Omar's Notorious Naan

Just superb...

 

Omar's - Another Birthday Treat!

Omar's - home of the Notorious Naan.... oh and darn good curry too?

This trip to drink beer in Bradford's finest drinking establishments, and to eat Bradford Curry, was actually a belated Birthday night out with work friends.  I know it's getting on for a month after my actual Birthday, but you know me, I'm not the kind of guy to grumble at a day out however spurious the reason.  

However, before we get the the nitty gritty of Omar's itself the there is the small matter of a few pubs...

The Sparrow

The plan was to meet around 16:30 at the Shoulder of Mutton on Kirkgate - as I strode in Ngoc Phan and Martin, the evenings drinking buddies (Mary was to join us later), were already sat in the corner enjoying there first drinks. Good start.  T'shoulder is a spit and sawdust Sam Smiths place - pretty traditional with the faint whiff of wet dogs!  However, it possess a good atmos and, of course, there is the value for money Sam Smiths booze on offer.  It is always a good place to start due to it's proximity to the train stations, and is the only place in the absolute city centre I can think of with anything about it?

So, from t'Shoulder, we wandered to the Sparrow Bier Cafe.  Among my Leeds dwelling, and rare visitors to Bradford what so ever drinking buddies, the Sparrow struck a more familiar and happy chord.  It's trendy, vibrant and has a good selection of quality beverages.  I could tell Ngoc Phan and Martin were happy here.  Indeed, it is one of my favorite pubs in Bradford too.  I was tret to a Kwak so was a happy bunny.

Notorious...

Next was The New Bee Hive.  Here didn't go down well at all!  I've always liked t'Hive but statements such as "I think this is the worst pub I have ever been in" suggested to me issues?  The good quality of the beer was commented on, but we didn't dwell and swiftly moved on.  By now, the fourth Bradford Curry eating team member - Mary - had arrived, and was wondering around Centenary Square, so we jogged on down up to Sir Titus Salt for one last pre curry pint.  The Sir Titus Salt is in a spectacular building - a former swimming pool I understand - and is by far the best Wetherspoons I've ever been in.  Sucking of teeth did ensue on the mention of Wethersppons, but this soon diminished once in awe of the premises!  Phew, done. Now just a quick trip to the offy (Omar's is BYO) for some beer and wine and then CCcccuuuuuuuuuuurrrrryyyyyyy!

Notorious...

Omar's was a touch quiet on arrival at about 19:30.  But it was the middle of Ramadan, and the restaurant did fill during our stay.  We munched on popadoms and pickles whilst perusing the menu - much of which was unbelievably tempting - and soon a waiter was at our table ready for orders.  I plumped for Samosa Chaat (lamb) and, after a certain amount of umming and ahhing, lamb Jaipuri Punjabi Special.  Others ordered fish, chops, Acharis etc.  A Notorious Naan was ordered for us all too.  I was very excited.

The starters arrived and we dived in.  All seemed happy, but I found my Samosa Chaat very salty.  Apart from a slight sour tamarind flavour, salt was all I could taste!  A little deflated I hoped my Jaipuri Punjabi Special would be top draw...

The Starters

IT WAS...  Straight from the off, the curry nestling in the bottom of the massive and ace looking balti dish hit me with a wollop of outstanding full bodied flavour, and pretty garlicy - which is good in my book.  A little red in colour but thick and umptious and meaty.  I must admit I enjoyed every single mouthful and was soon mopping around the dish with chunks of Notorious Naan.

Jaipuri Punjabi Special

Ah yes, what of the Notorious Naan.  Well it is truly massive.  Four of us only ate about half of it!  However, it is far from just a gimmick.  It is a fantastic piece of bread.  It was fluffy in the middle, with the trade mark crispy charred bits on the edges.  And was nicely garlicy which, as we know, is brill.  It has to be seen to be believed but rest assured you will be getting a quality product.  I'd love to know how they cook it?

The Notorious Naan

So, Omar's was an excellent experience from start to finish - only the slightly over seasoned Samosa Chaat ever so slightly marred my meal.  Absolutely 10/10.

Omar's

The Bradford Curry Club

Location

Omar’s

46 Great Horton Road, 

Bradford,

West Yorkshire

BD7 1AL 

Tell:  01274 414 188

Web: http://www.omars.co.uk

Time

3^rd March 2012 @ ~17:30 

Attendees

Jaz, Francois, Gill, Rob, Jenny, Pete, Lilly, Dan, Deep, Kam, Manraj, Lynda, Izzy and John (me)

Pre-Curry Watering Holes

No pre curry drinking on this occasion.  Small children in tow, and an early sit down time kind of negated this much enjoyed ritual.  There’s always next month though.  For reference, Omar’s is located just below Bradford Uni, so is ideally located for all the local student bars, and also my favourite Weatherspoon’s - The Sir Titus Salt. 

Expectations

HHmmm...  Now What do I Fancy?

‘Yorkshire’s Biggest Naan’s’ is the claim, and I was hoping for a decent feed if nothing else.  I was aware that Omar’s had a good reputation, and was generally popular.  However, nagging at the back of my head was the idea that Omar’s might be pushing the ‘Biggest Naan’s’ thingy at the expense of quality.

The Reality

As with a lot of the recent Bradford Curry Club outings, things got off to a shaky start.  The initial plan was for some healthy eating and shisha smoking at Jumerah.  However, upon arrival at Jumerah we were presented with a closed restaurant, with no sign of life and no evidence of opening anytime soon!  I will monitor the situation.  Hopefully it’s not bitten the dust.

So yet again were had to resort to a Plan B.  A few worthy names were banned about, but I wanted somewhere new and proposed Omar’s.  We missed Omar’s last year and a necessary visit had been on the cards for a while.  Our car load of Curry lovers were in agreement, and a few frantic phone calls later ensured the rest of the brigade were redirected Omar’s.

Phew!!  All was going smoothly all things considering.  ‘Most’ arrived at Omar’s without hitch, with only the unfortunate few making there way up at Omar Khan’s by mistake, but ultimately catching up.

Omar’s is quite a nice place really – all lilac and mood lighting.  The petite and bijou restaurant was buoyantly busy when we arrived, and remained so during our stay, but it was not too much trouble for the staff to quickly rearrange a space in the corner for our group numbering fourteen.  Loads of poppadoms and pickles, and the menus were placed on the table before we’d even sorted ourselves out.  So it was nice to simply sit down, open the menu and start munching.

Seekh Kebab

The varied, now more common, cafesque menu offered a full range of curries, including some mouthwatering specials, along with some burger and pasta etc options to boot.  I also spotted the Notorious Naan – a simply ‘must have’ for the table to tear into.  One interesting section of the menu was titled Sizzling Kebabs on Naan!!  I must have died and gone to heaven surely?  However, these monstrous sounding kebabs were deemed too larger sounding to even share as a starter, so they will have to be saved for another day.

All the orders were taken efficiently by the pleasantly mannered member of staff, me opting for my preferred Lamb Seekh Kebab, and then following with a Paneer Karahi Special (Lamb - but could be ordered with chicken, keema, vege, etc.)

Lamb n Paneer

Due to the size of our group the food took a while to prepare – but nothing excessive – probably just me nursing my single designated driver beer!!  But soon enough my kebabs arrived, and some additional sauces were also provided.  The kebabs were very nice.  Nice bit of heat with tasty spices and herbs, with plenty of moisture and an agreeable charcoal/tandoor after taste.

The curries looked spectacular, all being served in large balti dishes.  My Lamb and paneer wasn’t exactly like what I would consider a traditional ‘Bradford Curry’, it was definitely lighter in colour than other lamb curries I’ve experienced around these parts.  In addition the curry was saucier and gloopier than others eaten.  The flavour was nice but was quite mild, both in the heat and other spices stakes, and was more reminiscent to my mind of a Curry Mile or Balti Triangle curry.  This ‘lighter’ aspect to the curry added a much fresher eating experience than some of the heavy stews served in the vicinity.

One Mighty Naan!

The Notorious Naan has to be seen to be believed – it’s massive!!  But not only that, it’s a good fresh and tasty piece of bread too.  It ate very well.  Although we ordered the garlic version, it didn’t blow your head off with garilciness – perhaps a reflection of the general subtlety of herb and spice use noted in the curry also. 

Drinks Policy and range

BYO.  Cost Cutter is just across the road so no problems if you arrive empty handed.  Bottles openers were offered by the staff.  Of course there is a full range of soft drink’s and lassi’s.

Highlights

The Notorious Naan has to be seen to be believed.  Its size isn’t its only note worthy point though - it’s also a very good naan.  The staff and general service is also worth a mention – no quibbles regarding four young children running round causing havoc.

Lowlights

No lowlights to mention.  However, for me, the actual curry wasn’t perhaps what I would consider classically ‘Bradfordian’, and was definitely lighter in flavour and gloopier, than the dark/dry/rich varieties we often see around Bradford.  My curry was maybe more reminiscent of ones I’ve eaten on my travels in Manchester or Birmingham say?  This is a good thing though if it’s what you’re looking for.

Me and Lady Di

The Damage

I was baby herding during the bill paying procedure – I always like to make myself scarce at such moments!!  I think we paid ~£15pp which, considering this included food for the babies is pretty reasonable.

Aftershock

Apart from leaving the restaurant looking like four little Tasmanian Devils had whirlwinded through, there was no problems.  Although an early doors Bradford Curry eating extravaganza, everyone opted to go there separate ways, and not go for further pints in the Sir Titus Salt.

Overall

I really enjoyed my Omar’s experience.  It was a good Club turn out, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and the service was excellent too, so top marks.