I noticed the Candle Night advert in the E&S which suggested that it regards itself as a high class restaurant, and so I was duly tempted add it to the list. It was the Sat before bonfire night, we suspected everywhere would be quiet and were right, at 7.30pm we were the only customers apart from two take-outs. Two more tables arrived at 8.30pm but needless to say the atmosphere was a bit lacking. The outside of the building doesn't give a clue as to what lies inside which looks like a modern take on a barn conversion. Newly done, the decor is clean and bright with vivid colours, there are some nice touches but also a couple of rough edges. I feel the Koi pond is out of place and not really appropriate for the restaurant or the Koi for that matter. To me the feel is a little cold, not helped by the glass tables which tend to be noisy. The Candle Night has a sister restaurant in Old Hill which is very similar, pity the owner couldn't have been tempted to experiment a little. Beauty is in the eye and so more importantly on to the food & service.
Our waiter was pleasant enough but perhaps could have known a little more about the dishes on the menu, this wasn't really an issue because like most customers we already new what we were having.
The poppadoms & tray were very good and you could see that a little extra effort had been taken. This effort carried on into the onion bhaji & sheekh kebab starters, complete with a nice side salad, sizzler and copious amount of fried onions which we both thought were very good. Unfortunately both the main courses, a CT dopiaza & CT sagwalla, were a little thin in taste for our preferences and although pleasant did not have the depth of flavour we like. Portions were generous and they were nicely presented. The sides of rice, G&C nan & were all excellent. We found room for desserts the wife had a mint bomb which had a budget taste to it and was pricey for what it was, however my banana fritter was excellent.
Service was pleasant and prompt throughout and overall it was a reasonable night. The food isn't quite fine dining but reckon it would please most. I suspect that for the Tandoori / CT Masalla wallas it may well be better and the final bill is not unreasonable.
Three stars perhaps mean but I would have been a little too generous with 4 stars as the main courses were a little disappointing for our preference. read more