levels, and better fitted to individual needs.

We hope the December/pre-Christmas meeting will be well attended, so please let us know by e-mail or using the "I'm coming to the meeting " button on our feedback page.

Mentioning Christmas, you can find a selection of books about Indian food on our Amazon shop page, as well as links to many of the other fantastic present ideas that Amazon can offer. Shopping here can make money for the Curry Club kitty (and we've drunk the proceeds in the past), so it's quite a smart idea to use this as your portal to Amazon shopping.

Here's wishing all readers a very happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

November - and the future of the Petersfield Curry Club

2010-11-03T22:03:00.001Z

The table is booked! Petersfield Curry Club's November meeting will be at Paradise Balti, Lavant Street, on Wednesday 10th. Dinner will be at 20:30. This month, aperitifs will be at the Red Lion from about 19:30, but those want to meet up nearer to the restaurant, at the Old Square Brewery, are most welcome to do so. Please let me know whether you'll be coming and which pub you'll start from.

The December/Christmas meeting will be on Wednesday 8th December at Spice Lounge. Aperitifs that night will be at the Old Square Brewery at 19:30, but of course, anyone wanting to start further away can do so.

I'm afraid that work and distance keep me away from meetings at present. But based on e-mail discussions and attendance at meetings, I feel something of a crisis for the Curry Club. Most months, there have been well under 10 attendees, apart from when no less than 23 members and friends showed up for the free evening at the Red Lion. Typically I get less than a handful of replies to the monthly e-mail. Have people have lost their enthusiasm for a regular get-together?

Any comments or ideas would be welcome - either by e-mail to me or please comment to the posting here.

Petersfield Curry Club October meeting - Dhanmondi - Wed 13th

2010-10-12T22:06:00.002+01:00

We return to Dhanmondi, Whitehill, for the October meeting, on Wednesday 13th. Malcolm will be the organiser on the evening. Members - please advise if you expect to be there (or if not) so that we can give a good estimate of numbers. This is a favourite, very friendly, good food, and we've had some great evenings there.

Aperitifs will be at The Woodlark, just over the road from the restaurant, from about 19:30. This is a Marston's pub; while I've remarked before that it's a shame that they don't serve Marston's own excellent range of bottled beers, the draught offerings are pretty good. Dinner will be at 20:30.

Bay Leaf, Grayshott

2010-09-15T23:39:00.002+01:00

After a journey down to Dorset last Friday, we got back to Grayshott at nearly 10 p.m. Bay Leaf had a table available and we were in by 10 past. We enjoyed a delicious supper; mains were lamb piro-piro, a spicy dish with sauce similar to jalfrezi, and a beautifully-presented chicken shashlik, with bindi bhaji on the side. This tasted fantastic - the okra were cut into short lengths and cooked with a little tomato, giving a very light sauce, allowing some crunch in the vegetables. Best I've had since eating a few years ago at the Old India in Bristol. The service was friendly and though it was late in the evening, the atmosphere was good.

The menu is more varied and less purist Nepali than Gurkha Durbar, which people travel miles to visit. It's also a very small restaurant, and sometimes booking will be vital. None of this is bad news, it's just a different experience. Bay Leaf is a place I'll look forward to visiting again.

September meeting - Spice Lounge, Petersfield

2010-08-18T22:13:00.001+01:00

The September meeting will take place at Spice Lounge, Petersfield at 20:30 on Wednesday 8th. Aperitifs will be at the Red Lion from about 19:30.

Members will receive a reminder e-mail nearer the date. If you want to be added to the mailing list, please contact us through feedback page on our web site.

August meeting

2010-08-10T18:43:00.000+01:00

The August meeting will take place on Wed 11th in Petersfield. Aperitifs will be at the Red Lion from about 1930 and then dinner will be at the Malabon at 2030. Please let El Presidente know if you expect to be there. Sorry about the lack of an e-mail this month, but this message is coming from deepest Greece and I don't think there's a curry house within 250 miles.

May meeting - Gurkha Chautari, Liphook

2010-05-10T18:55:00.000+01:00

The May meeting will take place at Gurkha Chautari, Station Road, Liphook on Wednesday 12th May. Aperitifs will be taken at the Links Hotel from about 19:30 and dinner will be at 20:30.

El Presidente will be your host. Members are asked to confirm by e-mail or through the feedback page on our web site. Have a great evening!

April meeting - confirmed as Malabon

2010-03-31T20:02:00.002+01:00

El Presidente called to say that the April meeting will either be in Liss at Madhuban or in Petersfield at Malabon. He couldn't remember. Must be old age.

13/4: The venue is confirmed as Malabon, Dragon Street, Petersfield, with aperitifs at Foggys. Malcolm will be the host for the evening.

March meeting - Paradise Balti, Petersfield

2010-03-07T23:14:00.003Z

The e-mails will go out on Monday night but Petersfield Curry Club's March meeting will be at Paradise Balti, Lavant Street at 20:30 on Wednesday 10th March. El Presidente will be hosting the meeting.

Aperitifs will be taken at The Old Square Brewery from around 19:30. Please note - this is a change from the usual place.

Have a good one!

February meeting

2010-02-03T22:26:00.000Z

The booking at Dhanmondi, Whitehill, for 13th January was cancelled as too few members had responded to the meeting notice. It's not surprising, due to recent road and weather conditions, that people are reluctant to commit. There may well be a gathering at Foggys followed by a curry at one of Petersfield's three Indian restaurants instead.

Instead, the February meeting will take place at Dhanmondi on Wednesday 10th Feb.

January meeting - Dhanmondi - Whitehill

2010-01-06T19:27:00.004Z

The table is booked! We kick off the new decade with a visit to Whitehill and the friendly and enjoyable Dhanmondi restaurant on Wednesday 13th January. We liked it last year, and they're looking forward to our visit. The snow should have melted by then, and Petersfield should no longer feature in the national news - good reasons to enjoy a Curry Club evening.

For more details, see our previous reviews

Please let me know whether or not you expect to make it. I'll pass the details on to the organiser for the evening (I won't be able to be there). Have a good one!

Aperitifs at: The Woodlark from about 19:30 - or earlier at Foggys

Dinner at: Dhanmondi, Whitehill from 20:30

Biplob - Swindon

2009-12-11T11:08:00.000Z

On Wood Street, Swindon, this restaurant seems to have been adapted from knocked-though cellars under shops and houses - lots of stairs to climb on the way in, or to take a pressure break. It's a curry house with an interesting menu, with lots of choice, and the cooking seemed really good. Three of us had dinner there on Wednesday night, and we all enjoyed it. My colleagues chose prawn puree and sheekh kebab, and I took the mixed starter. The prawn puree had a tomato-based sauce rather than a deeper and darker pepper one, but it went down well. Sometimes a mixed started for one can be dull, but this had a good choice of tasters, and gave me a good feeling about the main course to come.

My colleagues both chose chicken tikka jalfrezi - plenty of spice, though they avoided the fresh chillies. I had a chicken korai - good pieces of chicken, hot sauce without excessive fat, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

It's a very pleasant and well-patronised place, and you can't always be sure of a free table. They take bookings on 01793 490265, and I'll certainly be going back as part of my Curry Furlong researches.

[11-Dec-2009]

December meeting - Spice Lounge, Petersfield - Wed 9th

2009-12-02T19:38:00.002Z

The table is booked! Our last meeting of 2009 takes place at the Spice Lounge restaurant in Petersfield, on Wednesday 9th December. Dinner will be at 20:30 as usual, and aperitifs will be at Foggys. Members, please respond to the e-mail that you'll receive shortly, so that we can get numbers about right.

We were last there in July, and at Spice Lounge we always look forward to a warm welcome, warmer curries, and a great social evening - a good way to round off 2009!

Lalbagh, Swindon

2009-11-24T22:03:00.005Z

Looking for a decent meal in windswept Swindon, I turned to Google which found me the Lalbagh restaurant. Somewhere, I saw the claim that it's the best Indian restaurant in Swindon, a town which isn't short of these establishments. The web site said 'National Curry Chef - Swindon Finalists', and Cobra has declared that this week (22 - 28 November) is National Curry Week, so what more excuse did I need?

The restaurant can be found in Rodbourne Road, Swindon, which is something of a takeaway strip - fish and chips, kebabs, Chinese, two other Indian places, but Lalbagh is a proper restaurant, if not big.

Tonight I needed to avoid heavy fried food, so I started with dal soup - lovely lentil taste, warming and a just the right thing on a cold evening. Then I chose Lamb Darjeeling Special - cooked with hot chillies in lemon flavour sauce - with pilau rice. This was really good - lots of meat, fresh tomatoes and onions, with a subtle tang of lemon. The chilli crept up on me slowly - by the end, I needed to mop my brow. But amazing - the plate showed no trace of grease or fat, and even though I'd left some of the sauce in the serving dish, none there either. Very good food, very flavourful, and this is a restaurant that I'd visit again. Soon.

Details: 171 Rodbourne Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 2AY. 01793 535511/535577

November meeting report - Gurkha Chautari, Liphook

2009-11-22T08:26:00.006Z

We had a good turnout and enjoyed fine cooking at the Gurkha Chautari in Liphook on Wednesday 11th November. The restaurant seems to be evolving in its style, quite distinct from the Gurkha Durbar in Grayshott, its sister. These are definitely not clones of each other.

The starters were the usual favourites - chicken livers, choila (peppery lamb), potota cakes and momo (steamed dumplings). They were all delicious - even one of our group who didn't normally eat liver agreed that this was the case.

Main courses were Khasi Bhutuwa (lamb), hot prawn curry, a medium chicken curry, sizzling tandoori chicken and a mixed vegetable curry that was so good and full of distinct flavours that it wouldn't disappoint as a main course dish (and I'm no vegetarian). Side dishes included rice, naans and bombay-style potatoes.

The cooking was interesting because we couldn't detect any garlic or heavy coriander tastes - instead, there was delicious cooking without heavy sauces. Others commented that maybe there had been too much rice, and maybe we should have had one more meat dish. But the overall impression was of enough spice - some real highlights from sensible use of chili - and everything very good and tasty.

This was a very good evening and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Highly recommended.

November meeting - Gurkha Chautari, Liphook

2009-11-03T21:57:00.003Z

The table is booked! Our November meeting takes place on Wednesday 11th, and the venue is the Grukha Chautari restaurant in Liphook.

Aperitifs will be from 19:30 at the Links Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Liphook and dinner will be at 20:30.

More details of the restaurant can be found here. We last visited in June 2009 - the report is on our blog.

An e-mail reminder/invitation will be sent to members of our mailing list. Please let me know if you expect to make it, either by replying through our feedback page or by e-mail.

November and December 2009 meetings

2009-10-30T09:37:00.008Z

Our November and December meetings will be as follows:

11th November - Gurkha Chautari, Liphook. Drinks: The Links Hotel

9th December - Spice Lounge, Petersfield. Drinks: Foggys

October meeting report - Malabon, Petersfield

2009-10-19T12:26:00.007+01:00

It was a first visit for most of us to Malabon, and as usual we asked them to choose the menu for us - which may have come as a surprise to them.

They did very well - a simple starter and then lamb curry (Gosht Lajawaab, marinated in spices & yogurt, cooked with cinnamon & coriander), a green chicken curry (from Goa), a king prawn special, and Radeshwari chicken (medium hot with tomatoes, chili and garlic). Side dishes included mushrooms, vegetable curry, naans and rice. This was a pretty good spread of food - loads of flavour - and we all enjoyed it.

Petersfield isn't a big place, so it's lucky to have three decent Indian restaurants. Malabon passsed the test, and will certainly be seeing us again soon.

October meeting - Petersfield - Malabon

2009-10-08T01:01:00.003+01:00

The table is booked! Our October meeting takes place on Wednesday 14th, and our venue is the new Malabon restaurant on Dragon Street.

As usual, aperitifs will be from 19:30 at Foggys and dinner will be at 20:30.

An e-mail reminder/invitation will be sent to members of our mailing list. Please let me know if you expect to make it, either by replying through our feedback page or by e-mail.

September meeting report - Madhuban

2009-09-29T19:49:00.005+01:00

We had a fine evening at the Madhuban in Liss on 9th September. The England football team had their decisive qualifying match for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and so the place was very quiet. We didn't mind at all - our group that evening was made up mainly of Rugby fans; England had already taken the lead by the time we left the pub. Result never in doubt! The staff made us very welcome and put on a fine display of cooking.

Starters included salmon pakura, hussaini kebab (minced chicken), shish kebab and onion bhajis.

Main courses were jungli mass - a dryish but very tasty lamb dish, naga lamb (hot chilis here), chicken tikka Darjeeling massala (Lodue's favourite), achari chicken, slow cooked lamb with apricot, balichow chicken, panch mela (mixed vegetable curry). Rice, naan and dhal were the accompaniments.

Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. Despite the fact that it was still Ramadan, and the staff had been fasting until sunset (7:35 that evening), they put on a great meal - in fact some of the best cooking that we can remember at a Curry Club meeting. Madhuban goes from strength to strength, and we look forward to our next visit.

September meeting - Madhuban - Wed 9th

2009-09-01T19:53:00.003+01:00

The table is booked! Our September meeting will be at Madhuban in Liss, on
Wednesday 9th. Please let me know if you'll be able to make it or not.
I've booked for 12, and if more want to come, we need to know sooner rather
than later.

Drinks will be at the Bluebell Inn, (map here) where Station Road meets
Farnham Road, from about 19:30.

Looking forward to a great evening!

Rasa N16 - Stoke Newington

2009-08-22T10:50:00.002+01:00

Leaving a week between eating at/reviewing a restaurant can develop perspective, and allow for a little revisionism. However, my impression of Rasa N16, billed as London's finest vegetarian sub-continental, has not altered greatly since Thor's day before last.

Val and I left very content*, full of wholesome South Indian homestyle cooking. The pre-meal snacks, chutneys (rich garlic, sour mango, astringent mixed vegetable, light, fresh coriander), and assorted poppadoms, banana chips, crunchy murukku, did more than stimulate the appetite. Starters of meltingly sweet plantains in a light batter, as well as Idli - steamed lentil buns with a stewy veg curry - kept up the eager anticipation.

The main events: Rasa Kayi, a spicy bean carrot, cauliflower and potato dish with a lovely undertone of fennel, tangy, mustard flavoured Okra and a rich, nutty ochre yellow daal, accompanied by sweet rice pancakes (Acchapam), as well as coconut and tart tamarind rice completed an eclectic and well balanced meal.

It gets busy, mostly with young Americans, and service, while polite and smiley is fast (veg takes little effort to cook - right?), but later in the evening or earlier in the week, it could be the ideal venue. Super VFM too.

High marks!

*albeit with a craving for Apple Crumble...(?)

FOOD (&DRINK): 4/5
SERVICE: 4/5
VALUE: 5/5
AMBIENCE: 3/5

willp2328 score: 8/10

Paradise Balti - August 12th

2009-08-06T21:54:00.003+01:00

The table is booked! Aperitifs at Foggys from about 19:30 and then dinner at the Paradise from about 20:30.

El Presidente will be your host next Wednesday evening, as we continue our focus on the restaurants of Petersfield. In September we hope to try out a new Petersfield venue, rumoured to be called Madhubon. Couldn't find it using Google, but maybe someone has a phone number and has already given it a try?

Please let us know by e-mail to el.presidente@petersfieldcurry.org.uk whether or not you expect to be there. Looking forward to a great evening!

July meeting - Spice Lounge, Petersfield

2009-07-09T20:32:00.002+01:00

We had a great turnout for our meeting at Spice Lounge, Petersfield, on Wednesday 8th July. The restaurant was very busy, and possibly this meant the staff were under pressure. We even struggled to get some hot pickle with the papadums, though to be fair, service picked up towards the end of the evening.

We enjoyed a mixed starter, comprising chicken chat puree, lamb kebab, chicken tikka, bread-crumbed chicken and onion bhaji. Then the main courses arrived. At our end of the table, we had lamb balti, CTM, lamb dhansak, prawn dhansak, chicken bhuna, vegetable curry. At the far end of the table, lamb jalfrezi and chicken chilli massala were briefly seen but never made it to us. Kulchi lamb came as promised, and was as tasty as ever. Sadly, my overall impression was that there was not much variation between the dishes - most things were suspiciously the same sort of deep red colour, mild to medium (not what we wanted) and very little spice.

All in all, the social side of the evening was far better than the food, and we'd rather have fewer dishes with a focus on doing the cooking right.

Reminder: Bryan Frost and the Ravons are doing a gig in aid of MND charities at the Festival Hall, Petersfield, on 1st August.

Tiffin - Canon Street, E1

2009-07-07T22:18:00.004+01:00

Tiffin has a ringing endorsement from the Cobra Good Curry Guide, and though of late my faith in The Good Book has wavered a little, it deserves praise. I actually ate there, which is more than the editors of The Guide are sometimes capable of, and so can pass reasonable judgement - not that I am in anyway Pontius Pilate.

Yes, Tony and I enjoyed a good meal, ordered plenty (Tony drives an ice cream van during the day so he's dying for something savoury come 9pm). BYO Kingfisher washed well and starters included smokey Chicken Tikka, gristle free, savoury Sheekh Kebab's, great persuasively cumin flavoured Lamb Chop's, Veg Samosas and Aubergine Bhajia's - fatty batter tends to make these somewhat predictable.

In between planning a Nineteen Thirties themed party with new Grammarphone as the centrepiece (it has one volume: LOUD), main courses were eagerly set upon. Dahi Murgh comprised chunks of Chicken in a fresh, light, paprika orange yoghurt sauce, Tandoori Vegetables, two delicious skewers, ever so slightly charred, the pumpkin exhibiting an extraordinary raw, sweet, yet tart lemony flavour, as well as rice and a doughy desert bread, doused in toothsome organic honey, proved highly satisfactory.

The owner was very personable and kept assuring us they were usually much busier - they are only about six tables so presumably an orderly Saturday-Night-In-Tower-Hamlets queue forms on such occasions. He also apologised several times for the fact they'd run out of After Eights, I didn't think it fair to tell him I prefered Ferrero Roche. But Trifles and Eton Mess aside, I will pop in again, forgot to mention the food is cheap.

FOOD (& DRINK): 3.5
VALUE: 4
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 3

Willp2328 score: 7/10

Sea Raj has closed

2009-07-02T20:28:00.000+01:00

Grayshott's innovative Sea Raj restaurant is now displaying a notice saying that it has gone out of business and that the restaurant is closed. Whether that's down to the recession, or to a lack of people wanting to try Indian fish cuisine, is a moot point, but it was an interesting experiment. No idea whether the owners have persisted with their larger premises in Farnham, but the lack of any web presence suggests not. Shame.

Elephant Walk - West Hampstead, NW6

2009-06-28T17:51:00.003+01:00

Too hot and humid for a preamble today, so I'll get straight into the review, sweat running from brow, feet in a bowl of ice, and so on.

Sri Lankan and South Indian restaurants used to be thin on the ground in London but not anymore, indeed there are several, most a cut above average. Elephant Walk is run by a husband and wife team and three or four very sweet and lovely waitresses. It is small but light in a cafe like way, easy to find - and yes, it is better than average, good to very good.

Starter options appeared a little unremarkable with the exception of Idli's and Dosa's, so we went straight into the mains. Eight of us, three Thali's - meat and vegetable curries, rice, Gothamba rotis (similar to Paratha's but more chewy) and sambol - much enjoyed, just as authentic King fish curry with coconut and tamarind and vegetable sambar were. There was a lot of food, too much to sample, even if portions were sensible.

I thought Ooru Mus, a Pork curry in a thick treacle coloured gravy was strongly reminiscent of a stringent and savoury roast chilli dominated Madras, while mushy Pumpkin registered mellow coconut but lacked a mustardy bite. Still both were comfortably above par.

To summarise: it's decent value, one could get stuffed and get out for £10 if a herbivore, £12 if a carnivore. Beers include Lion lager, apparently ubiquitous across Sri Lanka. The Wine List is mercifully concise, and despite a rather anaemic complexion, the Rose was very palatable. Phew!

FOOD (& DRINK): 3.5/5
VALUE: 3
SERVICE: 5
AMBIENCE: 3

Willp2328score: 7/10

Planet India - Brighton

2009-06-20T22:00:00.003+01:00

If you can find Planet India, you are in for a treat. A real treat. The kind you'll want to have all over again. But first a proviso: do not rely on Google Maps, listen to the directions given by the staff, and it helps if you're a fan of Baz Lurhmann - outside, inside it's very 'strictly ballroom'.

Once one has gotten over the cheap day glo splendour, the dancing waiters* and the fact the restaurant is v-e-g-e-t-a-r-i-a-n / v-e-g-a-n (no BYO meat allowed) one can really begin to enjoy oneself. Paul Mercurio would eat his purple heart out here!

I've never been served by a man in a nightie and flip flops before but he was so warm and kind, bluestockings such as I were able to overlook this. There are all sorts of unusual beers to be had - including Trashy Blonde - but the food is simply excellent. Big, simple, direct, delicious flavours. Large portions too.

We consumed with relish (ho ho), homemade Mango chutney and a wonderfully spicy, acrid pickle, then shared (almost) two bowls of chaat - the best, topped with sensationally fresh coriander leaf, sweet and tangy with tamarind yoghurt, and creamy with filling, fibrous chick peas. Taking the option of two half portions for the main course - constituting more than a whole - I delighted in a preperation of buttery little potatoes in a coconut rich tomato sauce and ochre yellow-orange daal, thick and hearty, reminiscent of the most wonderful veg stock. Chris had Sag Paneer, not quite so fulfilling, and Claire a gorgeous, perky Aubergine yoghurt curry. Cumin rice, moist and toasty, proved bountiful.

As I gazed out the window at the sea the following morning and spied a lone pink sail, I thought, only in Brighton! I imagine Planet India will remain hip in a kinda lo-kool way for some time, possibly until the inevitable death of our sun.

FOOD (& DRINK): 4.5
VALUE: 5
SERVICE: 5
AMBIENCE: 4

Willp2328score: 9/10

*only yoking!

Parveen - Islington, N1

2009-06-20T21:42:00.004+01:00

Parveen has been around since 1977 - you could call it a 'stalwart'. In appearance the place is no regular curry house though, more resemebling a deep continental restaurant, the kind you find crammed full of sweaty french sophists on a hot summer evening a travers de la mer.

The only sweats you'll get here are from the curries, if you order a Vindaloo in particular. Al, opted for Ginger Chicken, and when it arrived, after regulation pappads, dips, ok Chicken Tikka (with thick red crust of paprika and chilli powder), our waiter announced it to be a Vindaloo...Vindaloo! Yes, the very hottest, dirtiest dish in the world! An awkward minute followed as, stammering in true Brit fashion, we tried to ascertain whether the kitchen had made a terrible mistake. They hadn't. T'was all a humourous jape! Ah! The laughs they must have back there...and the waiter was in on it too!

Anyhow, Al quite enjoyed his Ginger Chicken, although the meat was 'a little dry'. For my part, I felt the Lamb Saag was actually pretty lovely, possessing a savoury aroma yet tasting sweet with plenty of cinnamon, while a stewed Aubergine dish carried an odd but not unpleasant ketchup-like aftertaste. The small portions of rather dry pilau were a bit inadequate mind.

In summary: fair.

FOOD (& DRINK): 3
VALUE: 3
SERVICE: 3
AMBIENCE: 3

Willp2328: 6/10

Gurkha Chautari - Liphook

2009-06-11T08:30:00.003+01:00

We had an excellent June meeting at the Gurkha Chautari. The restaurant was quite busy for a Wednesday night, and though our numbers were lower than usual, we were warmly welcomed.

Starters were delicious - lamb, chicken livers and momo dumplings. The restaurant chose the main courses for us: lamb and spinach, a hot and a medium version of khursani kukhura (chicken), hot prawn curry, monkfish, and 'Katmandu kukhura' - a mild chicken dish. All of these tasted really good, and were complemented by some vegetable curries, rice, chilli potatoes (sauteed rather than cooked in a sauce like Bombay potatoes) and dhal.

Some of our members' comments:

"some of the best flavours we've tasted"

"one of the best curries I've had"

"I usually find this place a little mild, but tonight - perfect"

"next time I eat here - monkfish"

"best food, best service, best music"

To summarise - a very good evening, enjoyed by all, excellent service. Highly recommended.

Emni - Angel, N1

2009-06-07T10:36:00.003+01:00

Emni is for trendies...has to be, sitting, as it does, on the corner of Camden Passage. One would never stagger in here, well oiled, after an evening in the Nag's Head, it's more a chic venue for catching up on office gossip, sharing a bottle of sauvignon and so forth. Hi ho!

Credit must be given for effort. The front of house team try hard to provide for their lugubrious guests. Poppadoms and chutneys are a little different, seemed as though they might just have been home made, especially a really smokey tamarind sauce. Starters were a departure from the normal curry house fare as anticipated. Spinach and lentil patties, stuffed with a fig were very dainty and pretty, tasted fine except for a little too much chilli, somewhat overpowering. Other dishes included Scallops with mint and coconut sauce, spicy chicken chops, tandoori brocolli with paneer etc.

Portion sizes were perfect, left us feeling full but not fit to burst. Laal Mass, tender pieces of lamb in a chilli hot Madras style sauce with julienne of root ginger was rich and sharp and complemented by a cooling, creamy blueberry raita. Sides of charcoal grilled, flattened aubergine slices were tangy and alternative while the pilau was moist and plentiful with peas.

The restaurant claims they provide a taste of 'Indian rediscovered' and although they are more than a three sauce suits all subcontinental, most of the menu is familiar to a seasoned curryholic except for a few twists here and there. In a sense this is their USP as most of us seek comfort in curry rather than too much adventure.

FOOD (& DRINK): 3.5
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 3
VALUE: 3

Willp2328score: 7/10

Great Nepalese - Euston, NW1

2009-05-26T22:26:00.004+01:00

As a rule of thumb the Great British Public are not often wrong, Daily Mail readers allowing, I trust most people's opinions. Great Nepalese has an enthusiastic and very loyal following, or, on the evidence of Tuesday's visit, rather a misgiven and very stoic following who are indeed wrong as to what constitutes good food.

Enter through the door (after a fashion) plastered with stickers endorsing the culinary achievements of the restaurant, from Egon Ronnay to the Good Curry Guide, the last dated 2002-3. Yet! Lo and behold, wheredidallthetimego, here we are six years later, about to enter the LED future! Technology has moved on and so has the London dining scene - Great Nepalese hasn't, in fact it's been positively stationary for a quarter of century, maybe more.

Poppadoms were stale and the chutney tray exceptionally dull and unenthusing. The mango lassi was watery. No appetisers so Aidan and I cut straight to the main course. My Dhaba Mutton, a few hunks of meat in a cinnamon tinged, red brown runny sauce - distinctly average, Bhanta, aka Aubergine, tasted more like bland courgette and may have come from the same stock. Meanwhile Aidan's Madras was identical to the dish I consumed with little relish save for a raw looking green chilli or two, even good pilau rice and professional service couldn't make up for it!

Petersfield really is lucky to have the Gurkha Chautari and Durbar around if this is the best London has to offer (which it isn't but nevermind).

FOOD (& DRINK): 2
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 2
VALUE: 2

Willp2328 score: 4/10

Zeen - Euston, NW1

2009-05-17T09:49:00.003+01:00

Open the menu and it's hard for one's heart not to sink at the invitation to 'Begin Your Voyage', just one of a series of roadside-caf-style seafaring quips, substituted for proper a la carte headings. Yet, however corny and irrelevant these are, the descriptions of the pan Indian food wash well and make one want to steer north eight knots and so forth...

As Mary, Rosemary and I were really the only diners in the very orange, clean lined basement canteen, combined wait and kitchen staff were able to pay us their full attention.

For starters, we were delivered a mini plate of crisp sized cumin flavoured poppadoms and gorgeous, aromatic mango chutney, fragrant with whole spices. There followed unusual batter fried bhindi that could possibly have been a little less chewy, and two fat pale sausage sheeks requiring more seasoning and spice.

Things improved vastly with the main courses: an ace Chicken Madras, decent hunks of flesh in an unctuous gravy, rich with cinnamon, bittersweet cloves, creamy coconut and sour chillies plus an inarresting dish of great juicy courgettes stuffed with a cheesy, starchy filling, luxuraint in a toothsome nutty, onion sauce. The plain rice was great and a big, sweet, milky lassi was also much enjoyed.

Now that I've been and zeen, I will return to Drummond Street, a lesser known foodie haven for sub continental food, and depending on the company, may give the place another go as it's pretty similar to, if perhaps not quite as good as Masala Zone.

FOOD (& DRINK): 3.5
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 2.5
VALUE: 4

Willp2328 score: 7.5/10

Chilli Night, Haslemere - 13 May 2009

2009-05-13T23:11:00.003+01:00

The Inn on the Hill is a great place for pre-curry drinks, and their 1 Kg steak promotion looks massive - but maybe too much for me. But the aim of our visit was Chilli Night, and they didn't disappoint: lovely food - decent wine - average bill: great evening.

Excellent mixed starters with a delicious fresh chutney were followed by

Lamb Jalfrezi
Prawn Madras
Batak (Duck) Shashlik
Lamb Rogan
Garlic Chilli Chicken (my favourite)
accompanied by Bombay aloo and Tarka Dhal.

El Presidente insisted on chapatis and stuffed paratha. Your webmaster / blogmeister wanted garlic naan and plain rice. In the end, more of the chapatis were eaten than the plain rice and naan, so we concede to the wisdom of El Presidente.

It was a good evening. Next time: Gurkha Chautari, Liphook.

Bengal Lancer - Kentish Town, NW5

2009-04-09T19:57:00.003+01:00

'Bengal Lancer' means 'prancer' in rhyming slang. As well as conjuring memories of all them upper class, cavalry types, hangin' around Kolkata, with big whiskers n' a jolly guffaw, gettin' all the women, it manages to produce some decent food.

Chris and I, like fallouts from the grunge scene, traipsed in for a quick bite before going to see the Eagles (of Death Metal).

The chutney tray was ok but overpriced, indeed everything is just a little more expensive here. However, when our meal came it was almost worth £20 each.

I had Chicken Hyrdabad, which was rather good. Great hunks of flesh in a rich coconut paste with big creamy cashew and candle nuts, as well as a garnish of raw carrot and green chillies that in truth didn't really register because of a mild undertone. Roast parnsips were fine - a throwback to the Indian Raj - while Chris' Chasnidargh was a full-on maroon coloured, sweet, balsamic curry, again perfectly acceptable. A cute bowl of ochre yellow pilau and a bubbling garlic Naan tasted as lovely as they appeared.

The restaurant has a reputation that stretches beyond the rather unassuming surrounds of Kentish Town Road. I would have to go back to ascertain whether it is deserved but it made a more than satisfactory pit stop all the same, and care had clearly been taken in the kitchen to produce interesting and well presented dishes.

FOOD (& DRINK): 3.5 (only stella on tap!!)
SERVICE: 3
AMBIENCE: 3
VALUE: 3

Will2328 score: 6.5/10

Sea Raj, Grayshott

2009-04-09T10:31:00.007+01:00

We had a blank Wednesday evening after the Curry Club's visit to Chilli Night was postponed until May, so we decided to try the Sea Raj in Grayshott again.

This restaurant's claim to fame is fish - and subject to availability, it can offer a good variety from Asia, including Tilaphia, Pangass, Pabda, Boal, Ayre, Khakia (Garfish) and Bang Mass. There is also a range of fish that you'd expect to see on a European menu. The exotic varieties are explained in the menu, and the restaurant's system is that you select a fish, and then add a sauce or cooking charge to it. Because we're not familiar with the Asian fish, it's difficult to know if any of the traditional curry sauces will suit. On a previous visit, grilled tilaphia and boal were very good, but jalfrezi really didn't go well with boalfish.

There's a good range of starters, many of them based on seafood, but on the night, spicy crispy fried sprats were off, and a king prawn puree and a kp butterfly had to suffice. The puree was good, lots of flavours, very tasty, but the king prawn butterfly was a mass of breadcrumbs and little to taste. Crab meat in coconut sauce, or scallops in garlic butter would have been a better choice.

We decided to try a couple of meat main courses this time. These were very good. The lamb jalfrezi was excellent, fresh peppers and clean flavours, with the lamb cooked exactly to the right consistency. Chicken archaria had a lovely lemon-y tang, and once again, good flavours. Naan, rice and bindi bhaji complemented the main dishes and made a very enjoyable meal.

Other aspects: It's a small restaurant, with (I guess) only about 24 covers. As it was a quiet Wednesday, we had a 4-seater table for two, and this was comfortable. The table settings were smart, crisp white table cloths and black linen napkins - very stylish. It's an attractive place to eat, but also easy to fill, so it's a good idea to book. 01428 608826.

You may be able to find some links from a Google search to the Sea Raj web site, but at the time of writing, the index (home) page was down for maintenance. The link on the title of this blog posting points to the 'menu' pages, but these included items that no longer appear in the printed menu at the restaurant.

There's now another Sea Raj restaurant in Farnham, Surrey, but this doesn't seem to have hit the Internet yet. We'll keep you posted.

April meeting cancelled

2009-04-07T20:17:00.003+01:00

The sad news of the death of Brian Barnes, former landlord of the Old Drum in Petersfield, and a good friend to many Curry Club members, meant that too few wanted to go ahead with the April meeting.

When I joined the Curry Club, the Drum was our regular drinking spot both before and after meetings, and it even served the meal on one occasion (or more?). After he left, we migrated to Foggys. He'll be missed by many.

Accordingly, we've postponed the visit to Chilli Night until our May date, Wednesday 13th May.

May meeting - Chilli Night, Haslemere

2009-03-31T19:19:00.011+01:00

The table is booked! On Wednesday 13th May, we'll be going back to Chilli Night in Haslemere, one of our favourite restaurants. Aperitifs will be at the Inn on the Hill from about 19:30, and then dinner will be at 20:30.

We've postponed this visit from April, for reasons that we'll explain elsewhere.

You can see our previous reviews on this restaurant by clicking here. I can hardly wait!

As usual all current members will receive an e-mail and this will also be posted on our Facebook group.

Masala Zone - Islington, N1

2009-03-31T08:33:00.004+01:00

My sisters 21st birthday meal was a surprise. Not that I didn't expect her to make the grand old age, I just didn't expect to be invited, or for it to occur on a Monday when she and her friends were supposed to be on a last minute holiday to Portugal. In the modern age, as they discovered, passports are required for international travel, unless of course you have recourse to an uber efficient military.

The Islington branch of Masala Zone, from the creators of Veeraswamy etc, was chosen on account of their vegetarian sympathies. It's a posh canteen, a la Wagamamma, except with more atmosphere inside, smart furnishings but low back chairs, so one can only sit upright or slouch forward...and as my headmaster used to say: 'all joints on the table shall be cut!'

I started with Chassa (a low fat indian diary drink with coriander, certainly an acquired taste) as well as a large and highly satisfying serving of Aloo tikki - fried potato nuggets drenched in a delicious, warm, sweet, tamarind sauce with chickpeas, earthy cumin seeds and cooling yoghurt.

I continued with lamb kholapuri, a chilli hot, rich, sour aniseedy curry with tender morsels of meat, sampled a chicken madras, plenty of heat, redolent of roasted coconut and the pervasive savoury flavour of curry leaf and enjoyed the rice, moist and plentiful, with a basket of neatly folded chapatis.

In summary, Masala Zone is very good. It's not worth listening to the dissenters, of which there are some, because they come across as spoiled/niggardly, so in one word: recommended!

FOOD (& DRINK): 4.5
VALUE: 4
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 4

Willp2328 score: 8.5/10

Green Spice - Albert Rd, Southsea

2009-03-27T07:01:00.003Z

To be frank - not mad like Bruno or shifty like Warren, but straight like... - Green Spice is a significant improvement on the previous encumbent of 61 Albert Road, Romance Of India.

The venue is unprepossessing to say the least, squeezed in between defunct buildings on a corner where nobody lingers. The dining room, though modern, looks bland and devoid of atmosphere from the street. There's no jungle in the window anymore, so you can actually see in.

Our party of four stepped across the threshold nevertheless and were greeted by a waiter who looked a little dishevelled (the first step in life is a well tied tie!) and somewhat slightly dazed. However, he and his colleague, smiled quietly and provided the most efficient and unassuming service I've had in a while.

The starter section of the menu lists dishes that you simply won't find in these parts. Scallops in coconut cream, Venison Bhorta, Squid marinated in oven roasted spice and greek yoghurt.

I chose Smoked (re: Somked) Paprika Salmon and it was executed with all the flair of a posh London Indian. A sizeable fillet of oily fish encrusted with the simple, direct and bold flavours of fresh paprika and dry, hot chilli powder alongside a long ribbon of juicy courgette. Rather excellent!

Other starters included 'spicy' and seemingly crisp Onion bhajis in roundel form and Chicken Tikka, not an enormous portion but neatly presented once again.

Miscellanious mains included two OK looking Thali's, both with a fairly standard selection of sample dishes and a giant Naan, in addition to a Biryiani for Emma, who revealed she 'didn't really like rice' (!?)

My Jalfrezi had plenty of fire as well, just the right amount. Decent chunks of chicken in a resinous, rich, cocktail sauce. In combination with Bhindi, diced and caramelized and pilau rice, moist, buttery and aromatic, it was very good.

The food certainly didn't rush out of the kitchen and it seemed a lot of care had been taken on our behalf. Moreover, the total bill was £61 including drinks, great value!

We were there for most of the evening and only two other tables were serviced. If you've discovered this blog and live in the area, do pay them a visit, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

FOOD (& DRINK): 4
SERVICE: 5
AMBIENCE: 1
VALUE: 4

Willp2328 score: 7.5/10

Gurkha Chautari - Liphook, 21/3/2009

2009-03-22T18:06:00.003Z

Good things come to those who wait and I don't have Guinness or Heinz Tomato Ketchup in mind.

The food at the Chautari emerges slowly, but it's not as if anyone in Liphook on a Saturday has got to go anywhere fast. The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band anyone?*

We arrived at 8 and left around 11. The restaurant was full. Families, Rugby fans (no Welsh though), Yanks (Yuri) and a group who appeared to be sitting at a dining table, using cutlery for the first time - thankfully they were all but finished when we began.

A bottle of Shiraz was consumed before starters were brought. I had Sinka Kurkura - extremely tender, melt in mouth chicken slices, skewered and in a smoked sausagey crust. Then a passable Cabernet Sauvigon from Chile was emptied before the main course - Khasi Bhutuwa, supple morsels of lamb in a thick, rich paste with red and green pepper, Hariyo Mis Mas or mix vegetables and paneer, tangy yet light and utterly delightful. Sweet Naans (Guylio Roti's) and pilau completed the meal, oh and rather decent Nepali Rum on the house!

Consistently fine food in a casual setting with Pink Floyd in the background (albeit the Wall, worms eating into your brain etc) make this almost my favourite place in the area.

FOOD (& DRINK): 4.5 (please take the indian dishes off the menu :P)
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 3.5
VALUE: 5 (prices have been taken down)

Willp2328 score: 9/10

* I am sure they are very good and they are playing on March 27th!

34-10 and the Gurkha Durbar in fine form too!

2009-03-16T17:29:00.005Z

Back after a fantastic day out at Twickenham (England beat France 34-10), we finished the celebration with dinner at the Gurkha Durbar. They were on top form, accurate, good service, delicious food.

Choila, chicken livers, kukhura saag (chicken and spinach), khursani kukhura (battered strips of chicken breast cooked wth onions, peppers and chillies), some Nepali Ice beer - a great way to finish a great day.

March meeting - Whitehill - report

2009-03-13T15:15:00.008Z

On a mild March evening, we went to Whitehill expecting to enjoy ourselves, and we weren't disappointed. The rendezvous was at The Woodlark, a Marstons pub which opened less than two years ago. It has a Two for One meal offer, and on Wednesday night, it was full of diners. It's cheerful, obviously doing what people want, and not hurt by the fact that the next nearest pub, the Outback, is boarded up. Its only pub competition in the Bordon/Whitehill built-up area is the Woodlands Inn, a full 1.5 miles north.

The Dhanmondi staff were as welcoming as ever. However, the resturant wasn't as full as last time - whether due to the credit crunch, or the competition from the Woodlark, who knows?

The restaurant suggested a menu that comprised a mixed starter and then six main dishes - lamb tava (Kashmiri spices) and shahslik, and chicken jalfrezi, balti, shashlik, and gusht e'ada (ginger, onions, peppers, medium hot). A selection of rices, naans and vegtables accompanied the main meal.

Everything tasted good, and we left very little. We also enjoyed both the red and white house wines and the digestifs afterwards - thanks! In our feedback to the head waiter, we mentioned that all the main dishes seemed to be the same colour - a strong hint that they're using food colouring.

To sum up, we had another very convivial meeting and Dhanmondi certainly stays on our list of places to visit. Our plans for the next two months are that in April, we'll be visiting Haslemere again (Chilli Night), and in May, Liphook (Gurkha Chautari).

India Gate - Chichester, 4/3/2009

2009-03-06T12:44:00.004Z

There is either an epidemic of train suicides at the moment (I've had 10 journeys disrupted in 2009) or it's the latest excuse from Southern Trains for their shoddy performance - everyone's sick to the back teeth of hearing about 'leaves on the line'. Chris, en route, from Brighton was delayed 45 minutes on Wednesday as another RBS shareholder took the ultimate course of action. Meanwhile, I retreated to the town pub surroundings of The Fountain to contemplate what I would do with a pay off £650,000...

At risk of coming across as a look-back bore, India Gate was almost the first restaurant I wrote about. Almost the first, because I penned a sophomore review about Shapla before.
Following a rather average meal in Alresford for the first anniversary of my 25th birthday on Tuesday (Deep fried seabass tail, needing a squeeze of lime to impart any real taste and a mediocre Halibut dish, with tasteless raw chillies and coconut cream, which took the edge of the overall flavour), it was back to Chichester's 'premier' curry joint.

The dining room is modern, quite chic and was full.

Run of the mill poppadoms with chutney tray kicked things off. There followed good, meaty Chicken Tikka with a piquant crust and Gosht Kata Masala - a hearty, worcester sauce infused, root gingery curry. Audente pilau and Niramish, robust, olive oil flavoured mix of cauli, carrots, spinach, diced potatoes and chick peas as well as a plum tomato, onion rich Korai and a great garlic Naan rounded off the meal.

The food tasted pretty good and was presented in clean and colourful fashion, though if I wasn't working at the megalithic offices of Wiley-Blackwell I don't think I'd pay the train fare there and back.

FOOD (& DRINK): 3.5
VALUE: 3
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 4

Willp2328 score: 7/10

Rooburoo - London, N1

2009-03-01T01:00:00.004Z

Sounds Australian, yes? Aborginal? Kangaroo on the menu?! Bush-tucker Grub?
No! Thank heavens! It simply means ‘face to face’ in sub-continental speak.

The place has been showered with awards over the last couple of years, including ‘best cheap eat in London’, and was rated highly in Harden’s restaurant guide. I had been intending to eat here for a while but plans can fall through as so often they do. Thankfully, as luck would have it, a hastily organised get together of publishing post-grads gave myself and 3 others the opportunity to visit this lively restaurant.

The wine was really good. Never considered pinot noir as a good accompaniment to spicy food, but it’s mellow, plumy tones really struck the right note. We shared a few bottles, feeling frivolous, in part because prices are indeed truly reasonable, especially considering the eclectic meal we enjoyed.

Starters (or ‘Lite Bites’) included ‘excellent’ steamed cod wrapped in banana leaf, lamb paratha’s and the wonderfully titled ‘Chicken Ooty Tooty’ - a trio of tikkas in a sandy coriander, fruity lime paste. All Tandoori items can be ordered as starter portions.

Mains were various. Yuri’s fish stew was lovely and tasted like a good bouillabaisse with chick peas and tangy Indian spicing. Val’s lamb steaks came drenched in a beautiful ochre yoghurt sauce with dashes of cream and a subtle twist of rum, while Jeremy worked through his herby, coconut Malabar seafood bisque much to his Francophilian satisfaction. I enjoyed Naga Murgh, from the perilously hot Nagaland! Succulent, eggy strips of chicken cooked in a light but hot, citrussy sauce (derived from pickling spices including fenugreek, cumin and fennel) with the fabulous, crunchy texture of ‘Mooli’ (white radish). Pilau was good value at £1.95 and Naans were pretty fine although a side of crisp red veggies felt nothing more than virtuous and I have enjoyed better Saag Aloo.

Nevertheless, we had great fun. Rooburoo is run by an enthusiastic and professional team which consequently stands them apart most curry houses. Will return - for sure.

FOOD (& DRINK): 3.5/5
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 4
VALUE: 4

Willp2328 score: 7.5/10

February meeting - Haslemere - report

2009-02-12T00:54:00.011Z

Shahanaz - shame! The food was great but the impression was that they really don't want to play. We like to set the restaurant the challenge - for the given food price, impress us. Most restaurants do this really well. Shahanaz prefers not to take the initiative in this way; instead, we had to pick the food from the (extensive) menu.They didn't play ball at all; if a dish had rice included (there seemed far more rice than we'd ordered), they just kept quiet. The drink prices were excessive. House white undrinkable - in JA's view. Coffee and brandy after dinner - very expensive. It all left a slightly sour taste and no-one said we'd hurry back.

For the record, we had a mixed starter each (expensive), and for mains we chose jeera beef (excellent), prawn dhansak (OK), tandoori chicken (good), chicken jalfrezi (very tasty), lamb nehari (delicious, lamb shank), and lamb madras. Rice, naans and three vegetables amongst six of us.

We didn't go there meaning to push the boat out, but the price for six was about £270 including a modest tip. Including a pint or two in the pub beforehand, the evening cost over £50 per head. This isn't really what we want to see in these straitened times. You could go somewhere rather nice for that money. Usually we manage 12 for not much more than £300. In our view, Shahanaz does some great cooking; enjoy it as a take-away.

The Greedy Buddha - Parsons Green

2009-01-28T09:07:00.004Z

Buddha is an exception in that he is the only fat oriental I know, besides Sumo wrestlers, and I don't know any of them (largely because they aren't out of nappies yet and are a few years behind me at school). Moreover, 'greedy' isn't neccesarily a word I would associate with deity of any sort but again Buddha attracts adjectives like no other - 'funky', 'laughing' and 'drunken' are but three. Anyhow, before I get mired in theology, on Tuesday night my cousin took me out for dinner. 'Would curry be okay?' (!).

The restaurant itself sits on a quiet street corner in a Parsons Green backwater. It might be hard to find without local knowledge, though it filled up soon after our arrival - must have heard we were there! A small dining room, bamboo shoots growing out the walls, sits above a downstairs hosting music on Thursdays and weekends.

Staff appear Nepali or Thai or...yet the food with a few tantalising exceptions (Rose scented Lamb, Mint Chicken Tikka, Nepalese Curry) is really typical Indo-British. Portions are fit for Buddha himself, Poppadoms are complimentary and the Mango Lassi was the fruitiest, most vibrant I've enjoyed.

We shared starters of Fish Tikka - succulent, oily, white fish in delicious charcoal sour coating - and Momo, less slippery than usual, but stuffed with gorgeous herby, fatty lamb. The adjoining table had the mixed grill, enough meat for a week. We followed up appetisers with Rose scented Lamb and Chicken Chilli Masala, fresh and positively bursting with flavour, a piquant spice blend, tart lemon rind, juicy spring onions, sundried tomatoes and plenty of fire from smarting green chillies. A big bowl of perfectly done steamed rice, slightly audente and not remotely sticky proved more than adequate accompaniment.

Great local for lucky Sloanes!

FOOD (& DRINK): 4
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 4
VALUE: 4

Willp2328score: 8/10

Bombay Spice - Guildford

2009-01-25T16:57:00.003Z

If I had the choice of cohabiting in a mud hut up North, waking up to ice in the sink in mid summer and subsisting off tea and parkin or living in a modernist Guildford apartment, it would be hard to decide.

Day trips to the traffic infested, shopping maul, so hip with jeenagers are as much as I can stand, although, beer and curry, as well as the company of my oldest mate (we go way back -veterans of the Boer War indeed) make it a perfectly acceptable location for a Sunday lunch.

For a popular place Guildford hasn't got a lot to offer on the food front beyond TGI Friday's ecetera ecetera, as a consequence, Bombay Spice must be a contender for best restaurant. It's pretty good and close to the station!

Sat in the window, Graham and I enjoyed a chutney tray with great lime and green chilli pickle and an inarresting raita, Poppadoms crisp and warm, as well as decent starters; mine, Chicken Tikka, firm morsels, coated in a spicy paste redolent of sour chilli, earthy tumeric and lemon. The main event, Lamb Rogan was well presented and delicious - dense, protein rich red meat, thick reddish brown gravy, heady coriander and fennel (nice kashiri touch!). Mouthfuls of aromatic pilau and chick peas in an onion tomato sauce also passed my lips.

No Beer, that followed later.

Happiness.

FOOD (& DRINK): 4/5
VALUE: 4/5
SERVICE: 3/5
AMBIENCE: 3/5

Willp2328score: 7/10

January report - Paradise Balti, Petersfield (Wed 14th)

2009-01-20T13:02:00.007Z

Paradise Balti welcomed us warmly (both ourselves and our taste buds) for our 2009 kick-off meeting. Fourteen members attended - a good turn-out, and in fact a majority of these had been at the Petersfield Rugby Club's annual Vice Presidents' lunch on the preceding Saturday. This may be evidence that Curry Club members have outstanding stamina, or at least great powers of recovery, or just can't be kept away from good food and drink!

The food, chosen by the restaurant, was a great selection of tasty choices. Starters included chicken and lamb tikka, and prawn butterfly. Mains included a beautifully-flavoured but not scorching hot chicken vindaloo, lamb padina, mixed korai, chicken balti, gamchi (can't read my own writing - garlic chilli?) chicken, prawn dhansak, lamb tikka dupiaza, and a sizzling and delicious chicken tikka straight from the tandoor. The restaurant chose well and it was a good decision to offer just eight - if I counted correctly - varieties of main dish, compared to about 16 last time. Much easier to compare and contrast the tastes.

So we enjoyed a convivial evening, and decided that in February we will venture out of Petersfield. Shahanaz in Haslemere has an excellent reputation and is due for a visit, as we didn't make it there in 2008. Please note that this is a change from the previously-announced plan to go to Madhuban.

Spice Bazaar, Rupert Street, Soho

2009-01-05T21:34:00.003Z

In London to see Bill Bailey's Tinselworm show at the Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, we needed somewhere to eat beforehand. Samurai Sushi, a few Chinese places, and Spice Bazaar were the contenders. We chose Spice Bazaar because we were able to be seated immediately. They met one other criterion - we were fed in time to have a drink at the theatre before the performance.

My chicken madras was watery - it had no onion! The chicken 'rogan' had double onion, and the meat for both dishes seemed to have met the sauce about 3 seconds before it came to the table. These two dishes, one naan, one rice, three papadums, plus one large and one small Cobra, came to over £33 before tip. They should do better for this money - you certainly can!

By the way, Bill Bailey was great - during the final sequence I laughed so much that tears came to my eyes. 'Hallelujah' will never seem the same again. Nice chap too - he signed the front of the programme for Ruth in the pub. Fantastic evening despite the meal.

Karim's - Brighton

2009-01-01T10:15:00.005Z

There are a plethora of restaurants in Brighton and though many are over rated and over priced, there is something to suit every bad taste - now I‘m being unfair, perhaps this isn‘t strictly true.

Among several Indian’s is Karim’s. Bar and reception at street level, dining room in the basement, stylish, but in a mid-nineties way, before true restaurant chic had washed up on the south coast.

We were served by every member of staff on view, starting with lassi’s, regulation poppadoms and chutney tray, (extra points for capsaicin green chilli chutney), then ok starters of sweetish barbecue sauce flavoured chicken tikka and salmon fish cakes, before Methi Chicken with a really good pervasive savouriness, runner beans in a lovely thick, nutty and spicy cream, as well as multi coloured rice and a sadly mild, pineapple juicy Patia.

Overall the place is certainly better than average and it has a good reputation in the area even if it is simultaneously devoid of atmosphere and a not particularly cheap.

FOOD (& DRINK): 3.5
VALUE: 3
SERVICE: 3
AMBIENCE: 2

Willp2328score: 6.5/10

Aubergine - Southsea, 30/12/08

2008-12-31T08:13:00.003Z

'Time is like a Jet plane, it moves too fast', wrote Bob Dylan and he is sooo right! Hadn't seen Same properly in a year, life had simply moved on before we knew it...At least we're still young. We can still navigate the new fangled club scene and eat a mountain of curry, no sweat - especially after an afternoon of breaking up wood and killing poison ivy.

The tikka at Aubergine remains delicious and the lamb chops too, Sam gnawed all the flesh off the bone with the relish of a blood hound. He also enjoyed Urbisi Murgh, chicken with buttery rana beans in a tangy, tomato based curry sauce, while I tucked in to Hariali Machli. Meaty white river fish in a delicious minty spinach-green puree with a hint of diary and a lift from fresh chillies. Attractive and tasty pilau with whole spices as well as a dainty serving of Chana Pindi: creamy chick peas, lightly covered in a rich, roasty gravy, rounded off another fine meal.

The restaurant was the only place with business in the festive limbo between Christmas and New Year. No wonder, it is the best on Albert Road and in Portsmouth. Not just the praiseworthy food with a difference but the professional service and cosy setting make it a place to visit.

FOOD (& DRINK): 4.5
VALUE: 5
AMBIENCE: 4
SERVICE: 5

Willp2328 score: 8.5/10

King Cobra - Southsea

2008-12-23T10:33:00.003Z

Searching through my man draw I came across several old AA batteries, instructions for assorted gadgets long since dead, a wooden puzzle (the kind you get from distant relatives for Xmas when you're too old for a Cadbury's variety pack) and various inkless biros, before finding the takeaway menus.

A boy's look revealed I was highly familiar with most restaurants in Southsea - just as well three or four new curry houses have sprung up in the last six months. One of these is King Cobra, round the bend from the Kings Theatre and hard to miss by virtue of it's dayglo frontage.

I began with benchmark Chicken Tikka, tasty, well textured flesh, which might have benefited from a slightly more piquant marinade and better presentation. Tim's mixed starter rather crowded onto his plate.

My main dishes included Darjeeling Lamb, savoury with a leafy-tea-tasting mixture of fenugreek and coriander, underscored with woody cinnamon bark, few too many curry leaves; Chana Sag, a perfectly acceptable preperation of spinach and chick peas and perfumed pilau.

Overall the meal was fair, but on Albert Road there is so much competition. Every local has a different favourite which they visit time again and it will take more than the giant black and orange neon cobra out front for the place to attract a loyal customer base.

FOOD (& DRINK): 3
AMBIENCE: 2
SERVICE: 4
VALUE: 3

Willp2328 score: 6/10

Spice Quarter - Cardiff, 20/12/08

2008-12-21T18:04:00.002Z

Travelling between Fratton and Cardiff on Worst Great Western’s Express Service is depressing. The carriages haven’t been cleaned inside or out for…since they rolled out of the yard all pristine and new roundabout 1996 (!?)…and there are only two. Two for a journey that takes in at least ten major cities and towns. Packed in like the proverbial sardine for a truly sluggish journey that seems to last half a lifetime is an experience I will never repeat, I’d sooner go via Guildford and Reading. Last weekend I did and despite two changes I arrived clean and content, in the same time, with no unscheduled stops for the residents of Bramley Hedge or Farthing Wood.

I thought I’d write another report on the Spice Quarter simply because I doubt there is a better Indian in Wales and I ate there again Saturday evening.

Such an opulent dining room, quiet, professional service and the food from the state of the art open kitchen! It has the same intensity and diversity of flavours the accomplished curry chef can achieve at home.

Three delicious Lamb patties with diced apricots were fatty, fruity and sweet, just right and not overpriced at £6. A Chicken Karai, Punjabi country fare, had such a robust, concentrated taste: tangy garlic, zingy coriander seeds in a rich tomato puree with beautifully charred green peppers and big, moist chunks of onion - wonderful! Accompaniments not quite so good but above par all the same, included pilau, buttery and plentiful, and, Jeera Aloo, floury potatoes, margarine and subtle hints of earthy cumin. Kev had, on my recommendation, the Saag, a wonderful blend of savoury spinach and fenugreek with a brilliant, lingering, bitter sweetness of cloves.

Despite huge portions, the cooking and presentation underline the fact the restaurant is really quite classy, a rare quality in the Cardiff area. If I lived here the place would seem rather like an Oasis in a culinary desert.

FOOD (& DRINK): 5
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 4
VALUE: 4

Willp2328score: 9/10 (still!)

Spice Lounge, Petersfield

2008-12-10T23:31:00.007Z

Great food, thin turnout: 10 main dishes for 10 people - achari lamb, lamb shatkoora, Gurkha chicken (not quite as tasted in Liphook or Grayshott), (ayre) fish bhuna, prawn balti, garlic chilli chicken, chicken jalfrezi, hot prawn dhansak, chicken chilli massala, and one more that didn't make it to my end of the table.

Spice Lounge were very hospitable, we had a great evening, the food was good - just fewer attended than we might have expected for a Petersfield venue. Maybe too many of us were credit crunched. This was our lowest December turnout since 2003 when only seven made it to the pre-rebuilding Madhuban.

Christmas is coming - do your online shopping

Some good news: Amazon shopping paid off. £10 went into the kitty from earnings from our Amazon shop, based on purchases in September. You can click here for the Petersfield Curry Club shop or if you look to the right of this blog, you'll see an Amazon advert. If you click through either of these on and then buy something (books, electronics, DVDs, CDs, etc.), you should earn some commission for the Petersfield Curry Club. This can make the drinks bill look a little better in three months time - whatever Gordon Brown fouls up next while trying "to save the world" (as he foolishly boasted at today's Prime Minister's Questions).

Giraffe - London, SE1

2008-12-07T18:24:00.004Z

Giraffe are really a chain of international joints though they serve curry in various guises. As well as being World Music themed restaurants - 'guaranteed to make you feel good' (substitute 'good' for 'bored') - they are terrible (namely the one on the south bank).

The kitchen is staffed by Bouzouki virtuoso's, sadly incapable of culinary genius. Cooking meat properly would be a start, and why not employ a sous chef to prep some veg, top AND tail beans and wash and chop the coriander?

Everything about my Vietnamese curry was wrong. The price (£8.95), the rice, still a little crunchy, the pinkish rubbery chicken, the bland frozen tiger prawns, the soapy, sloppy coconut and lime sauce and the aforementioned greens, lobbed on top to finish a disgusting dish. Undoubtably the worst I've had in a couple of years.

Did I complain? Did I ever! (I didn't)

FOOD (& DRINK): 1
SERVICE: 3
AMBIENCE: 2*
VALUE: 1

Willp2328 score: 3/10

*2 whole points for Yuri and his genial American company!

Salaam Namaste - London, WC1

2008-12-04T15:51:00.003Z

Apparently a common perception of the English is that we like to complain a lot. At the weather, at our banks, at our sports teams, at our pets (that is why Dogs are so popular: great, dum and furry, yet animate enough to give the impression they are listening - try moaning to a plant pot, you soon realise it's a futile exercise and may appear quite mad). I try not to whinge, oh how I try, it's boring when others do it, but sometimes you feel justified.

Wednesday was such a time. After having enjoyed a pretty good meal - slightly dry chicken tikka in a sweety, nutty cashew paste; gosht zardaloo, a toothsome stew, fruity with apricots; a great, tangy aubergine side and sour, creamy dal makini - I found myself knee deep in farce.

The bill arrived, £666! Spelt trouble. Last minute absentees meant our party of 23 was 18, but the manager wanted to charge us for their food - £19.95 a head. Restaurant policy or not, it wasn't made clear at all to me when making the reservation, a reservation he had already moved back to 7.30 from the original time of 6.30pm. I was a little trousered, trolleyed, lamp shaded, whatever else the upper classes say, and quite indignant. There was a strong temptation to get up, exclaim 'I said Good Day!' and leave, threatening to return and buy the place and make drastic changes, made even stronger by the manager, who all but accused us (I was not alone in my incredulity anymore) of being prejudice against Indian's and Indian restaurants. 'This would not have happened in Claridge's' he said, damn right I thought.

The whole incident was resolved by us agreeing to pay for five who never set foot inside the place, but declining to pay the discretionary service charge. This was a shame in a sense, as the waiting staff had, in truth, been pretty good, sadly their boss is a naughty boy. It certainly left a bad taste in the mouth, spoiling the end of a fun evening. I had problems with Salaam Namaste in the summer over a telephone booking they failed to honour. In terms of customer relations they must do better!

FOOD (& DRINK): 3
VALUE: 2
AMBIENCE: 3
SERVICE: 2

Willp2328 score: 5/10

Mirchi Masala - London, E1

2008-11-17T20:17:00.004Z

Now a 6 strong London chain of fast food cafe outlets dispensing fresh and flavourful North Indian fare, the restaurant interiors resemble Macdonalds, at least the Commercial Road branch does (though the similarities end there). No spotty, pizza faced teenagers serving, no shouty jeenagers eating, service quick, polite and efficient.

This time I enjoyed Methi Chicken, bitter with cloves, fiery with black peppercorns and filling, Masala Baigan, a gorgeous, treacley vegetable mush and pilau rice - lacking aroma - but pleasantly moist nonetheless.

For a quick fix, the restaurants are ideal; they offer all the romance of an airport lounge. Prices aren't as bangla for your buck as one might assume, equally one won't feel forced to buy the credit-crunch busting Daily Star next morning, to 'read' or use as toilet paper. Mirchi Masala is reliable. Certainty is fast becoming a comodity worth buying into.

FOOD: 4
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 2
VALUE: 3

Willp2328 score: 7/10

Gurkha Chautari - 12th November 2008

2008-11-13T18:03:00.004Z

We had a small (8) but enthusiastic turnout for the November Curry Club meeting on Wednesday 12th. Our usual scribe sent his apologies, so you have the benefit of my ramblings instead.

The Gurkha Chautari was as welcoming as ever, and as is our custom, we asked them to choose the menu for the evening - and not to forget the chicken livers (bhuteko kalejo). We weren't disappointed - excellent mixed starter with a double portion of chicken livers, plus momo (lamb dumplings), potato cakes, and choyla.

The main courses comprised a selection - Nepalese chicken, lamb in a spicy sauce, sizzling chicken tikka, hot battered chicken, jeera aloo, bamboo shoots in black bean suace, and a variety of rice, naans and other vegetables. Everyone enjoyed the choice - little was left over.

House wines were a Merlot and a Pinot Grigio - both very drinkable. We raised our glasses to two members who passed away recently: Tony Luff, former landlord of the Queen's Head at Sheet, and Rugby Club and Curry Club stalwart had suffered a long illness with amazing fortitude. Tony Stocks was a friend of several Curry Club members but due to work commitments had only been to one meeting. His sudden passing was a shock to us all.

Lahore Kebab House - London E1

2008-11-10T23:47:00.006Z

As busy and noisy a transport caf as I've ever been in on a damp Monday night. LKH has a reputation stretching beyond Shadwell. The clientel is predominantly Asian too, a good sign, according to your average foodie. So too the side street location - 'off the beaten track, harder to find, no compromises made for tourists', don't you just loath them! And the great open kitchen? 'No short cuts being taken'!

Nevertheless, food (Pakistani) arrives all in a rush. Crisp Poppadoms, with sonorous slightly runny mango jam, mint raitha were only just being cracked before starters of spicy orange morsels of char grilled chicken tikka and slightly gristly rolled sheekh kebab turned up. The Mains weren't going to wait either. Salty, bold Lamb Sag, sour with green chillies, leafy with coriander. Chana Masala, big fat creamy chick peas in a light tomato soupy sauce, tangy and slightly hot. A veritable mound of soft, fluffy, popcorny rice, a very garlicky Naan and two milky, light, sweet and frothy lassis.

All in all we (Mikey was there too) got absolutely stuffed (very generous portions) for £42, a sum which might seem astronomical when the credit crunch, a silent asteroid heading for a blind date with earth, hits, but seems fine in these salient days.

FOOD (& DRINK): 4
AMBIENCE: 4
SERVICE: 3
VALUE: 3

Willp2328: 7/10

Tandoori Lane - London SW6

2008-11-03T21:41:00.003Z

Convenience food has a bad name. We are constantly persuaded in nu-wave MBS lit to forego oily curries, msg loaded chinese, pork pies, monkey burgers, cancer causing sausages, battery chickens, tinned veggies - what can Brits eat these days without feeling guilty? Even in the cinema, previously a refuge for gluttony, adverts showing the calorific nature of most of the stuff on sale in the foyer are broadcast on a loop, before the main feature. However, as I recently discovered, there is such a thing as a healthy takeaway!

Tandoori Lane is in the Harden's restaurant guide - a small, yet rather popular local curry house in the wealthy, suburban haven of Fulham. It serves 'the best vegetable korma' among other keenly priced delights. Our takeaway dishes were clean and light, yes! a remarkable thing; far too many are cloying and greasy, overwhelming any subtle flavours. Jeera Chicken contained gorgeous succulent, eggy hunks of thigh in a delicate tomato orange gravy with julienne root ginger and the unmistakable flavour of toasty cumin seeds. A spinach bhajee was a smooth, juicy, puree, possessing a moreish iron-rich taste while the pilau proved equally tasty with a salty bite and gentle aroma from bittersweet cardamom and cloves. All round, impressive. No wonder it's a local favourite.

FOOD: 4
SERVICE: 4 (half an hour)
AMBIENCE: 5 (cosy, front room, Neil Young on the stereo)
VALUE: 4 (change out of a tenner for my part)

Willp2328 score: 8/10

Postscript:
Other 'healthy' takeaways can be found at the Indian Vegetarian Studio, Cardiff.

Spice Lounge - Petersfield: Why so special?

2008-10-11T22:46:00.013+01:00

The worth of the Spice Lounge in number terms might be...Convenience 5/5, Cosiness 5/5, Comfort Food Factor 5/5.

Whatever the authenticity of the dishes they are consistent and rarely bland. Big on flavours, clean and neat in appearance and most importantly reliable, including the new additions to the menu (there are several), Shatkora redolent chilli resin and pickled lime, Shashlik Masala, smokey, creamy and sweet with green peppers. Moreover, solid accompaniments in generous portions make the restaurant a highly satisfying place to eat.

Service has always been polite but recently it has acquired a certain geniality and sharpness. I joked with one of the staff about stalking him in the library...wondered at the possibility of staging a horror movie there. A serial killer who finishes off his (or her - inarresting twist!) victims with a swiftly administered paper cut after luring them into the store room. 'Oh Doris, Mr Johnson's books are well over due! And he's usually so good at renewing them. Have you seen him lately?' Cut to 'Doris' wearing a malign smile... I'm digressing. I was about to voice my admiration for waiters.

I admire waiters because they work social anti social hours, have to be pleasant in the face of condescension and don't get much financial recompense. I respect the guys who make the Spice Lounge tick over: with the kitchen they create, to use Alan Titchmarsh's favourite adjective, a lovely dining experience.

If you live in the Petersfield area and haven't been, go. You can relax in the comfortable booths, linger long and it won't burn a hole in your pocket.

Willp2328 score: Sounds like a tag line but really...'like all good times, you can't put a value on it'

Dhanmondi - Whitehill, 8/10/08

2008-10-09T11:51:00.003+01:00

How many times in life do first impressions prove wildly off the mark? Chamberlain on Hitler: '(Adolf) is a man of his word'. Decca on the Beatles: 'we don't like their sound and guitar music is on the way out'.

In not quite such drastically mistaken fashion I once described Dhanmondi as ‘a likeable local’ and sure enough it is popular - over half full on a Wednesday evening in early October – and very likeable – the service is so kind – but really I was simply damning the place with faint praise. Dhanmondi only gets better with each visit. The 2007 curry awards included the restaurant in the country’s top 100, there are some 8000 across Britain.

An excellent midweek meal was highlighted by their fabulous Kurzi Lamb. A whole baby sheep dressed to the nines in floral vegetables, supple, succulent, the most gorgeous roast meat you could hope for. Unusually Sali Boti came as chicken but was delicious, fruity and sweet with the buttery fragrance of bay leaves and enriched with cinnamon. Gusht E Ada, gingery lamb and green peppers and Nawabi King Prawn, rich, dark, briney and gravy-ish proved pretty moreish too.

Huge metal pans of cauliflower and peas were a well-chosen accompaniment, gently perfumed pilau and good Naan’s supplemented the feast. Indeed, it felt like a special occasion. There aren’t many establishments that make one feel as welcome, at ease, content and so it joins my ‘area’ top 10.

FOOD: 3.5
SERVICE: 5
VALUE: 4
AMBIENCE: 3

Willp2328: 7.5/10

Shahanaz - Haslemere, 2/10/08

2008-10-03T15:40:00.005+01:00

For over a year I’d always bypassed the pink kitsch of Shanhanaz en route to the morely homely confines of Chilli Night - always until Thursday. The cold in the air gave my sis and I and appetite, just as well given the copious servings we were about to receive (and Lord we were truly grateful). The dining room is large and square, a bizarre venue on several levels with a raise in the middle, remiscent of a night club, carpeted over and repainted.

Quite a crowd had gathered and everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. Two fat ladies, eighty eight, a seventieth birthday party, earnest young couples, a table of 12 women armed with pencils and notepaper (?!).

The chutney tray, delivered by an ex-Gurkha Chautari employee, featured a delicious, unctious, honeyish tamarind jam. Our starters, rich, stir-fried, melt in the mouth chicken livers with slivers of green pepper and onion and Bel Puri were very pleasing and equally filling. Main dishes included a rather stodgy Sali Boti and a thick, dark Jeera Beef with strong savour of roasted cumin and hot chilli which was perhaps a bit overpowering. However, they were no less than average while a side of creamed spinach and the sweet buttery crunch of babycorn as well as tasty pilau were superior.

There’s plenty of choice (350 items?) and enough quality in the cooking to make another visit a proposition. It’s simliar in standard to Petersfields, Spice Lounge, not much different from Chilli Night either.

FOOD: 3
VALUE: 3
SERVICE: 3
AMBIENCE: 3

Willp2328score: 6/10

Spices - London N1

2008-10-02T09:46:00.005+01:00

Living in London with a modicum of disposable income and a fair few free daylight hours leads one to idle in cafes or if not keen on coffee, pubs - the liver is evil and must be punished!

The Eagle is a popular city boozer with a wide selection of international beers on tap, packed to the gilded beams on Tuesday evening, warm, busy and atmospheric. Akin to it's avian namesakes it's hard to believe this place and the like are becoming an endangered species.

Disbelief suspended DJ and I trotted back up to Angel and found Spices, a small curry den round the corner from the tube station. The intimate deep crimson dining room had space for eight tables of four including us.

The food was on the whole very good. Our waiter keen to explain the differences between British curry and Bangla homestyle - claimed 80% authenticity. Having spent the previous few hours with a friend who after 6 months in Bangladesh vowed never to eat curry again I was interested to found out why.

I came away with no answers. Chicken Rezala, a smooth yoghurt based curry packed with spicy flavour of fresh coriander, a twist of mint and sour green chillies impressed. There were good bready roti's and clove infused pilau as well as a plain but not unwelcome Bhindi bhaji. DJ enjoyed his Makhani.

Another bonus is it's BYO although we had tap water and you can have any dish cooked in the Balti fashion to enhance tastes if you wish to spend a little more.

They also serve: beautiful Chicken livers, sandwiched in a light pancake. Fish tikka, paprika tinged smokiness, and rasp of green chilli. Chicken Lobue Bengal, in a fruity sauce, sharp and sweetly acidic with lime, pungently bitter with fenugreek. Lamb Chilli Massala: delicious, bold garlic tomato sauce with a rich caramelized onion base and Pindi Aloo Chana - diced, potatoes and chick peas in dish well tempered with creamy and ground spices, including tumeric and pepper.

Please also note, food arrives when it’s ready, the kitchen will not be rushed.

FOOD: 3.5
VALUE: 4
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 3

Willp2328score: 7/10

Indian Cottage - Albert Road, Southsea

2008-09-12T14:41:00.002+01:00

Having felt vindicated in deciding to watch England play Croatia this time rather than go to curry club the weekly fix was postponed.

Wanted to try somewhere new. It’s getting increasingly difficult but I managed with sister number 2. Unfortunately the following report will make me sound like a whingeing footballer (you know the type, wear red and white…play in a new fangled, branded stadium with more space for Execs’ than real fans somewhere in North London…N5?!).

So to the Indian Cottage, one of Albert Roads most established curry houses. In the past it has won local awards and, around Portsmouth at least, enjoyed a reputation similar to the Madhuban at Liss. Yet recent visits to the Madhuban and Thursday’s trip to the Cottage suggest their culinary powers are waning.

Both restaurants offer plenty of decently priced alternative dishes, satisfactory portions, reasonable service (the Madhuban, quick but a little ingratiating, Indian Cottage, competent if rather sombre) and a pleasant dining environment – the Cottage is truly exotic with its royal blue and gold design, thatched bar, varnished wooden elephants, Indian vases and pankas, flapping in the gentle breeze of the air con. However, while the Madhuban has of late served me up flavourful but cloying fare, the Indian Cottage provided the opposite.

After good poppadoms (warm, crisp not over salty) there came bland, watery Chicken Tikka without smokiness or spiciness followed by Gujaratie Lamb. Essentially a particularly iron tasting, savoury spinach curry sour with whole green chillies, it wasn’t bad but not outstandingly moreish either. Sweet and tangy Aubergine, plus extra if not entirely necessary texture from creamy cashews worked the taste buds where Pilau, devoid of aromas, like boiled rice and a vague hint of cinnamon bark, did not.

Overall…not really.

FOOD: 2
VALUE: 2
SERVICE: 3
AMBIENCE: 5

Willp2328rating: 6/10

Viva Chautari!

2008-08-21T10:48:00.003+01:00

The Gurkha Chautari is the place to eat out in the Petersfield-Haslemere area right now! The largely Nepalese fare eminating from the Kitchen is tremendous, I can't say more, except that there's always plenty of it to saciate even the most rapacious diner. Moreover, the level of service is excellent. 'Chautari' roughly translates as 'place of rest' and one is made to feel very much at home, especially when the accomodating prices are considered. Everyone involved in their success deserves a medal (including me). So...

Cue: drum roll
'Ladies and Gentlemen'
'Madames et Monsieurs'

...The completely unofficial, unauthorised GOLD goes to
(repeated in 3 different languages)

...the Gurkha Chautari!
Cue: Nepali National Anthem

Mirchi - Albert Rd, Southsea

2008-07-19T14:10:00.006+01:00

Simon felt sick. He stayed off school Monday, sat through Sports Day on Tuesday, was full of woe Wednesday, had far to go Thursday and left his bank card in the Post Office - perhaps he wouldn't be fit for Friday's marathon pub/curry session, a last hurrah in the academic year? And yet he was (though the level of fitness required for such an event is open to debate).

Mirchi provided the venue. It was very good and I wish them every success.

We began with the most delicious Hush Tikka, firm yet tender smokey hunks of duck and onion then progressed to the mains. Impressive, near authentic Lamb Shatkora, warm, medium citrussy undertones of ground coriander, lemon rind sourness from Bangladeshi lime and a creamy, sunset orange Goan Korai that tasted as good as it looked . Light, soft, sweet Peshwari Naan with sultanas, almonds and sugar, diced Bhindi (Okra) in a cool china white recipticle, moist, rich and tangy as well as decent pilau embellished our meal.

I've been twice before and a third visit has convinced me it's second only to Aubergine on a stretch over populated with curry houses. You'd be daft to visit the Balti Express, Monsoon Thali House, the Golden Curry, Goa, the Eastern Eye or the Romance of India (particularly daft as this has now closed) plus the three or four Elm Grove equivalents instead. Mirchi may cost more but YOU ARE WORTH IT!

Coda: Another fine meal one Friday in August. Indian Fish Cakes to start. Delicate but dominant flavours of minced prawns and cod coated in a light eggy batter and shallow fried - pools of tamarind and chilli sauce a welcome condiment. Followed by powerful Green Herb Masala, humming with roast garlic, fresh heady coriander, salt and hot slivers of green chilli. Saag Aloo, mellow and vaguely aromatic like Chinese 5 Spice as well as pilau rice with strong hints of woody cinnamon were also very good and the Jalfrezi is a gorgeous roasted chilli concoction. However, I'd avoid the Sheek Kebabs - gristly and rubbery tough.

FOOD (& DRINK): 3.5
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 3
VALUE: 4

Willp2328 score: 7/10

Ouch! Gurkha on Gurkha: Grayshott's Durbar versus Liphook's Chautari

2008-07-10T12:00:00.012+01:00

Although now part of the same concern, there remains enough difference between the restaurants to make a comparison worthwhile, not least the geographical fact one is in Grayshott and the other in Liphook.

Factoring in the the inflated cost of petrol (ignoring the railways), for those just above the poverty line - with digital TV, membership of the local cinema and the means to afford a meal out, i.e. 20k with kids, 14k without - which is really worth the traveling too? The following 'best for...' may help you decide.

aperitifs: CHAUTARI - The Links has flourished under new management -lovely terrace too

dining room: CHAUTARI - a little more spacious and light

tables/chairs: DURBAR - there's a round table!

crockery/cuttlery: DURBAR - lovely cast iron recipticle for lentils, blue rimmed china bowls for chutneys

toilets: DURBAR - less like my Aunts

service: CHAUTARI - staff in the Durbar are pleasant and polite just less efficient(not helped by the bar which is almost out the back door)

poppadoms: TIE

chutneys: DURBAR - excellent homestyle lime and chilli chutney, better HPesque Tamarind sauce

starters: CHAUTARI - both offer Chicken Livers (Kalejo) and salt spiced Lamb nuggets (Choila) but only at Liphook can you enjoy Bhuteko Prawns, pan fried, plump and sea fresh in a mild, thin tomato sauce obliging high notes of heady coriander leaf and sultry earthiness

clay oven: CHAUTARI - a close one but the char grilled meat and fish at Liphook cannot be matched, e.g. Pahadi Kurkhura, chicken in a sour yoghurt, spear minty, green chilli strong coating

curries: TIE - never had one that hasn't been at least good. Some have been truly superior including Ameelo Jinga (high class heady, sweet and sour Prawns), Bhutuwa Lamb (in a thick, rich paste with red peppers), Khursani Kukhura (egg battered strips of chicken in a tasty dish infused with sesame oil, strangely reminiscent of pancakes with brown sugar and lemon), Khatmandu Ko Wasa (best quality stewed lamb in a hot rich, smooth curry, pepper laden with a strong undertones of red wine and acetous cardamom) as well as Monkfish in a smooth, light tomato orange sauce, that sang of several spices

vegetables: CHAUTARI - spot on Jeera Aloo - rich round waxy baby potatoes plus my favourite Aubergine dish in smoky, spicy, soy marinade

dal: DURBAR - creamy ochre yellow lentils tempered with toasty cumin seeds and garlic, Kalo dal, savoury, mild black lentils

rice: DURBAR - really fragrant rice simmered in whole milk and toasted cashews

bread: DURBAR - truly toothsome Gulio Roti's, soft buttery dough stuffed with raisin and almond paste

wine: TIE - similar wine lists, both par for the course. They tend to serve wine at the correct
temperature though

beer: DURBAR - they offer two Nepali beers not one

dessert: forget it!

freebies: none as yet!

prices: TIE - for all the above expect to pay the same whichever you're at

gurkha heritage: DURBAR - you might see a real Gurkha major (the owner)

In conclusion, if you live in Grayshott or Liphook then count yourself lucky, you've an excellent local on your threshold. If you don't then at the time of writing I'd opt for the Durbar (just!) over the Chautari. Why? For all aforementioned differentials, there's simply more choice on the menu.

Spice Merchant - Osborne Road, Southsea

2008-07-07T13:00:00.003+01:00

There a probably as Spice Merchants as there are Balti Expresses or Taj Mahuls, there were 3 in Cardiff (2 were the same chain but...) and there's one in Southsea. It's to be found toward the sea front on Osborne Road, populated by several decent ethnic eateries. The dining room is smart but rather dull, subdued maroons and off whites. The grey July evening didn't enchance the drab atmosphere.

Things brightened up when starters arrived. Tandoori chicken on my right looked lovely, more than the large, fruity Aloo Dosa (potatoes in rolled in a chappati) in front of me though it’s light aniseed-fennel savour proved quite agreeable. Pleasingly a main course of Darjeeling Chicken did turned out to be similarly satisfying: a subtle tea flavoured, herby, mild curry with hints of leafy coriander, peppery mint and woody, fragrant cinnamon. Meantime a meltingly sweet pumpkin bhajee and caramel tasting okra slivers made fine accompaniment even if the simple carbs could have had more complex taste, in particular bland pilau rice. However, this is a relatively minor quibble given that food is well presented, cooked clean and comes in fairly sizeable portions.

FOOD (& DRINK): 4
VALUE: 4
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 2

Willp2328 rating: 7/10

Curry Naz - Osborne Road, Southsea

2008-06-28T10:01:00.002+01:00

Funniest thing I heard this week was a colleague of my sisters claim that the curries round here are 'nothing like the curries in Luton'...'I've tried the Madhuban and I don't see what the fuss is about, etc etc'. The grass will always be greener on the other side for some - even when the other side is Luton, known for its Airport and Vauxhall plant: concrete and industry.

Whether or not Luton deserved the title of 2004's 'crapest town' is irrelevant when considering the merits of 'Curry Naz', a traditional kind of curry house. Smart yellows and blues, an atmosphere that leads one to sweetly reminisce of rose tinted pre new labour days! The restaurant’s been a stalwart on the Southsea scene of some time, a reputation built on tasty food and inobtrusive service. Staff, polite, discreet, calm and experienced appeared at the table with food, left quietly, appeared again in between a lull in conversation to ask if everything was ok, before slipping away until they judged our eating to be over.

The meal began with run of the mill poppadoms before a decent starter of Jeera Chicken. Strips of tandooried chicken breast in a salted smoky marinade, scattered with cumin seeds. Next up, juicy Balti Lamb Jalfrezi, demonstrating a super concentration of flavours. Well developed curry aromas, spicy scorching green and red chillies, gingery twangs (coriander seeds) and mustardy pangs made for a great dish. A rich, cinnamon strong Keema Peas (another old favourite on the menu) achieved similar standards. Bhindi (Okra) with just a little charcoaled sweetness and fluffy pilau were quite acceptable, though a Roti was a little crisp and mean.

Minor issues aside Curry Naz appears a jolly reliable purveyor of almost excuslively North Indian cuisine akin to that which thrived in this country 20 years ago. Tops the Golden Curry on the evidence so far. TBC!

FOOD: 3.5
VALUE: 3
SERVICE: 5
AMBIENCE: 3

Willp2328 score: 7/10

Gulshan - Reading

2008-06-23T16:29:00.002+01:00

Outside Gulshan reads a sign, it says: 'Caution this area is prone to high winds'. I wondered whether Reading's rapacious curryholics were to blame. Stepping through the doors, confronted by the sight of ex boxer turned panto star Frank Bruno grinning maddly at us. Imagined him leaning back on the bar. 'Where's yer drink Frank?'...'It's behind you!'

The tone was set for an amusing evening - Chris and I were off to see Paul Merton's improv chums and our waiter contributed in no small part by belching loudly upon delivering our main courses.

Chat-e-phal was what I began with and my was it strange. Served at room temp in a gaudy looking indian bowl were diced potatoes, pumpkin, chick peas, grapes and wait for it...a glacier cherry, all drenched in a watery sour balsamic tamarind dressing.

Lamb Sag was however, well above par, not that my appetiser had been unpleasant (just retro in the extreme - circa 1970). Hefty pieces of meaty mutton in a savoury preparation punctuated by citrussy coriander seeds, along with a fine roti and moist flavourful pilau rice, orange and saffron yellow were more to my taste.

Not bad for Reading (!).

FOOD: 3.5
SERVICE: 3
AMBIENCE: 3
VALUE: 3.5

Willp2328score: 6.5/10

Shapla - Alresford

2008-06-13T10:51:00.008+01:00

In a renewed effort to make Petersfield Curry Club's Blog amusing I shall begin every restaurant review from now on with a joke.

Where better to begin than the funniest joke in the world. Here it is...
Question: "What do you call a Frenchman in sandals?"
Answer: "Phillippe Philoppe"

So good I might as well offer up the second funniest joke in the world too...
Interviewer: "When did you first discover you suffered from dyslexia?"
Interviewee: "When I went to a toga party dressed as a goat".

More next week!

Concerning last weeks curry club visit to Shapla, the food was once again well above par. A good meal was highlighted by a super Korai dish of shrimps in a fluid, minty preparation with the creamy, nutty savour of ground cashews, as well as Saag Aloo, buttery spinach and waxy potatoes rounded out by delicious roast garlic and Meat Madras, the perfect definition, sour with lemon and tomato puree, firey with pepper and smarting chilli powder. In addition pillow soft Naans (not chewy in the slightest) and bits of a mixed starter including plump slippery tandoori marinated King Prawn and a cumin flavoured sheek kebab were great. The only lowlight was a Stuffed Mushroom of deep fried disappointment.

The service was a bit harrassing but this didn't spoil a very pleasant evening. Shapla remains able to offer a selection of curries where the variation in taste and texture is clear.

FOOD: 5
SERVICE: 3
AMBIENCE: 4
VALUE: 4.5

Willp2328score: 9/10

The trouble with Salt n' Garlic

2008-06-04T12:20:00.006+01:00

Cooking without garlic is unimaginable for some. Italian chef Antonello Colonna says “to eliminate garlic is like eliminating violins from an orchestra.”1 The problem is that it has a very strong, predominating and permanent flavour – it hangs on the breath for hours. Garlic is seen as integral to indian cooking, salt too, in balancing a dish, better defining the spices. However, the combination of garlic and salt can quite often undermine a dish if used too liberally.

My Jaipuri curry at Jaipur, Southsea, lost the gentle woody taste of cinnamon, the toasty crunch of cumin seeds and the buttery perfume of bay leaves as a result. Only warm bitter cloves registered. Salt n’ garlic lamb - fine, except where other ingredients are compromised. Across the indian restaurant scene there has to be a little more respect shown to, in essence, the world’s greatest and most various cuisine.

Spices in a curry will be more evident the longer left to blend. Restaurants cannot keep customers waiting but they musn’t feel pressurised into rushing. There will continue to be a compunction to offer ‘traditional’* curry to satisfy the masses who won’t order anything that isn’t CTM (easily abbreviated, instantly recognisable, reputedly tasty) but chef’s could still cut menu’s (out with the English dishes for one!) and have time to prepare special sauces in advance as well as concentrating more on spicing.

Joe public like salt and garlic but if only they could taste the difference.

In truth a number of curry house chefs aren’t the masterchefs they claim – most can cook meat and veg OK but many can’t get flavours and aromas from whole spices or herbs, typically fenugreek. A solution? Use more powdered spice, be generous with herbs, take time to taste one’s effort, make sure not to throw in too much salt and garlic! Everyone would sleep better for it. There are time and monetary costs involved but an over reliance on garlic and salt could keep the Indian fare in Britains 7000+ curry joints from being considered worthy of it’s name.

*the irony being these dishes are usually the least authentic on offer

1 'Is Garlic Essential in Italian food' - Napa Valley Regsiter: June 26, 2007

Hason Raja - Bloomsbury, London

2008-05-31T14:28:00.003+01:00

The menu at Hason Raja is, to my taste, ideal. The food is largely Bangladeshi / North Indian, hearty and robust with liberal use of chilli and unground whole spices and portions, it transpired, are about the right size.

There are plenty of tandoori items among the starter selection. I enjoyed Salmon Tikka smothered with a smooth, sandy green herb paste but one could opt for charcoal smoked Monkfish, Brocolli, King Prawns.

Main dishes are classic. Anari Champ (Lamb with star ainse and pomegranate), Rara Rogan Gosht, Meat Shatkora (with wild lemon), Chicken Nilgri (with a prickly, minty spinach blend), Murgh Jalfrezi. I decided on Jungle Mache, a spicy Korai like curry tasting of mild, sweet capsicum, tangy garlic tomatoes with fiery peppercorns, bittersweet cardamom, liquorishy cloves.

Lots of good vegetable dishes too and a mustardy, succulent Bhindi Masala was great. Meanwhile Pilau rice proved slightly audente and just right.

A restaurant I'm pleased to have found - it would be a fine local as prices are OK (£25 a head with a glass or two of wine). Apparently it is Ricky Gervais' favourite, two floors should be enough to accomodate his list of celebrity 'mates'.

FOOD (& DRINK): 4.5
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 3.5
VALUE: 3

Willp2328 rating: 8/10

Spice Lounge – Petersfield, 17/05/08

2008-05-19T10:54:00.002+01:00

The restaurant sometimes feels like the epitome of the tempremental Great British curry house. It’s snug and warm inside, with an unpretentious demeanour that occasionally seems rather curious. The waiters generally provide decent service, though prolonged gaps between courses are not unknown, and for the most part the kitchen turns out tasty curries but doesn’t always show a dab hand with spice. With so many alternatives available to me reasons I eat here regularly are: 1) I know what to order and what not to order 2) Firuz the manager is a true gentleman and makes diners feel very welcome.

Eating in following an afternoon on Southsea common watching the FA Cup final, I enjoyed the typical Spice Lounge experience. The atmosphere was informal and homely, Firuz was characteristically kind and generous. Food wise ‘Ayre Biran’ was a tasteless, pan fried cutlet of white fish with obligatory salad whereas ‘Achari Murgh’, made with mango chutney, lime pickle, tomatoes and fruity fennel was full of flavour and spiked with chilli powder.

Their interpretations of traditional Indian and Bangladeshi fare are really bastardisations yet they work fine and who except for monomaniacs like me notices anyway? The ‘Achari’, the ‘Sali Boti’ – made with coconut, almond and tomato puree, rich and lovely like a luxury Korma – the ‘Chilli Mossala’, which makes clever use of ready made green chilli pickle are three examples. Thing is GB curry is a cuisine in itself and if that’s what you’re after – it probably is – then the Spice Lounge is almost as good as any. Vegetables can be bland (not Saturday’s earthy Chana Masala though) but side and main dishes alike are always well presented, rice and breads are perfectly acceptable.

In summary, I love the place for all its little imperfections. Oh and it’s pretty good value too.

FOOD (& DRINK): 3

VALUE: 4

SERVICE: 3

AMBIENCE: 4.5

Willp2328 rating: 6.5/10

Aubergine - Albert Road, Southsea, 9/5/08

2008-05-11T17:48:00.010+01:00

I’m a celebrity! For the second time in a fortnight I was recognised! This is what it must be like to be a cast member of the Bill thinks I. Free drinks all round! Unfortunately though the train wouldn’t wait. Sitting in Second Class, I reflected on a good meal at Aubergine.

Great textured, meaty Chicken Tikka dressed up pretty followed by Makai Gosht, Baigan Bartha and enough fluffly plain rice. My curry of tender lamb cubes and buttery sweet corn was flavourful, yoghurt based and creamy with an abundance of caramelised onion. My vegetable side dish, baked and mashed aubergine, light, lemony and leafy with coriander.

Considering all 4 of our party were more than satisfied with their food – Simon (Duck in a dry tamarind sauce spiked with resinous chilli), Emma (gooey Lamb Pasanda), Mum (Navratan Korma; mixed veg, nuts and dried fruit topped with grated cheese) - a bill of 33 quid (including 3 starters and a pleasant bottle of Sauvignon Blanc tasting of dry limes) was very reasonable.

I named the place in a recent Top 10 of Hampshire Curry Houses, it deserves it’s place!

FOOD (& DRINK): 4
VALUE: 4.5
SERVICE: 4
AMBIENCE: 3

Willp2328 rating: 7.5/10

Blue Cobra - North End, Portsmouth, 6/5/08

2008-05-08T10:46:00.002+01:00

Compared with high standard I have come to expect from Blue Cobra I had a slightly average meal on post bank holiday blow out with Swansea mate Dave. I won’t entertain the idea standards are slipping or rush to any hasty conclusions but the menu is getting bigger and bigger – unless the chef has as many arms as Ganesha he’ll find it difficult to do himself justice, well he would had they a regular clientele. Doubt the kitchen ever has to respond to 100 plus covers even at weekends, a shame, the restaurant deserves to be patronised.

Perhaps the abundance of new dishes is designed to attract customers, they sound tempting. E.g. Bombay Buffalo Bhuna - slow cooked lean Indian Buffalo in a medium strength thick sauce with black cardamon and Chicken Mooli. Beef Malabar, another new addition, was my main course. I’d hoped for the classic version, thick, pasty with roasted coconut. Turned out tart and mustardy with an underlying bittersweet liquorish taste from cloves and star anise. Salty but the flavours just about balanced.

A new starter, Dim Aloo (stupid potatoes) – two breadcrumbed patties, mostly egg and a little masala mash were fine but a bit dull. The pilau rice was as per usual perfectly audente and plentious. Apropos portions have got even larger, why waste good ingredients? This doesn’t neccesarily mean better value of course. A massive Aubergine side dish, drenched in ghee disappointed though it disappeared all the same (and not under the table). Cooking egglpant well is definitely a benchmark of a good indian, that said I’ve had too many good things* in the past to judge Blue Cobra on this alone.

* rich and delectable Gosht Kata Masala, chilli hot Naga Chicken, aromatic Tava Lamb, savoury Murgh Masala and Garlic Aloo Paneer

FOOD (& DRINK): 3.5
VALUE: 3.5
SERVICE: 3
AMBIENCE: 3

Willp2328 rating: 7/10

May meeting - Chilli Night, Haslemere

2008-05-04T20:19:00.006+01:00

As usual, we had a fine evening at Chilli Night. Attendance was a little lower than expected, but the food was well varied: chicken jalfrezi, garlic chilli chicken, lamb rogan, Ayre karai, achari lamb and prawn madras. These were accompanied by a good selection of rice, lentil, vegetables, and naans.

Fine food, very well presented, and all it lacked was the appetite of Will to hoover up the excess. He missed his first meeting in over a year - I hope the family holiday made up for it.

The Top 10

2008-05-02T15:58:00.006+01:00

'Where are the best places for curry near here?' - a question I am often asked. Last Saturday in the Gurkha Chautari it was Chris' turn.

After lovely herby fat little Momo, an excellent Bhutuwa curry (Lamb in a thick, rich paste with red peppers) and smoky, piquant Aubergine (Bhenta Tarkari), I felt I'd eaten in one of the best restaurants around.

So, below is the near definitive list, the TOP 10 south of Guildford, east of Chichester and west of Salisbury:

10 Jaipur - Albert Rd, Southsea
09 Dhanmondi - Whitehill
08 Mirchi - Albert Rd, Southsea
07 Madhuban Tandoori - Station Rd, Liss
06 Tiffin Club - Oxford Street, Southampton
05 Aubergine - Albert Rd, Southsea
04 Poppadom Express - Oxford Street, Southampton
03 Kuti's Brasserie - Southampton, Wickham, Fair Oak & Portswood
02 Gurkha Durbar & Chautari - Grayshott, Liphook
01 Shapla - West Street, Alresford

(any comments welcome)