EDEN PALACE, 41 HYTHE STREET

Established in 1998 it has the slight disadvantage that the dining area is not visible from outside as the door opens into a narrow and empty corridor which leads to the restaurant itself. However, the staff clearly keep an eye on the door as once inside someone appeared at the other end to welcome us in.

The dining area is large and comfortably appointed, seating about 80 people in pleasant surroundings. The menu is comprehensive offering all the familiar dishes (although it seems a bit unnecessary to have two sections headed ‘House Specialities’ and ‘Eden Palace Specialities’ respectively!)

The Onion Bhajias for starters (four medium sized round variety) came with a fresh salad garnish but were soft and could have done with further cooking and crisping up. I also felt they had been standing a while as they were not particularly hot. However, the Chicken Chat Masala was pleasantly spiced.

The two main dishes of Chicken Rezala and Chicken Jalferezi (sic) were both good. The Rezala was full flavoured with a slight sharpish tang – perhaps lemon juice – while the Jalfrezi was also good with the green chillis cooked in it rather than thrown in afterwards, which gave the whole dish the chilli hotness and flavour. Saag Aloo was fairly standard and the Dall Samba was very good.

Service good, prices and portions about average, and a good range of beers (Cobra, Kingfisher, Carlsburg etc). The only minor criticism was that four people (two couples) were constantly foul mouthed in loud voices, which is unnecessary and unwanted in an otherwise pleasant restaurant. The manager was obviously aware and disapproved as once they had gone he came and apologised to us. It was nice of him to do so, but it might have been better if he had politely asked them to stop or at least keep their voices down from the beginning as I wouldn’t particularly want to take my wife there if that is typical of the clientele, However, despite this it was a reasonable high street formula curry meal in pleasant surroundings.   

Second Visit

A couple of years after the above report I visited on a Thursday evening, when they advertise  'Banquet Night', offering one starter, one main, one side dish, one rice and one bread £9.95. The list from which to choose is limited to the more standard curries,  (5 starters, about 10 mains, half a dozen side dishes, several types of rice and bread) and apart from the starters did not include any of the dishes we had on the earlier visit. However, while not 'banquet' food it is quite adequate and good value if quality is not a particular requirement. On this occasion the onion bhajias were crisp on the outside, but as before soft on the inside, and the chicken chat was a bit old and tired, as though scooped from a large pot cooked some time ago and microwaved. Chicken Curry very basic, the Lamb Dopiaza was OK, and the best was the Chicken Pathia, which was spicily hot with a good sweet/sour flavour. Mixed Veg basic stuff, while Bombay Aloo (large wedges of damp and greasy potato) and Channa Masala extremely bland. Didn't really need both rice and breads, and at least half was left. They might to better to offer a rice or bread, and invest the savings into a better standard of main meal. However, portions were plentiful and it represented good value. One criticism was that as soon as we had started the popadoms and pickles (at additional charge) the starters arrived (no doubt having been quickly microwaved). I wish restaurants wouldn't do this and at least let us finish the preliminary nibbling in peace.

Malcolm Wilkins - July 2007