Reputedly the first Indian restaurant in Exeter, being in existence at least since the early 60s when it was known as ‘Cheap-O’s’ by the local student population (no doubt a reflection of it’s prices at the time).

Situated near the station in a Georgian terrace it seats 44 in a fairly narrow room divided into two areas. Decor OK but with minimal room between tables making it very cramped.

Standard menu and unremarkable food. Lamb Tikka starter tasty although the meat was a little chewy. Onion Bhajia below average, being balls of stodge. Chicken Dhansak in a very lentilly but not particularly hot sauce. The chicken pieces were very dry and quite unlike the chunks used in my wife’s Chicken Tikka dish (part of the non vegetarian Thali) which were very succulent. Mixed Vegetable Bhaji fairly average. My wife’s non vegetarian Thali comprised small portions of Meat Bhuna (very tender meat - probably pressure cooked - but in a sauce like onion gravy and lacking spice), Prawn Pathia (very wish washy. Lots of prawns but in a watery sauce with no hotness at all) and Chicken Tikka (succulent, very tasty and the best of the lot). The Rice was OK but the Nan was like a crispy pitta - my wife likened it to a large water biscuit and that hits the nail on the head!

Prices and portions about average. Service only moderate. The group next to us were complaining of waiting over 1¼ hours without being served, but there were ten of them and it was a Saturday night. Nevertheless, this did seem an unreasonably long time. On hearing this I feared the worse but we only waited about 40 minutes - still long enough. However, the main point of contention was the bill. They had added over £4 to the food section, charged for 2 tonic waters rather than one with a gin and tonic, and then added it all up wrongly to boot (over £1 too much) - in total about £6 over the top. One mistake I could accept but all three in their favour!! One wonders if this is a deliberate late Saturday night ploy in hoping people will not check, but perhaps I am just being uncharitable. However, I did not leave a tip on this occasion.

All in all a very average meal in very average surroundings. It may have been the first Indian restaurant in Exeter, but I doubt whether it’s the best. If it is, then I feel sorry for the poor people of Exeter.

Malcolm Wilkins - January 1999