TASTE OF RAJ, HIGH STREET, GRAVESEND

This used to be called Dill Raj, which opened in March 2007. Earlier in 2008 I noticed it had closed, and shortly afterwards opened under its present name. It appears to seat about 40 in standard setting, and the menu looks to be the usual list of dishes. As the high street is somewhere I rarely go in the evening, and its never open during the day, I haven't been in to discover any further details, or whether it is the same ownership and chef as the previous restaurant (and if so, why the change? See my comments on the history of Cinnamon in the town!) 

As it may well be the same ownership/chef, I give below my 2007 report on the Dil Raj*. In view of what I said about its location, the same comment goes for this restaurant also (A recent look at the restaurant showed a pile of mail inside the front door, which indicates that it may be closed, even though all the tables are set up, so my comments could well be prophetic).

" I first went in March shortly after they opened, and found it good, so I have been back for a take-away several times since. All the dishes have been of a good standard. The Ginger Murgh was slightly unusual as it was a chicken kebab dish rather than chicken meat, but was very tasty with plenty of ginger. The Sabzi Dansak as a main dish was also excellent, being robustly spiced with a good selection of vegetables. Chicken Tikka Pathia an good flavour, Tandoori Chicken a good size and well marinated, and all other dishes up to scratch, particularly the Garlic Nan, which although slightly on the small side, was light and moreish.

Service efficient enough, and with the take-away they give three complimentary popadoms. Portions good and prices about average. I hope it does well, but I do have slight doubts, not because of the quality of the food which is good but the location is probably not the best (the high street is not, as the name suggests, the main road through town, there is no through traffic to give passing trade or parking, and it can be a little rough and rowdy on weekend evenings) and there is plenty of competition in town. It would not be the first Indian restaurant to have failed in that spot. I await with interest to see what its future holds."   

Malcolm Wilkins - October 2008