Brick Lane has plenty of choice. However, it has gradually changed from the days when Truman's Brewery used to be the English oasis in a predominantly Bangladeshi community. It has now gradually become more up market - even a tourist area with organised tour groups going through - and the old cafe style Asian places have introduced fancy things like curtains, table cloths, proper menus in windows and on tables, linen serviettes and waiters. More and more are becoming like the more western high street Indian restaurant rather than the Asian style of curry house, but. hopefully this had not had any detrimental effect on the food.

One place that that hasn’t changed too much over the years is Sweet & Spicy, an old cafe style establishment with Formica topped tables. Opening in 1969 it continues to ladle out excellent, no nonsense food from containers in canteen style to customers at the serving counter. There still is a genuine local atmosphere (generally few, if any tourists, but a good mix of local clientele). It also does a good take-away trade - again mainly from locals.

A small plate of onion, raita and a red coloured sauce is provided free, and water is on each table although they have a BYO policy for drink if need be. (Incidentally, I think they must also have a similar policy for toilet paper - something to remember if you are likely to need to use the fairly basic facilities!)

All food well spiced, excellent and relatively cheap, although perhaps not the rock bottom prices that there were when I first went 10 years ago  (at the time of this report I had a chicken tikka roll, vegetable curry and pilau rice for £6.40, but the pillau rice is a large mountain, probably enough for two)). Probably not the place for an evening meal, especially if you are taking the wife for a night out, but  my favourite in Brick Lane for a lunch time curry fix.

Malcolm Wilkins - March 2007