Spice Lounge in September!

The table is booked!  We had a great time at Dilli in Haslemere in August, and we thought we'd head back to Petersfield in September.  Although we went to the Spice Lounge in January, we're looking forward to another visit.  So please note: Tuesday 12th

We won't ask for the kulchi lamb this time - that's something that I just couldn't sort out over the phone without knowing numbers, but maybe we can plan ahead next time. 

I'm going to ask for feedback whether we should do more Wednesdays - at the moment the majority of our meetings are Tuesdays, like this one. 

Aperitifs will be at the Old Drum from about 7 pm and then dinner will be at 8.  Please let me know either by e-mail in response to this members' meeting notice or using the feedback page on our web site whether you expect to make it. 

Let's look forward to a great evening on Tuesday 12th!

Spice Lounge in January!

We're looking forward to our first visit since the pandemic to the Spice Lounge, Petersfield.

When we go there, we often have a special, kulchi lamb, a slow-cooked whole leg, but we need really good numbers to order it (and eat it!).

I suggest this time we go for a variety of standard dishes - let's see what else the restaurant has to offer - but if at least eight members reply by Friday night asking for lamb, I'll see what we can do. 

Aperitifs will be at the Old Drum from about 7 pm and then dinner will be at 8.  Please let me know either by e-mail in response to this members' meeting notice or using the feedback page on our web site whether you expect to make it.  And if you really want the lamb special, please make it clear.

Let's look forward to a great evening on Tuesday 10th!. 

Spice Lounge in November!

We visited in January - not bad - but we hear it's improved since.  Early last year, the menu changed direction to something that looked expensive and very short of interesting dishes.  Now it's offering a full menu including some really hot dishes (phall, naga) as well as more sensible favourites.

I haven't ordered the kulchi lamb yet, but if at least eight people ask for it by 6 pm Saturday, I'll make a call.  The spiced up version was really quite good.

Aperitifs will be at the Old Drum from about 7.30 pm and then dinner will be at 8.30.  Please let me know either by e-mail in response to the members' meeting notice or using the feedback page on our web site whether you expect to make it.

Let's look forward to a great evening on Tuesday 12th November!

Spice Lounge on 15th Jan!

We haven't been to the Spice Lounge since December 2017.  Early last year, the menu changed direction to something that looked expensive and very short of interesting dishes.  Fortunately it's back as an Indian restaurant and we're booked to go there on Tuesday 15th.  That's a week later than the usual schedule, but we felt at the last meeting that the 8th was just too close to New Year.


I haven't ordered the kulchi lamb yet, but if at least eight people ask for it by 6 pm Saturday, I'll make a call and see what they can do - if it's on the new menu.  The spiced up version was really quite good.

Aperitifs will be at the Old Drum from about 7.30 pm and then dinner will be at 8.30.  Please let me know either by e-mail in response to the members' meeting notice or using the feedback page on our web site whether you expect to make it.

As evidence that the restaurant has changed direction, there's a new web site including new menu and a promotions/offers page.  That looks enterprising, they've obviously got ideas, so let's look forward to a great evening on Tuesday 15th of January.

Wednesday 13th December - Spice Lounge

We've moved the December meeting to Wednesday because a good number of members are interested in attending the charity Rugby  match at Petersfield RFC on Tuesday 12th.   Petersfield will take on a Royal Navy President's XV under floodlights - see the poster here.  The fixture will raise money for the Rosemary Foundation and the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charities.

Our table is booked at Spice Lounge for Wednesday 13th, and the kulchi lamb will be done the way we like it.  Aperitifs will be at the Old Drum from about 19:30 and then dinner will be at 20:30.  In order to know how many legs of lamb we need to order, please can members let me know by Sunday night (10th December) whether or not they expect to make it?  As usual, please respond using the feedback page on the web site or reply to the e-mail to be sent to members shortly.

We cancelled the November meeting because so many people were away, some of them in really exotic parts of the world.  We hope everyone is back in one piece for December.  Spice Lounge is a favourite and a fine way to round off the Curry Club year.  Looking forward to a great evening!

March - Spice Lounge

The table is booked and so is the kulchi lamb!  Our March meeting takes place on Tuesday 14th at the Spice Lounge in Petersfield.  We asked last time (June) for the kulchi lamb to be made spicy and the result was fantastic - people raved about it.  So we've asked for the same thing again. 

Aperitifs will be at the Old Drum from about 19:30 and then dinner will be at the Spice Lounge (just a couple of minutes' walk from the pub) at 20:30.  

We need to give the restaurant as good an estimate of numbers as possible by Monday so that the right amount of lamb can be given the slow slow treatment.  Please reply to the e-mail notice sent to members or use the feedback form on our web site. 

Talking of web sites, the Spice Lounge seems to be making a real effort to improve its marketing.  Its web site www.spiceloungepetersfield.co.uk has a new modern look, they're trying to use Facebook effectively, and they even did a lunch 'thali for a pound'  offer for a few days at the beginning of February.  Great work, and we're looking forward to a great evening on Tuesday 14th.

Tuesday 14th June - Spice Lounge revisited!!

The table is booked!  We had such a good time at the Spice Lounge in April that we've decided to go back on 14th June.  This time it's a Tuesday meeting, but otherwise the details are as usual. We'll meet for aperitifs at the Old Drum at around 19:30 and then dinner will be at 20:30 at the restaurant. 

Just like last time, we need to know if members would like kulchi lamb to be ordered in advance.   In April, the chef did a great job by preparing the dish with a bit of kick to it; people seemed to like this very much.  If at least eight say Yes then it can be ordered, but we need to  know by Sunday 18:00 .  Please either use the feedback page on the web site or mention on your reply to the members' notice e-mail to let your preferences be known.  

Looking forward to a great evening next Tuesday!

Wed 13th April - Spice Lounge

The table is booked for April's meeting at Spice Lounge in Petersfield.  Aperitifs will be at the Old Drum from 19:30 and then dinner will be at Spice Lounge at 20:30.

We need to know if members would like kulchi lamb to be ordered in advance.  If at least eight say Yes then it can be ordered, but we need to  know by Monday 18:00 if people want this - not everyone does. Please either use the feedback page on the web site or mention on your reply to the members' notice e-mail to let your preferences be known.  

I expect to be away so someone else will be organising on the night - have a great evening!

Spice Lounge again on 10th June! And a survey...

We had a small turnout for the May meeting, but we were well looked-after and food was very good and plentiful.  The five that attended decided that it was well worth a revisit in June, so that's the venue.  The table is booked!  The Old Drum is closed for refurbishment;  aperitifs will again be taken at the George.

Once again, I'll ask the John and Fiona to be the organisers on the evening.  Wednesday commitments are making it impossible for me to attend as often as I'd like, and other members have the same issue.  There's also been feedback that 20:30 is a late time for dinner and some suggestions that it should be moved earlier.

Members are asked therefore please  to fill out our short (three question) survey that I've put together using SurveyMonkey.  I'll send a link to it with the June meeting notice.  Please also let me know a.s.a.p. whether you plan to attend the June meeting on Wednesday 10th: aperitifs at the George from 19:30, dinner at Spice Lounge at 20:30.  You can use the feedback page on the website or reply to the e-mail to let me know if you'll be at the meeting. 

May meeting - Wed 13th - Spice Lounge

The table is booked!  May's venue is the Spice Lounge, and for aperitifs, we've chosen to go to The George this time.  Drinks are from 19:30 and dinner will be at 20:30 as usual.

We usually order kulchi lamb when we visit Spice Lounge, but this had a mixed reception last time.  It needs to be ordered in advance, so if we have at least eight attending that also say they want it, I'll let the restaurant know.  Members, please let me know using the web site feedback page whether you'll be there, and if you want kulchi lamb or not.  Alternatively, please let me know in answer to our e-mail notice.   

I'll be away so someone else will be organising on the night - have a great evening!

Apologies to members who received an e-mail headed May meeting - Wed 12th.  Of course, it's 13th. 

Spice Lounge - and Kulchi Lamb

The table is booked! We've decided to hold our April meeting in Petersfield and the chosen venue is Spice Lounge. We'll meet at the Old Drum for aperitifs from about 19:30, and then dinner will be at 20:30 as usual.

Wednesday is the Spice Lounge's banquet night but with pre-booking they are able to do our favourite, their speciality Kulchi Lamb. Obviously before it goes into the oven, we need to know that sufficient members will be there to eat it! Please let me know by 7 p.m. Monday 7th, through the feedback page of the web site or by e-mail response to our mail out to members if you plan to be there (or not). We need at least 10...

Looking forward to a great evening on Wednesday 9th!

July - Spice Lounge - Wed 10th

The table is booked!  Our July meeting takes place at Spice Lounge; aperitifs will be taken at the Old Drum from 19:30 or before, and dinner will be at 20:30 as usual.

The meeting notice will be sent out by e-mail as usual, and members can reply to that, or use the feedback form on our web site (select the "I'm coming to the meeting" button).

For anyone that's interested (and this is one of the most tedious subjects around at the moment), our web site is cookie-free apart from a Google Analytics tag.  There's some stuff about this for you to read if you're bothered.  If you use our Amazon shop, they'll probably track you too, to improve their customer service.  And why not?

Looking forward to a great evening on the 10th!

December meeting - Spice Lounge!

Petersfield Curry Club's December meeting took place at the Spice Lounge, on Wednesday 12th. We had our best turnout of the year for the occasion.  The group enjoyed several beers or glasses of wine at The Old Square Brewery, before taking the short walk to the restaurant, just as the pub's evening enterntainment was doing its sound check and conversation became difficult.

Spice Lounge is clearly doing well at the moment, because the place was full.  There was another full long table next to ours in the extra (overflow) room on the far side of the stairs, and everyone seemed to be having a very good time.  We feared that being so busy would mean slow service, but once the initial drinks were ordered, it all went pretty smoothly. 

The restaurant laid on a mixed starter of sheek and shami kebab, chicken tikki, and onion bhaji, and then the main courses were headlined by the special order Kulchi Lamb, our big favourite for this restaurant.  It's a whole leg of lamb that's marinated for about a day and then very slow-cooked with spices, basted periodically.  The other dishes included more familiar fare, including CTM (not too mild), chicken balti, chicken dhansak, and some other unusual dishes: chicken pura murchi (cumin, fennel), achari lamb (lime and ginger), honey chicken and king prawn delight.  Side dishes included special and pilau rice, naans, dhal, and vegetables.

This was quite a feast, and the lamb went far enough to provide a takeaway for one of our members who was unwell and unable to make the evening.  We wish him a rapid recovery and all our members a happy and prosperous 2013.

Spice Lounge, 11th July

Despite the torrential rain that could have kept fainter hearts at home, we had a great turnout for July's meeting at Spice Lounge, Petersfield. The centrepiece of our dinner was kulchi lamb, marinated, slow-cooked and delicious, which provided plenty of second helpings.

Other main courses included a chicken chilli massala, king prawn balti, chicken balti, and a selection of vegetable side dishes, dhal, rice and naans. Very good, and throughly enjoyed.

Judith in charge of the seconds...

The programme for August and September is:

08 Aug	Malabon, Petersfield
12 Sep	Gurkha Chautari, Liphook

Let's hope we have some summer weather by then!

Table booked for 14th December: Spice Lounge, Petersfield

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!

Meetings for Oct-Dec 2011

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.

May meeting - Spice Lounge, 11th May

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.  

December - Spice Lounge, Petersfield

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

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.

September meeting - Spice Lounge, Petersfield

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.