A deceptively large restaurant being divided by a partition with further tables round a corner. Therefore, although seating about 90, the atmosphere for diners is more intimate than the size suggests. Friendly welcome, pleasant atmosphere, good decor and comfortable seating. A comprehensive menu with all the usuals plus a few not so usual, and a separate Balti and ‘Healthy Option’ menu (the latter should really be called the ‘Garlic Menu’, as it listed standard dishes with the word ‘garlic’ prefixed - such as garlic chicken tikka, garlic tikka masala, garlic korai chicken, garlic rice, garlic nan and so on!)

Popadoms were crisp and light with a good pickle selection (which, together with the riata, was left throughout the meal). Chicken Chat moderately tasty but it lacked zest and sharpness. Onion Bhajias contained plenty of onion and were enjoyable with a curious sweet and cloying taste about them (my wife said she would have fund them equally acceptable with custard as a sweet!). Pathia was flavoursome and acceptably hot but without the thick dark sauce characteristic of this dish and without any discernible sweet or sour flavours to it. The Garlic Chicken Bahar (healthy eating!) was so overwhelmed by garlic that it masked any other flavour. Vegetable Curry disappointing, as it was bland and the vegetables overcooked and mushily blended together to lose their individual flavours. Peshwari Nan excellent - light, hot and with plenty of fruit filling. 

The service was slick, fast and efficient. Indeed, it was almost too quick as the starters were served within a few minutes of ordering as we were just beginning to nibble the popadoms.

Similarly the main dishes arrived within seconds of finishing the starters. This seems to make a nonsense of the message on each menu that says " To enable us to keep our food to the highest standards each and every dish is freshly prepared and individually cooked, so a little patience is appreciated". Who are they kidding - with food appearing liked greased lightening this message invites ridicule, as the content is plainly false and just for show.

The service was also too attentive (waiters hesitating each time they passed, and waiting to pounce as you ate the last few mouthfuls). However, this must be par for the course as I noted the following recent comment in the ‘guest book’ that we were invited to sign - "Excellent service - a little like eating your dinner in a hurricane!" I know what that unknown diner means.

Portions adequate and prices about average, although a 12½% service charge is added to the bill (which, rather naughtily, was not mentioned on the menu) which bumps it up a bit. The restaurant scores highly on the trimmings and is pleasantly comfortable, but food a bit of a mixed bag.

Malcolm Wilkins - October 1998