Friday 14 March 2008

Jaipur - Southsea, 8/3/08

It had been a long afternoon. Manchester United scraped past Portsmouth in the FA Cup (what a penalty save from Ferdinand and Scholesy’s last gasp winner, well!) while England laboured to victory at Murrayfield (Wilkson was inspired!). At least that’s what friends attending my birthday celebrations were obliged to pretend.

Pompey was buzzing, strange as their team lost earlier in the day, but then city is an enigma. We escaped the boisterous crowds, went to Jaipur. A lovely long evening was enjoyed, much hilarity, terrific curry. Starters arrrive as appetising portions leaving room for the excellent main courses. I had ‘parsi style fried chicken’ out of curiosity really, on a previous visit I’m sure the waiter mumbled it was ‘like KFC’ * – if so I can see his reasoning, two bread crumbed chicken drumsticks were pleasant but not remotely indian. However, Hyderbadi Lamb Hara Masala was fairly authentic and totally delicious. The sauce was smooth and creamy with coconut, rich with almond and piquant with mint plus the kitchen cooks meat very well. A sumptuous Dum Bhindi, long green fingers of okra stewed in curd and tangy onions and decent pilau embellished things accompanied by a bottle of refreshing Rose with rhubarb custard flavours. A firm favourite.

* presumably Kentucky fried chicken as opposed to Albert Road equivalent Kens fried chicken

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

Willp2328 rating: 7.5/10

No comments: