THE TAJ, 110 LONDON ROAD, DUNTON GREEN, Nr SEVENOAKS

When I first visited this restaurant in 2002 the owner told me that he had been in business for thirty years and claimed to be the fourth longest established restaurateur in Kent, first opening in Sevenoaks and moving to the present premises in 1981. It's still there and under the same ownership, so he must therefore be doing something right.

The restaurant is bigger than it first appears, as behind the front area of reception and a smallish dining room are further dining areas, seating a total of 76 in comfortable surroundings. The menu is a fairly standard list of all the usuals. A good point is that they do operate a table reservation system, although curiously there seemed to be much discussion and reference to the reservations book before allocating a table, even though there were a good number vacant at the time we arrived on a Saturday night.

In 2002 my overall commented was: "Although nothing outstanding, the food overall was a good formula curry". I am still of that view, despite my attention being drawn by a reader to a review of this restaurant on Google, which was uncompromisingly scathing, particularly of the service. On the last occasion I had the Chicken Tikka Dhansak, which I found fairly spicy, and my wife had the CTM, which she reported as being the usual creamy, sweetish dish and an average to good example (I can't comment on this as I don't touch the stuff!). On this occasion she had the Tandoori Chicken, which again was a fairly average example although not (in my view) quite so deeply marinated or flavoursome as many I've tasted. I tried the Ginger Chicken Pepper Fry for a change, and have to say I was left a little disappointed. It was cooked with capsicums and in a light, pale-coloured sauce (I was expecting a dryer curry for a 'fry'), and although the sauce was peppery in taste, it was not as hot as expected, nor did it have any fullness of flavour of other spices. The dry vegetables were reasonable, containing a good selection of vegetables lightly cooked so as to retain their texture, but only lightly spiced. Tarka Dall a fairly thick, porridge-like consistency, but while it was perhaps a little thick it was pleasantly spiced with a nice garlic undertaste.

Prices and portions about average, and despite the poor review of service in another report I found the service to be adequate and pleasant (there were certainly enough waiters!). Overall a reasonable formula curry, although not one I would travel any distance for as I believe there are better ones in the Sevenoaks area.

Malcolm Wilkins - July 2010