Omar Khan’s Wine Bar and Indian Restaurant - Skipton

Location

Omar Khan’s,

Keighley Road

Skipton

West Yorkshire

BD23 2TA

Tel: 01756 460080 

http://www.omarkhans.co.uk/index.asp

Time

29^th July 2012 @ ~17:00

Attendees

Jenny, Lilly, Dan Dan, Ian, Lara, Lynda, Izzy and John (me)

Expectations

I was very excited about visiting the new Omar Khan’s in Skipton.  The ‘other’ Omar Khan’s (in Bradford) was the first restaurant we visited as the Bradford Curry Club – so is where it all started really.  That inaugural Curry Club meet seems a very very long time ago, and much curry has flowed beneath the bridge since then.  I recall an excellent night out – so, the question is, will the new Skipton branch live up to the memories?  Different to Bradford, Skipton also offered the option of al fresco dining and a children’s adventure playground.  But wait, there’s yet more - I’d spotted a special offer of Free Mixed Sizzler starter, for dinners who book tables, through the month August – I was straight on the phone.  Everything was all stacking up nicely.

The Reality

The weather was sunny, but a little changeable, and breezy, so the joy of outside dining was pretty much out of the question.  The sun would, however, play havoc as it streamed through the large glass windows to the front of the very trendy restaurant – we baked!  It didn’t stop us enjoying the wonderful hospitality and brilliant food served up by Omar Khan’s.

After the initial poppadom’s and pickle’s – which were, as is so often the case, good and fresh – the special offer complimentary Mixed Sizzler’s arrived.  Now, in my experience, as seems to be quite often the case, ‘special offer’ fare can, sometimes, be found to be, somewhat lacking in both quality and/or volume – not so with an Omar Khan’s special offer.  No Sirrreee!

What arrived was what I assume to the full blown Mixed Sizzler as per the menu – and for 6 people!  It was huge and split between three sizzling platters – the full Monty basically!  There were onion bhajee, lamb and chicken kebabs and stacks of chicken tikka.  All super. The tikka was wonderfully tasty and moist, and the having both lamb and chicken kebabs offered a contrast I’ve not come across often.  Both kebabs were excellently seasoned, but the lamb had the edge for me.  The onion bhajee were also good, but I didn’t think they were quite up the standard of my Bradford faves.

Now stuffed, we had the prospect of shoe horning our mains in.  The waiter must have seen our concern, and did ask if we’d like to wait a few minutes before the mains.  We took him up on his offer.  If nothing else it gave time for the little ones to run off steam for five minutes in the adventure playground.  I didn’t hear any complaints from the tiny ones, and from what I could gather it was a triumph.

And now to the mains - in short Tava Gosht Lahori.  Yes yes yes!  From menu - ‘Tender morsels of lean Lamb Tikka tossed over an iron skillet with exotic Herbs and Spices. Crushed Garlic, Juliennes of Ginger masked in a light Sauce of Fresh Tomatoes, Spring Onion & Peppers’.  It was a brill dish.  The abundant chunks of lamb were beautifully tender – melt in the mouth – and had been tikka’ed and charred.  The minimal sauce had great flavor, and included a slight sweet element, which was most welcome - maybe from the bell peppers?  Around the table, it appeared the Butter chicken was well received too – especially by the young ‘uns

All the mains were offered in mild/medium/hot – including the Butter Chicken, so plenty of scope to personalise ones dish.  I stuck middle of the road, and my dish was bob on for me.

My Garlic Naan was getting just on the wrong side of crispy for me, but was daubed with a good smear of sliced garlic, and satisfied my – what seem like constant these days - garlic cravings.

Drinks Policy and range

It’s called Omar Khan’s Wine Bar and Indian Restaurant… You do the Math!

Highlights

There were plenty.  The special offer of a huge free sizzler – for a Yorkshire man - is difficult to see beyond… well, it was free!  However, the real star was the Tava Gosht Lahori.  Meaty and tasty, it was an excellent dish.  Also, the midday opening times, the option of al fresco dining, and adventure playground, were all real bonuses for families.

Lowlights

There was nothing moan about.

The Damage

Well… with the ~£30s worth of special offer complimentary sizzler, it was a super reasonable ~£12.50pp.  In reality, all our mains – which were chosen generally off the Specials sections, were all around £9, so Omar Khans is up there cost wise.  However, value for money it certainly was – excellent.

Aftershock

Absolutely stuffed to the gills, it was just a case of nodding off on the settee once home.

Overall 

It was a truly excellent dining experience.  Very swish environs, family friendly, and excellent food, makes Omar Khan’s top draw.  Omar Khan’s in Skipton may offer THE best family Bradford Curry eating opportunity I have come across.

Kerala Café

Please make sure you try Kerala Café – I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.  I hope you won’t be disappointed rather?

Kerala café is a proper little gem on the edge of Bradford – probably Shipley really.  They are succeeding in carving out a nice little niche, and properly deserve a visit.

It’s a nice friendly environment, and an opportunity for the Bradfordian to sample an alternative to the norm of thick, dark, rich, often heavy, ghee’d up to the max, Kashmiri curries… oh and naans on sticks, let’s not forget the naans on sticks...  Ok, ok, ok… Kerala Café, by their own admission, appreciate that for many dyed in the wool Bradford Curry eating folks, the likes of dosa’s, vada’s, fish fry’s, etc. will mean nothing, and sometimes these dinners leave ultimately a little disappointed.  More fool them - just open your eyes please Bradford Curry lovers.

On our recent visit, banners hung in the café window declaring the offer of £5 lunch.  As intrigued as I was, I’d already set my heart on a dosa, but, luckily, having an easily bullied Grandpa’ with us, meant the lunch special wasn’t going to go un-sampled.

Grandpa’ is the ‘dye in the wool Bradford ‘type’ (he’s from Accrington really)’ that I alluded to above, and struggles with the prospect of something new, but did eventually relish the challenge and I think he was happy.  The £5 lunch special comprised a totally vegetarian meal with a big bowl of rice, chapatti and poppadum, with a small chickpea dish, and pickles of onion, carrot and something sour and pretty hot.  There was also a side dish of samba (like a staple vege curry), and also a sweet vermicelli dish.  There were loads of different flavours going on basically.  It was the kind of meal you see on the Travel Channel, served on a pressed steel tray.

All elements worked in harmony, and gave a full on flavour hit.  I will be tempted for next time.  

I thoroughly enjoyed my dosa – a rarely seen dish in Bradford.  It is one of my favourite dishes.  I went vege also, and my beautiful crispy on one side and soft of the other, slightly sour tasting dosa, was stuffed to the gills with potato masala.  The potato was well flavoured and seasoned but was not blow your head off hot.  

Izzy tried the Parippu Vada this time and loved them.  To my palate they were far tastier that the Uzhunnu vada sampled last time.  I’m now a vada convert and would order again.

The front of house guy was helpful and was happy to share appropriate dosa eating etiquete on request.  We were chatting, and he was about to tell us about the different types of Indian food, when the café suddenly started to fill.  He had to curtail his story, but we will look forward to hearing the full tale on our return.

Pakeezah Supermarket and Café

Samosa Chaat in the fore ground

A pending trip north to Glasgow, to visit Bradford Curry loving family, offered the perfect opportunity to revisit the recently discovered Pakeezah Supermarket and Cafe, not only to pick some Food2Go, but also have a spot of dinner.

Our usual early eating time normally results in us being the first dinners in whatever establishment we are visiting on that day.  Today was no different, and we had the pick of the booths.  However, it didn’t take long for the other booths to fill – one with about eight people crammed in – and other tables were filling too.  Café Pakeezah is, rightly so, very popular.

Izzy enjoying her Chicken Pakora

The friendly and enthusiastic waiter did a few chips for Izzy – although not on the menu I don’t think (??) – and paired them with chicken pakora, and Heinz red sauce!  She loved it - much to my snobby displeasure.  She should be taking after her Dad and eating curry?  Surely by 2yrs, a Vindaloo and a family garlic naan should be on her menu?  But one happy toddler equals one happy Dad, so hats off to Pakeezah for understanding her needs and taking pity on her.   I have been feeling a little sorry for her over recent weeks to be honest - and wondering about my own Fathering techniques when purposely ignoring “Izzy no like curry” whimpering’s from the back seat, as we race into Bradford!  She’ll learn… She has to!

I chose the simply wonderful Samosa Chaat again – I couldn’t resist - and it was just as good as the other week.  It has warm and cold elements, and also the quite spicy temperament, which is partially cooled by the yoghurt, but then finished with the sour tamarind.  It leaves no taste bud unturned.  Excellent.

We also tried the Lamb Seek, which were ace too.  The two meaty kebabs were formed with more coarsely ground onions and had plenty of texture.  They were flavorsome too, and fresh.  The onion bhaji were also good but, for my tastes, were a little off the pace compared to my favored bhaji haunts.  Grampa' loved them though.

Prepped for the trip north

Following our successful café trip, we visited the Food2Go counter to collect the weekends curry.  It's difficult to shop once tummies are full, but I managed… Somehow… I don’t know how… but I did… It was hard.  Four mains:  Potato and Spinach, Lamb and Spinach, Chicken Balti and Chicken Tikka Garlic, along with some chapatis, and some kheer (rice pudding), and a very generous freebie of Vermicelli Pudding (official name unknown?).  The curries travelled well to Glasgow, and were consumed at various times over the weekend, and were very good.  They were perhaps a little oily in places, and there was a little bit of a burnt garlic taste from the Chicken Tikka Garlic dish, but otherwise all were brill.  They had proper Bradford taste, which was very welcoming after ~4hrs of driving and were devoured with much endeavour.  The rice and Vermicelli puddings were excellent too.  Not too sweet, and subtly spiced with cardamom.

Regular readers will know I love Glasgow curry, and curries where ever I go, but I consider Bradford to be the best, and the option to easily take some with me – where ever I go – is quite appealing.

The 3 Singhs

The Gold at the end of the Rainbow

Location

The 3 Singhs Restaurant

254 Sticker Lane,

Bradford,

BD4 8RN

Tel: 01274 68 8799

http://www.3singhs.com/

Time

30th June 2012 @ ~20:00

Attendees

Deep, Kam, Rob, Gill, Jenny, Pete, Francois, Jaz, Lynda and John (me)

Flat bottomed Kwak glass

Pre Curry Watering Holes

A flying trip straight the Sparrow Bier Café, on North Parade, was all that was mustered on our latest Bradford Curry eating trip to The 3 Singhs.  A quick bottle of wine was downed, followed by a taxi up to The 3 Singhs.  A tip off, from a fellow member, had suggested we book a table at the 3 Singhs, as it can get quite busy, so we were limited somewhat on town centre time.  Besides, it was understood from the web site, that The 3 Singhs had an extensive bar area, so was not as crucial as on other trips.

 

Expectations

I’d heard lots of good things about The 3 Singhs, including: ‘best place in Bradford’ and ‘it’s the only place I go’.  Therefore, it looked promising and I had high spirits.  Besides, it was my Birthday eve, and it was going to take a lot to dampen my enthusiasm.  However, to be honest, in my heart of hearts, I was expecting without doubt top quality food but, with a perhaps slightly middle of the road aspect.

The Reality

A Clockwork Curry

A quality, large and comfy bar area, with large sofa’s greeted us upon arrival.  The bar, and restaurant for that matter, where tastefully decorated with light cream coloured walls, with dark wood and brown leather, and large windows.  It all gave a pleasing environment to sit and eat and drink.  Also, although very busy, the diners were not crammed in either.

Mixed Grill

Due to having the foresight to book, our table was all ready to go and, after a quick drink in the bar, we were escorted to our table.  We were not harried or rushed to take our seat, and this aided in the relaxing feeling to the restaurant.

With it being my Birthday eve I fancied pushing the boat out and experiencing something new and interesting.  A peruse of the menu however, suggested otherwise, when my expectations of the suspected user friendly menu came to fruition.  However, the smells and sounds permeating the restaurant were enough to get me excited and, in addition to the mixed grill, the Fish Karahi jumped out at me.  These were preceded by group popadons and pickles, which offered a standard but perfectly acceptable selection, and were crisp, fresh and tangy – perfect for whetting the appetite.

The mixed grill offered a thoroughly high standard of spicy chicken tikka, BBQy kebabs and verging on perfect lamb chops.  It was a fantastic but very meaty selection.  The addition of a bahji or some fish - although may ultimately cheapen the dish - might add some lighter morsels.  Having said that, it was all certainly top draw and my above observations are not meant as criticisms.  The mixed grill was ultimately as good as you’ll get.

Fish Karahi

Moving on to my main – the fish karahi – it was also very good.  A rather lighter option in both taste and heat was presented compared to what I would normally select.  An ample quantity of fish fillet was offered in a tomato rich sauce.  Now, it was an excellent dish but I’m not sure it was quite for me.  The curry was pretty mild in manor with the fish not giving the full bodied favour I would normally go for.  I did try the Mrs’s lamb and spinach and that ticked more of my Bradfordian taste bud boxes.  So although my fish karahi was an excellent dish, if you like that sort of thing, I think I would choose something else next time – just personal taste.

My stuffed naan was different story.  Well yummy.  It was very very filling though, what with a healthy filling of mash, and then buttered and sprinkled with coriander, it made for a hearty side.

Drinks Policy and range

Well stocked and large bar area was a welcomed addition.  I guess because The 3 Singhs is quite a way out of town then the bar area is a good idea.  It gives you somewhere to sit and meet etc.  Perhaps strangely, but only continental beers were on draught, with Indian beers available in bottles only. 

Birthday Boy

Highlights

The 3 Singhs was a great evening out.  Food wise it had to be the mixed grill for me.  Spicy chicken and bbqy kebabs were brill.

Lowlights

None – as mentioned above we had a fab night out.  Thanks.  If I was to be critical though, for me, a seasoned Bradford Curry eater, the menu was a little ‘Radio Friendly Unit Shifter’, but it clearly works, and the packed restaurant is testament to that.

 

The Damage

It was my Birthday… Birthday boys don’t need to worry about such things.  I understand it came to about £25pp inc beer.  So The 3 Singhs was similarly priced to other restaurants in the area of a similar ilk.

Aftershock

A full evening at The 3 Singhs was all that occurred.  The very full tummies I think would’ve put paid to any further partying!  I’m in my forties now, so always aiming for my bed post curry.

Overall

I think I speak for all when I say The 3 Singhs was very good from start to finish.  The bar, the staff, the service, the ambience and the food were all excellent.  However, a hidden gem, the Holy Grail, it is perhaps not – not in my eyes any road.  We will definitely return on our travels - I need the mixed grill and stuffed naan again, and need to explore the mains further.

The Kashmir - Izzy and Me Do t’Kash

"You will learn to like curry Izzy"

Currently I’m struggling to get as much Bradford Curry in as I’d like.  The perfect window of opportunity I have managed to engineer myself over the last few months (Thursday househusband day) has bitten the dust to a certain extent!  My beautiful 2yr old daughter, who I thought was going to carry on in her fathers footsteps, has suddenly started declaring “Izzy no like curry… ‘addy like curry… Izzy no like.”  Aaaarrrgghh!

Anyway, after a couple of Thursday's worth of househusbandry, with nothing but beans on toast for lunch, I’d had enough, and bundled Izzy into the car and sped to Bradford.

After much deliberation en-route, The Kashmir was the opted for establishment.  No fuss, bish bash bosh dinning, and cracking fish pakora for the Iz.  It is also part of my personal ‘Holy Trinity’ of The Kash, International and Karachi, and, in addition, I am trying to monitor the Kashmir’s apparent return to form - so seemed logical.

Fish Pakora

The Kashmir didn’t disappoint.  Initially quiet, we were offered menus, but there was no need, and I ordered straight away.  Within minutes fish pakora were presented, and were indeed as good (the best?) as always.  Chunky, flaky fish, in a light pleasantly spiced batter – a must try I reckon.

Lamb Rogan Josh and Kashmiri Naan

For the main curry, I chose Lamb Rogan Josh.  I’ve been in a Lamb and Spinach rut of late, so it was nice for a change.  The Kashmir’s Rogan Josh has always been a strong dish, and the crispy bell peppers add a real zing.  A high meat quota, diced small and in a thick sauce – it is Bradford personified.  The dish was a touch oily, but nothing excessive.

I’ve nothing to say about the best naan in Bradford - the Kashmiri Naan - except OOooo ERRrrr.

The Kashmir is still maintaining it’s current high standards.

Aagrah Event Catering

Aagrah has about 15 restaurants spread across Yorkshire.  It not only specialises in great cooking but does corporate type stuff, and also has an Events Catering Division.  It was this aspect of the Aagrah empire we were to sample recently.  This opportunity was going to present some interesting questions with respect to the balance between providing quality food, and enough menu choice to the masses.

The Event Catering was sampled at a Bollywood themed fund raising do I was lucky enough to be invited to, at the Clarke Foley Center in Ilkley. The do was organised by the family of an esteemed member of the Bradford Curry Club, and featured Indian dancing demonstrations, raffle, quiz etc, but for me the main attraction to the event was the the food supplied by Aagrah's Event Catering division.

The format was similar to some restaurant buffets with starters - which included chicken tikka, samosa's and pakoras - delivered to your table and main courses presented buffet style in large self service urns.

The fair was pretty good for this kind of mass catering type thing.  All kind of middle of the road, but high quality and tasty non the less.  Ideal really.  The starters had become a little tepid and flaccid, suggesting they had been kept warm for some time, but tasty enough all the same.  For me the Lamb Achari was the stand out dish.  Very meaty with the slightly sour taste from the added pickle was excellent.  It is a dish that I would likely order in the future in the restaurant.

I'm not a big fan of this style of dining to be honest - ie buffets.  I think it's been mentioned on this blog before I'm sure?  However, I thought Aagrah did an alright job.  It's difficult to pitch the food right for everyone I know, and I think ultimately it's this 'middle of the road' aspect that is just a little hum drum and lacking in sparkly that you get from a fresh sizzling spitting curry.  If I was to ever have the opportunity to organise such and event I would consider Aagrah.

New Akbar's

Looks like a new Akbar's is on the way. Spotted the sign across the shop front of the old jumerah!

That'll three Akbar's on Leeds Road! You can't have too many Akbar's I suppose?

Café Pakeezah

Supermarket cafeterias are not the sort of places I visit very often when in search of gastronomic experiences.  Sausage, chips and beans, egg and water cress sandwich’s and 3week old slices of lemon meringue pie are not my idea of yummy fodder.

However, Pakeezah, who run a brace of Asian supermarkets in Bradford, do things a little differently with their Café Pakeezah concept.

The branch off Thornton Road is essentially like every other supermarket… it sells stuff stacked up on shelves!  However, it’s when you venture down the Food2Go and the café area that things start to get interesting.   You are greeted with a supermarketesque deli/curry counter – but massive - where all and sundry can be viewed for you pleasure, including all the curries, starters and sweets.  It’s a curry lover’s heaven.

From here you can simply choose your curry and take it away, or opt to dine in the café.  It’s now thing’s take a rather splendid turn.  Because once in the café area, with it’s trendy high sided booths, it is difficult to remember that you’re in a supermarket at all.  It’s all proper, with menus and waiters, etc.  No sliding a plastic tray’s here.

Izzy and me order samosa Chaat, Lamb and Spinach (although we were served Chicken and Spinach??) and a garlic Naan.

I wasn’t sure what to expect – probably just quickly micro waved food in a bowl.  But oh no, proper sizzling hot curry in a balti dish and fresh naan.  The curry was excellent and top end restaurant standard easily, and all for £4.50!  £3.95 to take away or ~£50 for 60 protions!!  Yes you can buy you curry from Pakeezah in portions of 60!).  The naan was up there with the best too – very fresh and garlicy.  However, it was the samosa chaat that really struck a chord with me.  I spotted it advertised on a poster in the window – and not every having tried it before I thought it’d be good.  It looked yoghurty too so thought it would be good for Izzy.  The dish came with two warm, stuffed to the gills, tasty meat somosas, smothered in what I assume was the chaat.  The chaat, from what I could tell, comprised chickpea and potato curry, yoghurt and was topped with tamarind sauce, garam masala and fresh chilli’s!!  Please excuse my ignorance if this isn't correct.  As it turned out it wasn’t for Izzy either, but I loved it.  It was the kind of sweet/sour/hot/cold combo that attacks all your taste buds – it was also pretty darn hot (spicy). All for the bargain price of £3.95 (£2.95 take out), and I’ll definitely re visit soon for more.

Chicken and Spinach

Samosa Chaat

Café Pakeezah is definitely worth going out of your way for I reckon – not just a supermarket café, oh no.

Kerala Cafe

Location

139-141,

Bradford Road,

BD18 3TB,

United Kingdom.

Tell:  01274 595 367

Web:  http://www.kerala-cafe.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150504294118814.394464.705533813&type=3#!/keralacafeuk

Good pickles including carrot and ginger ones

Time

21^st April 2012 @ ~17:30

Attendees

Gemma, Noel, Jake, Gill, Rob, Jenny, Pete, Lilly, Dan, Lynda, Izzy and John (me)

Expectations

As always… pretty high.  The amount of research I do pre going to curry restaurants always means my mouth is watering days before visiting.  My research flagged up that Kerala was going to be something completely different to anything else anyone can savor in Bradford… Southern Indian Food.

The Reality

On first inspection of the menu it was immediately obvious we were out of our Bradfordian comfort zone, with a board of fare stuffed full of new to us dishes.  On further perusal, and reading of the descriptions more carefully, some familiarity could be gleaned.  The bread section is a perfect example… no chapattis, naans, etc, but descriptions revealed the breads on offer were ‘like chapttis’, ‘like naan’.

Vada's with coconut dip

So on to starters. After poppadom’s that were served with a good selection of pickles, which included a ginger and carrot pickle – excellent - I chose vada’s.  I’ve not had vada’s before but remembered the Hairy Bikers once cooking them on the telly, and understood them to be essentially a kind of deep fried chickpea doughnut street food type of thingy??  My vada’s were served with a coconut dip and, to be honest, I didn’t really like them – they seemed a little bland?  Now, before I go further, I have no vada experience, so can’t really comment.  They were well cooked and had a nice chewy dense texture, but perhaps needed a dip with a little bit more oomph?  It’s all down to taste at the end of the day I suppose?  Other options such as fish and chicken fries were also ordered, and were well received.

The Dosa's are as big as they look!

My main of Lamb Masala Dosa, although slightly collapsed by the time it arrived, was excellent.  It was massive, and heartily stuffed with a mild and very tasty lamb and potato masala.  A thin lentil soup/dip/sauce was served on the side.  I’ve had dosa’s before and love the concept.  Kerala Café’s dosa was no exception and I loved it all.  A dosa is traditionally made from a slightly fermented batter, and has a slightly sour taste, and is nice and crispy.  A much lighter option compared to Bradford’s usual massive naans etc.  I don’t know the technique for eating but I just dive in!!  Pour the sauce over the whole lot and go for it.  A dosa is an excellent experience if you’ve never had one.

The dinning environment is good café style.  It is basic, with no bells and whistles, but clean and tidy.  There was a lot of glass to the front of the café, and it was a sunny day, so was pretty hot – just like Kerala I guess?  I think twelve of us turning up unannounced slightly startled the staff, and there were some gaps in the courses, but as a whole they managed a sterling job so hats off.

Cool cafe interior

Drinks Policy and range

BYO.  Come prepped if alcohol is to be taken.  No ‘offies’ in the locale that I spotted.  Water, pop and some very nice fruit juices are available off the menu.

Highlights

I do love a Dosa – and this was it for me.  Also, the Lamb Chettinadu was outstanding.  “The best curry I had in a long time” - was the comment from one of the more ‘hard to please’ BCC members.  ‘Nough said really.

Lowlights

Vada’s – just didn’t get them at all??  Sorry.  To be honest, I have no point of reference, but just didn’t really taste of anything?  Having said that, the under two’s loved them – reason enough for me to love them I suppose maybe?  HHmmm?  The jury is out.

The Damage

A reasonable ~£15pp, as per the norm.  Good food for good money.

Overall

Kerala Café is a little out the way, but is definitely worth a visit for, not only the ‘something completely different’ aspect, but for a darn good curry too, and is also open at lunch time.

International Yet Again

I managed to squeeze a quick trip to the International the other day.

Strangely I was the only diner on this occasion?  Although I did visit mid-afternoon, so may be just a funny time.

Always top notch, I was soon breaking into my complimentary poppadom and perusing the menu deciding what to treat myself this time… Garlic Chili Chicken jumped out at me.

The dish did exactly what it said on the tin.  It was strong in garlic and also offered sufficient heat to let you know you were being spoken to!!  It was simply great.

This was yet another fantastic dish and overall experience from the International.

Akbar’s The Café Quickie – Excellent Service.

AAAarrrrggghhhhh!!!!

After the recent very successful Bradford Curry eating outing to Akbar’s Café, we didn’t need much persuasion to revisit on the spur of the moment when the opportunity arose the other week.

Again, even at noon, the restaurant was already buzzing.  I ordered the Lamb and Spiniach Handi again, and a naan… again, and fish masala for Izzy… hhmm… again!!  And why not – it was lovely last time.   Big Tone ordered a biryani.

Little tear away still treated to an ice cream

Although it was busy, we were rather alarmed to be told by the waiter that there would be 20 to 30 minute wait for our food!!  Probably the biryani we thought, and set too trying to entertain a short on patience and getting hungry 2 year old toddler.  To Akbar’s credit, they must have seen we were struggling somewhat with Izzy, as her patience wore thing, and the food must have been pushed through the kitchen in double time.  Our meals arrived in a fraction of the stated time.

What joy – a settled 2yr old, happy with her fish, and happy Dad with his beautiful Lamb and Spinach Handi, that was  wonderfully rich, meaty, and irony from the spinach.  Oh and a more than happy Grandpa with his biryani.  Quality food, with no evidence of corner cutting to get everything out to us quickly, is deserving of merit. 

Yet another top draw Akbar’s experience.