TAJ OF KENT, CHURCH GREEN, MARDEN

This restaurant opened in or about 2005. It is Marden's second Indian restaurant, situated just on the outskirts of the village centre in a former pub. Despite it being in a former pub it is not large (it was a small pub!), with the main dining area to the right of the entrance, while the three tables to the left are largely unused apart possibly by people awaiting a take-away (which appeared to be popular). Marden is lucky enough to have had two Indian restaurants for a while, as apart from the long established Marden Tandoori, a second restaurant called The Royal opened round about 1999 and was very good (I wrote a favourable report in 2004). Notwithstanding this I am told that this restaurant closed some time ago (perhaps it was too close to the Marden Tandoori as it was virtually opposite), leaving room for the Taj  to take its place as the second Indian restaurant in the village.

The menu has all the traditional dishes, plus the now usual different names amongst the 'Specials', many of which would suit diners with a sweet tooth who do not like traditional or hot curries (for example, Chicken/Meat Modhu Kata cooked in honey; Chicken Tikka Chom Chom cooked with mango pulp and described as sweet and creamy; Chicken Bonoful cooked with mixed fruit and also described as sweet and creamy; Rangeela Chicken cooked with mango and once more described as sweet and creamy, and Chicken Passanda, which we all know is sweet and creamy!)

Overall the food was a good formula curry standard. Tandoori Chicken was strongly marinated and tasty, if slightly salty, while the Chicken Tikka Dansak in a light tan lentil sauce had a pleasing bite without being hot. The Tarka Dall was a little oily but well flavoured with garlic while the Vegetable Bhaji was also of good standard. The usual rice and accompaniments were the standard fare, although I did think the poppadoms seemed particularly crisp. Perhaps imagination, as providing they’re crisp there is not usually much to comment on, but I was conscious that these seemed a touch above the average.

Prices about average (at first sight the Pathia and Dhansak dishes look pricey, but they do come with rice) and plentiful portions (although the Dhansak, while having quite sufficient chicken, had enough sauce for  two portions!). Service very friendly and efficient on a busy Saturday night, and all the waiters seemed to have a good rapport with customers. All in all a good standard of formula curry, and again I have to say the Marden is fortunate to have two Indian restaurants in their relatively small village.

Malcolm Wilkins – June 2009