GANGES, ST CLEMENT STREET

The oldest established Indian restaurant in Truro, opening in the late eighties. The decor is pleasant enough, with a large restaurant area divided by attractive fish tanks down the centre, the walls almost totally covered by mirrors with Indian scenes on them, red table cloths, and a fairly dimly lit interior with inset ceiling lights. The menu is fairly standard, offering all the usuals.

The Onion Bhaji starters were four round bhajias, which were pleasingly light and crispy with a tingly spice, and accompanied by an extremely tasty red onion relish on the plate. Chicken Chat was slightly different from the average - not the sharp flavour often found but fairly sweet and spicy. It was very good indeed (although being covered by a plentiful julienne of fresh cucumber detracts slighty if, like me, you don't care for cucumber!)

The main dish of Tandoori Chicken comprised two generous and succulent pieces, which while perhaps not so deeply marinated and 'tandooried' as some, were very tasty and had plenty of fresh coriander sprinkled over it. Chicken Pathia was equally good, being nicely hot in a rich, dark sauce with the appropriate sweet and slightly sour background. Finally, the Mixed Vegetable Bhaji was also of good standard. Although the vegetables were in small pieces it had an excellent full-bodied spicy flavour. Rice and other accompaniments standard.

Good sized portions and prices about average. Service was a bit slow on the last occasion* (it's usually OK, but it was a Saturday night when the place was packed, including one particularly large group).

No wonder it's well patronised as all in all it consistently provides a very good meal.

(* on my most recent visit I had a take-away. Despite being promised a pick up time - I specifically asked for a definite time as I was in a car on my way to somewhere else and stressed the importance - I had to wait a further 15 minutes before it was ready. I felt a little let down by this, and from this single experience it seems that take-away service timing is unreliable. I doubt I'll get a take-away from them again, although the food's good enough to get me back as a sit-down customer). 

Malcolm Wilkins - May 2005