I have frequented this well respected establishment on two separate occasions with my good friend, whose name is of no consequence to the review which lies ahead.
The specifics of each encounter are, once again, of little if any importance. In fact, the two visitations have almost merged into one.
I have abridged the two into one and henceforth, will be treated as one, repeat ONE, review, as I am a man of few words. We partook in the very competitively priced Thursday night buffet being as it was Thursday. £6.50 the lot. Double Top! Two popadoms quickly arrived. Bog standard no more, no less. I was disappointed with the lack of the 'cat food' chutney as it coloquially known. Just the three chutneys on offer. Perhaps a chutney tray deluxe option could be offered for an extra 25p. Food for thought there for the management. It could catapult the indian food market into the 21st century.
The starter plate arrived, a little ahead of schedule if I'm not out of order to suggest such a thing. Comprising a platter of meats and a sliver or two of saladation, it was well received if a little premature. At this point, there was a development. A lady in a woollen hat emerged from the cold to sit at the table behind us. Having been greeted by 'a very charming young man', her words not mine, she then quizzed the owner at great lengths about everything relating to the elderly Indian gentleman's family. He has 6 children, we gathered, 3 of each.
She was sopping wet by now, and ordered a glass of wine.
She was either on the pull or from the DSS. My money being on neither. Darts superstar Tony O'Shea was also sighted in the restaurant, although I cannot vouch for him being there when you visit. I digress,our chicken vindas arrived, bang on cue. Authentic as mentioned by a good soul who has previously reviewed, a skinned potato joyously bobbing in the fiery sauce. My colleague had opted, rather adventurously if I may proffer, for a keema rice whilst I traversed the well trodden keema naan path. We did mix and match, which does us great credit even if I do say so myself. Both rice and bread were above average, as was the vindaloo. My only gripe here was that another spoon of sauce would not have gone amiss. My friend disagreed, but he is a cantankerous get. The stairs up to the bogs were a bit creeky for my taste, but the urinal area is a joy to behold. Blue is most definitely the colour, troughs, cistern and overhead area, the whole shooting match. Tombola! The only downsides were £4.50 for a bottle (large, mind) of Indian ale which took the edge off what was an otherwise triumphant evening. I would have liked to have given it 8 out of 10, but have instead awarded this establishment 4 out of 5. read more
