Curry could cure the common cold - Daily Telegraph

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

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

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.

Petersfield Curry Club October meeting - Dhanmondi - Wed 13th

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.