Shimla Spice

What a nightmare, what an absolute nightmare!

Whoa whoa whoa, hold you horses, back up a minute there... 

Lets not get off on the wrong foot here.  Don't worry, I'm not eluding to Shimla Spice here - the mighty Shimla Spice by and large delivered... our nightmarish dining experience was the product of.... wait for it.... children! Ours!

Izzy tackles the Naan on a stick like a Pro

Kids in perpetual motion (toilet, window, toilet, window.... repeat!).  Unable to have a conversation - unable to even sit peacefully for more than 2mins!  Rice and popadoms everywhere*! KIDS!  AAaarrgh!

So a dining experience somewhat marred by our kin.  They aren't bad kids, just... just... easily bored and time consuming!  I guess like most kids - yet to discover sitting and chatting over a meal is a pleasurable experience?  In time I'm sure.  So, generally a difficult task to focus on the fodder and to take anything in alas, but I can still make a few observations:

Lahori Masala Fish

Firstly, Wow!  Shimla Spice seems so busy busy busy these days. A real buzzing atmosphere.  A big slap on the back is deserved for all the awards and associated drawing in of the crowds.  Even at 'doors' at 17:30, Shimla Spice was filling quickly! Thankfully we were accommodated, but I was worried for a minute that we were to be unlucky, and moved on!  I think a quick call and booking in the future might be a good idea.

Hot Hot HOT!

Popadoms arrived with the menus, which is always a nice touch, and the perusal and decision making in earnest commenced.  I loved the Achari I had on my last visit, but I was determined to have something new, so Lahori Fish Masala and Lamb Peshwari with a garlic naan were my selection.

Now, I'm not overly full of bravado normally, but when my mate Fran asked for his dish 'really hot', I foolishly followed suit in a 'not to be out done' kind of way and also ordered hot also!  More on that in a minute.

Firstly, the Lahori Masala Fish.  Chuncky and tasty fish coated in a very subtle blend of coarsely ground spices.  Quite delicious.

Now, the Lamb Peshwari (hot!).  My 'Big Man', 'make it hot', 'I can take anything' attitude came back to to bite me on the bum I'm afraid!  Boy it was hot!  Really slipped up, and my silly request slightly spoilt a wonderful curry. However, before I burnt my mouth, I ascertained I'd been served another excellent Shimla Spice curry.  Deeply dark and rich, with sweet and sour tones, and high quota of melt in the mouth lamb. The sauce was thickened with ground almonds and pistachios and made for a hearty and indulgent curry - very decadent if not the most visually appealing!

My mouth was on fire by the end!  Such an idiot I am and such a shame!  I will return to the Lamb Peshwari without fail, but stick to my favoured middle of the road spicing - lesson well and truly learnt!

The Garlic Naan on a stick was high quality, and help a little to quench the fire in my mouth.  Went down well with Izzy who loved reaching up and tearing great chunks off.  A large Naan could be quite daunting to a small 3yr old - but she wasn't perturbed and attacked the bread with gusto.

I understand there to have been a minor confusion with one of the orders and one of our party had to remind the waiter she was still waiting for her food but overall top marks 10/10 yet again for for Shimla Spice.  Great place.

*Sorry for leaving a mess chaps - we will leave a healthy tip next time we are in.

Shimla Spice - English Curry Awards 2013

Congratulations to the mighty Shimla Spice for recently landing yet another set of awards.  This time at the prestigious English Curry Awards 2013.  But when will they stop?  There can't be many more awards left!

Post by Shimla Spice Restaurants Fan Page.

Announced as competition finalists in mid August, Shimla Spice went on to beat stiff competition and win not only the Best Restaurant in Yorkshire 2013 category, but also the Best Restaurant in England 2013 category too!  It is, of course, a great achievement for Shimla Spice, and an excellent reward for a lot of hard work but, thinking of the bigger picture, how fantastic is it for the Bradford area itself?  It says a lot about the quality of the food available in the city and surrounding area.  Shimla Spice have done themselves and the Bradford - The Curry Capital of Britain - proud.

So a massive well done Shimla Spice.  I am looking forward to my next visits to this award winning restaurant, and hope experiences such as these will issue forth... Bring it on!

The Mighty Shimla Spice - My Birthday Treat

WWwwwoooohhhhhooooo a Birthday curry - and WWwwwoooohhhhhooooo the mighty Shimla Spice.

Popadom Frenzy!

I'm not sure why that, up to the mentioned above Birthday curry, we'd only ever been to Shimal Spice once! When we visited it before, as the now disbanded Bradford Curry Club, we had a great evening and we raved about the food.  In addition, Shimla Spice is fairly close to us in Guiseley, and it wins lots and lots of awards.  It's total madness!

Birthday Boy with a Naan on a Stick

Anyway, enough already, we've finally made it back, and from what we experienced we certainly shan't be leaving it quite so long next time I can promise you.  From the offset, spirits were high - it was my Birthday* - I had just returned from a stonking ride at the Great Manchester Cycle, and was buzzing.  A hearty refuel was desperately needed - something I was sure Shimla Spice would be able to offer.  I had a few people joining me too, and the whole episode was rather reminiscent of the old Bradford Curry Club days - oh how I miss it.

So on to the food. But, before we get there even, one of my fave little touches, at any restaurant for that matter, is poppadoms and pickles delivered immediately to the table.  Shimla Spice delivered and the appetite was well and truly whetted by the general nibbling.  Also, Shimla Spice is BYO - happy days.  Top marks so far.

For starters it had to be the epic Mixed Grill.  It was well received by all who sampled it.  A piled high sizzling platter stuffed with the usual chops, kebabs, chicken tikka, and fish.  All this was intertwined with a mass of tangled sweet onions.  Excellent.  Even my daughter, who's usual line of "I don't like curry", commented on the Grill with a "that fish was lovely!"  Great stuff.

Lamb Achari

My main was Lamb Achari.  This again was brilliant. It managed to be both nicely hot and lip smackingly sour.  It attacked my head straight from the first mouth full, and sent me into a spin of huffing and puffing a little with the heat and facial contortions from the sourness.  Amazing!  Although my fellow dinners must have wondered what was going on!  It was also high quality with good and plentiful meat and minimal oil.  The Achari was off the Specials Menu, and was also tagged with 'Award Winning Dish', so guess it should have been something special... It was.

After all this I was in heaven, and had had a wonderful Birthday*

*Well Birthday Eve to be completely honest!

Shimal Spice, Shipley 19/02/2011

Attendees: Caz, Simon, Jenny, Pete, Lynda and me

Simple review for this one…… I think Shimla Spice might be my new favorite curry house. Bish Bosh.


There’s not really much else to say – I couldn’t really fault my experience, aided by the booze prior to the visit and the BYO policy, and Shimla has restored my faith in the Bradford curry scene. My faith was waning slightly, after a recent succession of average curries and poor service.


I feel I should elaborate slightly though for the benefit of others…… in fact I won’t bother – just go when you get the chance – I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. The sizzler starter was piled high with meat, a little fish, and sweet onions and my mixed special kahari type main was sumptuous to the point that I felt I could’ve kept eating all night. I polished the lot off and was begging for more!!! Not small portions either just yummy.


To be overly fussy, it could be argued that Shimla is just another Akbars clone, with pink and blue neon lights, lots glass and lots of chrome – but who cares, it’s a formula that clearly works and is popular. The restaurant was buzzing on our arrival and all night long. Oh and the menu was a little long winded. Loads of choice but I got bored reading it!!!


The one thing that was a little annoying was what seemed like constant playing of Happy Birthday. Once or twice is fair enough but this seemed almost constant. I feel the Shipley locals may have been pulling fast ones – I cannot believe there to be so many birthdays on one day???


I should restrain my excitement a little perhaps, and not get carried away with myself, until further research has been carried out that is. Only then shall Shimal Spice (rightly??) take its place as one of the top dog Bradford curry joints.

John