Established in 1973 this is the second oldest restaurant in Maidstone and also claims to be the second oldest in Kent (the first claim is true but the second is not - for example the Curry Mecca in Gravesend opened in 1972 and the claim that Kent only had one Indian restaurant until 1973 is plainly inaccurate). An interesting looking restaurant having a wide high glass frontage behind which are some potted palm trees and two wide staircases going up to the dining area which is situated on what appears to be a huge balcony. There is a small side room downstairs with additional tables but principally the restaurant is on the mezzanine floor. The building may well have been a former cinema or theatre from the design.

It seats 54 in comfortable surroundings, having pastel green walls with wall lights, pastel green table linen which, together with the palms downstairs gives it a very green look. The menu, despite the different and above average restaurant design, and the menu rather poshly listing the starters as ‘Hors D’oeuvre’ rather than starters or appetisers, is a standard high street curry house list.

For starters we had Onion Bhaji and Chicken Chat. The bhajias were five small round ones and excellent - well flavoured with no stodginess and very little gram flour which made then very crispy right the way through. One of the best onion bhajias I have for a long time. The Chicken Chat was also excellent, being very tastily spiced pieces of chicken on a puree. Not a large portion, but just right for an appetiser. Both starters came with an ample, crisp salad garnish.

My wife went for Tandoori Chicken for her main course and this again was a very good example. Very well marinated with a strong tandoori flavour and two large pieces. My Chicken Tikka Pathia was also well up to standard, being in a rich, flavoursome sauce, relatively hot (not too much so but enough to give it bite) with the underlying sweet and sour flavours. There was also an underlying coconut flavour which is unusual in Pathia.. Our accompanying Dry Mixed Vegetable was just as I like it - large, separate pieces of a good variety of vegetables lightly cooked to retain their individuality and nicely spiced. The rice, which was included in the Pathia, was a standard offering.

Portions and prices about average (and some very reasonable - for example the tandoori chicken was only £4.20 for two large pieces which was excellent value), service efficient and friendly. Indeed, when the bill came they had omitted to charge for my pint of lager. When I pointed it out they said to have it on the house. I insisted on paying for it and they thanked me very politely for letting them know.

All in all an excellent meal in an attractive restaurant. The fact they are long established is a good pointer, but even better was the fact that when I first looked in at 7.30 on a Wednesday evening they were crowded, and at 9 pm when I went to eat they were packed. What better recommendation than that. 

Malcolm Wilkins - August 2002