Lahore - Bradford

Chocolate Fondue and Belgian Waffle

Lahore, or MyLahore, I'm not quite sure, is a great place, and I cant believe it's been nearly three years since we visited this the original Lahore - here in Bradford. There are now Lahore's in Leeds, Manchester (Which I've visited in the interim) and Birmingham too - by the way - so branching out a bit.

 Birthday Girl Izzy

Our Tommy

Thursday dinner time, and my daughter Izzy's 4th Birthday treat to Lahore, and Lahore is heaving (all four floors!), with people almost queuing at the door!  Very VERY popular!  These trendy cafe style places, although not fully taken over from the original style 'Bradford curry house' are all the rage. Here at Lahore you are treated to trendy decor, with each floor exhibiting a slightly different colour trend, a vibrant atmos, fast and friendly service, and good value for money.

Also, you get treated to a varied menu, definitely leaning towards Asian cuisine, but also including pasta dishes, burgers, steaks, paninis, etc.  AND CAKES!  Yes plenty of cake.

The chairs proved to be the perfect little
girl trap - we did laugh! 

To be honest, today was my little girls Birthday, so I took my John the Bradford Curry Bloogers hat off, and just decided to sit back, relax and enjoy the experience.  However, me being me, I took a few nice photos I thought I'd share... and thought I'd best just add a few words to boot too.

Food wise for me it was Chefs Special Desi Meat Karahi with Garlic Naan, Lynda went for Grilled Paneer on a Naan, and Izzy opted for kiddies smily faces and fish fingers!  Ggrrrr!  But at least it highlights that Lahore caters for everyone - no exceptions.  All arrived promptly and all was very very nice.

Desi Meat Karahi

The Desi Meat Karahi possessed that full bodied and rounded curry flavour.  No additional flavours such as spinach, methi, lime pickle, whatever, added the this karahi to mask the excellent taste.  The Garlic naan was good fresh and fluffy also, and the meal didn't last long!  The paneer on a naan was good too, grilled to perfection, and adding a lovely bbq flavour.  Portion size was perhaps a little more starter than main, but this was reflected in the price. 

This left plenty of room to treat ourselves to a couple of deserts!  Belgian Waffle and Chocolate Fondue.  No desert expert me, but I had no complaints.  I concentrated on the waffle, and it was waffley, ice creamy and chocolatey!  Very good.  The fondue was fun and Izzy enjoyed dipping the various fruits etc in the choc... who wouldn't?

We had an excellent time.  Lahore is bustling and a fun and great place to visit.  Smashing.

Lahore

Location

Lahore Cafe Bar,
52 Great Horton Road,
BD7 1AL
Bradford,
United Kingdom

Tel: 01274 308508

http://www.mylahore.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/mylahore?sk=info#!/mylahore?sk=wall

Time

18th June 2011 @ ~16:00

Attendees

Gemma, Noel, Jake, Jenny, Pete, Lilly, Dan, Lynda, Izzy and John

Local Watering Hole

The Sir Titus Salt (a Weatherspoon’s Pub) behind the, what was, the Queens Hall was chosen for a pre curry drink. “Not another ‘Witherspoons’” I here you cry but, I’m afraid to say, my knowledge of Bradfordian hostelries is limited to say the least. However, I’m happy to go on record as saying the Sir Titus Salt must be the best Wetherspoon’s in the land. It is a spectacular building inside – harking back to Victorian times I would have thought. It also has a dedicated children’s room, which Izzy managed to make all her own after staring out a couple who were sat in there when we arrived – good girl.

Expectations

Lahore had slipped below my radar, probably due to its geographical location - just below the Poly, nestled in a parade of what I thought were simple fast food takeaway’s. However, an esteemed member of the Bradford Curry Club drew my attention to the restaurant and, after a little t’interweb research it appeared it was going to be a little gem.

The Reality

Having four young children in our party – although adding to a very enjoyable late afternoon curry eating experience – did hinder somewhat the analysis of every mouthful of yummy curry.

This is a very popular restaurant – even at early tea time – and got progressively busier, and did not disappoint. It’s all very trendy, dare I say funky, décor inside, with a spiral staircase joining the four floors. We were seated on a large round table nestled in a bay window on the second floor. The menu is very varied and includes pasta, burgers, paninis, cake, ice cream, etc, along with curry – but don’t let this put you off – there seems to be shift towards this kind of dining experience in Bradford. Akbars Café springs to mind.

Following the speedy dispatch of poppadoms etc, the mixed grill starters, of kebabs, lamb chops etc, were ace, and had a really BBQy flavor, suggesting being cooked over charcoal as opposed to inside the tandor. They were also of a high quality and fresh – oh and cheap. However, I opted for the Aloo Paratha, which was very nice in its own way, and tasted a little of cinnamon, but defo wasn’t a patch on the mixed grill. That’s not taking anything away from the paratha you understand.

Meat Dopiaza was chosen as my main and it was pretty tasty stuff really. The meat was of good quality and the gravy rich and gloopy – I polished every last morsel off. The obligatory garlic naan was also ordered and had huge dollops of raw garlic smeared on top – Top draw as far as I’m concerned.

I didn’t hear any complaints from the kids re their korma either. However, my little one had managed to fill herself up on lassi and poppadoms, and didn’t really attack the korma with the usual gusto – lesson learnt there I feel?? However, she seemed to find room for ice cream?? Strange that??

Drinks Policy and range

The above was lubricated down the neck hole with a couple of jugs of Lassi and water – no booze here I’m afraid.

Highlights

The chargrilled mixed grill starters. Other ‘From the Grill’ offerings were available, and I think maybe the place to head on any following visits.

Lowlights

Non really. No booze I suppose is a bit of an issue, for me any road, especially if you’re ‘out out’.

The Damage

The total bill for six adults and five babies came to about £90 inc. tip. Pretty reasonably I think? But, of course, this is without drinks.

Aftermath

All fit and healthy the following day.

Overall

Funky, good menu, reasonable, staff friendly. Really good.