Bundobust - Now This Looks Interesting...

Bundobust - a new collaboration bar between The Sparrow Bier Cafe and Prashad.

It's a little bit of a shame that the love child of The Sparrow and Prashad is to be a Loiner but never mind. There aren't many details at the moment, but this place sounds like it is going to be great.  And if they can serve good beer, and simple and tasty food quickly, it is going to go down a storm in Leeds.

Watch this space.

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.

Going for a Curry...

Having recently received a bit of bad news, the perfect antidote was clearly to go for a Bradford Curry, and to include a few sherbet's en route.

With this in mind I recruited the long suffering Dad into the scheme, and off we ventured:

As with so many of my Bradford Curry eating adventures, they start here at Guiseley train station.
Only a 20 minute train journey to curry Nirvana.

First stop was the Sparrow Bier Cafe.
A fine cafe bar just behind Bradford Market there.
Lots of speciality beer including
local real ales as well as continental brews.
I had some Belgian loopy juice - La Chouffe!
They stock some nice wines too.

Next up the classic Fighting Cock.
Nestled down side streets, it's easy to walk by -
as did I for countless years -
but it's a place not to be missed.
Ask any local and I'm sure
they will be able to point you in the right direction.

Inside t'Cock is very pleasant, so don't be put off by it's perhaps
rather intimidating exterior.  A swift Chimay Blue was the order of the day.

Bradford is very photogenic too.   Here is a shot
of Lumb Lane Mills.  I can only imaging what these
places must have been like when they were in full swing?

The Barracks Tavern on Lumb Lane.  Not for the faint
hearted it must be said.  The smoking ban seems to be
more of a guide line here than a rule!



Finally to the Sweet Centre - this is after all a Curry Blog
not a drinking Blog!  Starters of lamb chops and fish pakora.
My lamb chops seemed a little soggy, as if microwaved
rather than tandoored?  Tasted good though with an
excellent and strong blend of spices.  Quite sharp on the
tongue as if marinated with plenty of citrusy juices.
Fish pakora was brilliant.  Soft flaky fish in a delicately
spiced batter.

Main courses left us feeling a little deflated.  My meat on the bone dish (see above) was just too hard core for me!
Grisly meat, bones and offal (!!yes there was a stray kidney in mine I'm sure of it) swimming in oil/ghee, was just not nice to eat.  I'm not normally too squeamish but on this occasion, it made me feel ill to eat it!  I think it was my bad dish
selection rather than a reflection on the Sweet Centre in general.  I have always enjoyed Sweet Centre curries.  This dish
may be authentic, for want of a better word, but, if so, then I fear I will have to stick firmly to my westernised curries
in the future!  Gutted!  Just when I needed the best curry in the world to cheer myself up I pick this one!

One final pint in t'Shouder helped somewhat to put behind
me the curry I'd just had.  However, my stomach had been
turned to such an extent that all I want ed to do was go home
and wallow in my own miseery!

Well, this trip to the Sweet Centre is one to put down to experience I feel.  Please don't be put off, and if you search my blog you will see I have raved about the retaurant on several occasions.  Just be careful of the meat on the bone is my advice.

John

Sheesh Mahal

Refurbished Exterior

Location

Sheesh Mahal

6 St. Thomass Road,

Bradford,

BD1 2RW

Tel: 01274 723 999

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheesh-Mahal-Restaurant/101728176557834

Time

11^th August 2012 @ ~21:00

Attendees

Lynda and John (me)

Pre-Curry Watering Holes

 

Tonight, apart from the odd boy racer parked on a side street… banging out distorted happy hardcore from a cheap car stereo… Bradford was a ghost town, and, therefore, the Sparrow Bier Café was a welcome oasis of civilization.  Chapeau to the Sparrow boys, who have pounced on the gap in the Bradford market, and are now providing a sophisticated watering hole to the more discerning Bradford punter. Having said that, although in an Aladdin’s Cave of artisan beers, we still opted for a bottle of the cheapest plonk?  No matter, I’m no connoisseur of alcohol – just like to get tipsy! 

Moving on, we went to the adjacent to the Sheesh Mahal New Beehive.  I’ve never wondered what ever happened to the Old Beehive… perhaps I should?  It’s the kind of place I kind of love, but only from a kind of few visits! It’s been mentioned in the past that it seems a little like a brothel!  Now, I’m not about to go down that road, but I see a fantastic old Yorkshire pub with an actual drinking corridor.  A rarely found these days Yorkshire tradition, so I understand. 

Expectations

My expectations couldn’t be higher.  My Glaswegian friend – Hector Curry Heute – is the man whose opinion I value greatly, and a man to look to when considering curry… literally anywhere… and he is a massive champion of Bradford Curry.  Basically, Sheesh Mahal is his fave – and has been for some time.  So, if Hector Curry Heute says it’s good… it’s good.

The Reality

Lynda considers the mixed grill

When we arrived, the restaurant was pretty busy, and was generally bustling.  Poppadom’s, mint sauce, and an excellently fiery lime pickle were plonked on our table with the menus.  Always a nice touch – something to nibble on whilst selecting ones curry.

Mixed grill – obviously, and the Lamb Methi were my choices.  Lynda went for the Lamb (on the bone) Balti.

In no time at all, our mountainous, sizzling, virtually frothing at the mouth starter arrived.  It had a good selection, which included lamb chops, chicken drumsticks, kebabs, tikka and fish masala.  The sizzler was excellent, with some seriously full flavours.

My Lamb Methi was quite literally Bradford on a Plate.  The thick curry was more or less solid meat, cubed small, with the thick masala clinging to it.  The curry did not ooze or move about on the plate.  No, it sat there in the middle of and white bowl, and left nothing but a brown streak as it steadily maneuvered into my mouth.  It was great.

The Lamb on the bone Balti also tasted great – perhaps slightly better - and again was heavy on the meat, and this time was laced with ginger.

The new face lifted restaurant is now very swish, with dark wood and leatherette.  The staff were also friendly and efficient.  All in all a very good meal.

Drinks Policy and range

Sheesh Mahal is totally dry.  But the New Beehive is adjacent, and there is no place better to enjoy a few pints.

Lamb Methi

Highlights

Although the mixed sizzler was very good, it was the Lamb Methi that was the highlight for me.  Typically Bradfordian in every way – dark, rich and dry, more like meat with a clinging smear of sauce!  If you looked up Bradford Curry in the dictionary, a picture of the Sheesh’s Lamb Methi would be the only description needed.  I also really liked Lynda’s Lamb Balti (on the bone).  Both dishes were top draw to me.

Lowlights

Lynda found her Lamb on the Bone Balti a touch oily, but I thought it was just an aspect of the dish, and did not detract from its wonderfulness in any way for me.  Basically it was a man’s curry!  But apart from that everything was amazing.

The Damage

About £12:50pp.  As with most places in Bradford, the Sheesh offered fantastic value for money.

Aftershock

With full tummies after the meal, we became rather lethargic, and jumped on a slightly earlier train home, and relieved the babysitter.

Overall

Well I can’t believe I have never visited the Sheesh Mahal before.  It is the kind of place I set my stall out to discover.   I wished I’d visited before the facelift, in order to be able to compare and contrast but never mind.  I will certainly be visiting the Sheesh more often from now on.

Punjab Sweet House & Grill Centre

Location 

Punjab Sweet House & Grill Centre,

122-126 Listerhills Rd,

Bradford,

BD7 1JR

Tell:
Get Directions

01274 720308 () ‎

Time

24^th March 2012 @ ~21:00

Attendees

(Rob, Gill), Jenny, Pete, Ian, Lara Lynda and John (me)

Pre-Curry Watering Holes

No children on this trip, so a proper pub-crawl - albeit short - had been engineered in to the start of this Bradford Curry eating trip. 

Inside the Sparrow

First up was the Sparrow Bier Café, on North Parade, and a very popular little beer drinking café-bar it was too.  Pretty cool with exotic beer advertising plaques on the wall, and little Formica tables and chairs.  Although specializing in beer, we started with a couple of bottle of wine – just to get the evening going you understand – so can’t really comment on the beer quality.  Basically, there were a number of speciality beers, including local ales, on draft, and also bottled continental types too.  It was noted as being, by a member of our party, “my new favourite place in Bradford for a drink” - high praise indeed and I’m sure it’ll be on the hit list for pre-curry drinks in the future.

Next was The Castle Hotel.  Here, a famous old Bradford drinking den was visited by us for the first time.  To be honest I’ve never really done much drinking in Bradford really – probably shows.  The Castle Hotel is a pretty bog standard ‘oldie worldy’ pub with a good selection of Real Ales.  I understand it to be popular with the CAMARA types.  I had a pint of something, which name escapes me, but was quite hoppy I recall.

Inside the Fighting Cock

The belly was rumbling now, but one final drink was to be taken at, from what I understand to be, the Bradford pub that towers above all other Bradford pubs – The Fighting Cock.  You see, again, I’ve never been.  I’ve been aware of its presence, and driven past and seen all the beer barrels out side but never stepped inside.  It certainly looks the business, and was expecting a real dark and dingy, small, spit and sawdust type of place.  How wrong I was.  It was full of trendy types sipping at their artisan real ales.  Surprisingly large inside, it was very reminiscing of Fanny’s in Shipley, which we visited a couple of months ago.  It is a Bradford institution and one not to be missed.  Dutch lager was my weapon of choice.  It was good, it was lager.

Another big plus point for the Fighting Cock is that it’s just around the corner from the Punjab Sweet House & Grill Centre.

Expectations

The Mixed Sizzling Starter

Punjab don’t seem to like to advertise, and don’t have a web site!!  Other than driving past on occasion, the Punjab has passed me by entirely.  However, word of mouth is a powerful thing, and once probing the enigma that is the Punjab Sweet House and Grill  Centre, it was clear that the establishment is held in high regard.  Therefore, I was hoping to find a hidden gem and something a little special off the beaten track.  Also, the aforementioned Fighting Cock was around the corner.

The Reality

The extended drinking time meant we arrived at the Punjab gone 9pm.  This was good because the tea time rush was starting to ease some what – when we passed on our way the ‘Cock it was heaving.

Atmospheric Shot of Punjab

The open kitchen was a nice to see and it was good to spend a few moments watching the chefs producing the fresh food with bursts of flames and bangs and clatters, and loading the tandoors with freshly rolled nanns.  The Punjab was looking promising.

Décor fell into the posh café style.  It was clean and presentable.  There is also an attached sweet centre, but this was closed by the time we left.  We’ll have to ensure an earlier eating time for our next visit.

Inside the Punjab

No complimentary poppadoms to munch on as we perused the menu, but these were ordered as a pre starter to our Special Mixed Grill.  We asked for the chicken wings to be swapped for more chicken tikka, which was not a problem; and the dish arrived spitting and sizzling on its red hot cast iron plinth.  All aspects of the dish (lamb chops, chicken tikka and kebabs) were wonderful – moist, succulent, full of flavour with spice that danced on the tongue and attacked every taste bud. 

Lamb Handi

The menu was full and varied as whole, but didn’t offer too many dish options beyond the standard fare seen all over Bradford.  However, the Lamb Handi (on the bone) jumped out at me as something worth trying.  I’m glad I did.  The dish was pomp and ceremony, and arrived bubbling away in a clay pot held aloft and heated by its own tea light fuelled holder - very grand and unique.  A new experience was about to be had I could tell.  As for the taste – it wasn’t all ‘talk and no trousers’ either – and the word rich doesn’t do it justice!!  I’m guessing all the marrow from the bones must have seeped out to produce a curry with depth of flavour far beyond the any I’ve sampled in this town… indeed the world.  The Handi was ultimate hedonistic decadence in curry form - quite simply gorgeous.

Drinks Policy and range

Punjab is strictly alcohol free.  Calibrate in the Fighting Cock – if that’s your bag – prior to your arrival, and enjoy the delights of tap water and lassi during your meal.

Another shot of the Lamb Handi

Highlights

Lots of highlights – basically, for me, just a great night out from start to finish.  The Sparrow and the ‘Cock got the evening rolling with good booze and chat in atmospheric environs, then onto the Punjab where one of the – no THE - most lavish and decadent curry I’ve every eaten was savored to the last.

Lowlights

Only having too much enjoyment!! The enjoyment levels were at such heights we missed the last train.  Luckily the Punjab was on hand to sort appropriate transport for our party.  Still, it was an unnecessary taxi fare.  NB – this is not a reflection of slow service or anything – just us sitting in the boozer too long!!

The Damage

I didn’t notice the bill come around the table – again!!  Sorry.  I’m getting good at this.

Aftershock

The richness of my curry had taken its toll to a certain extent, resulting in indigestion and a small amount of squiffy tumminess to following morning.  But our livers thank us for the late finish in the Punjab and straight into a taxi home. 

Overall

We really found our hidden gem, and Punjab really lived up to the ‘word of mouth’ hype I’d come across on the internet.  Miss it out at your peril.