Biplob - Swindon

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]