Village Curry House, Glasgow

Peshwari Chops

WHIZ! BANG! WALLOP!!!  WOW... what a curry!  The Village Curry Houses Peshwari Chops was a stonker.  Four sizeable, meaty and melt in the mouth bbqed/tandored lamb chops, swimming in a quite loose, and slightly oily gravy.  The flavours were immense.  Really rather citrusy sour, and a fair old amount of heat!  I was glad I reined in the bravado and erred on the side of caution with 'medium strength' when asked. Also, rich, full bodied and well seasoned, and presented with match sticks of fresh ginger on top to add a real zing.  I'm pretty sure there may have been some sultanas or something lurking in the bottom of the dish - some little morsels of sweetness were experienced any way.  It was a dish quite different to what we get here in Bradford, and one I will remember for quite a while, and keep me itching for more frequent Glasgow trips.

Frequent readers of the Bradford Curry Blog will probably have realised I often visit Glasgow to see family. After many years eating curry up there (not always blogged), it has become easy to see why both Glasgow and Bradford have swapped Curry Capital honours on a number of occasions recently.  Glasgow as a whole does serve up excellent fare.  This was to be my first visit to the Village Curry House, and first Glasgow curry with the Glaswegian Legend Hector Curry-Heute*.  How better to enjoy your first Village curry than with family and the Curry Master?

We ride so we can eat more curry

Just gone 13:00 and Win, Ben, Lynda and me are studying Lunch Special Menus which were on the tables... in Hector walks.  Looking a little puzzled - as were we - at this stripped down menu, it was clear this was not going to sate the Master Hector!  A quick chat to the waiter soon saw reinstatement of the full menu.  It is handy having friends in high places that's for sure.

Feeling much happier now, I could now see the Peshwari Chops dish I had set my heart on.  Hector spoke highly of the Lamb Desi Korma and said "well someone should get it."  Lynda took on the challenge.  Ben and Win still went with Lunch Specials.  Pakoras were ordered for starters too in various guises.  Izzy, bless here, stuck to her plate of chips and chicken nuggets, but did adorn it initially with a poppadom! And Hector the Achari Gosht - Desi Style - with Aloo Paratha.  Desi style is essentially turbo charged!

The Pakoras were dispatched without drama - I noted the fish was rater splendid.  Then the mains.  My Peshwari Chops were astonishing - as already discussed.  The Recommended Lamb Desi Korma was the only other dish I sampled and it was indeed unlike any other Korma I'd ever eaten.  It was not overly creamy, pretty darn hot and also possessed the citrus reminiscent of my dish.  Lynda was pleased and remarked on the Korma twist.  Hector considered his Achari to be stunning.  Tender meat, viscous masala, decent kick, punctuated with smacks from lime pickle.

So all in all we had a splendid visit to The Village Curry House, and I can't recommend it highly enough.  If you're ever up Glasgow way check it out.  We certainly will be on our next trip north of the border.

*Hector was on his 40 something blogged visit to the Village!  However, countless total number of visits for the curry maestro!

Pakeezah Fire

Sad news yesterday - the Ingleby Road branch of Pakeezah had a devistating fire.  Luckily, I understand, the staff acted quickly and got everybody out and nobody was harmed.  However, I gather the shop to be in a bad way!

Photo courtesy of the T&A web site

Our thoughts are with you Pakeezah at this terrible time and I'm sure you'll be back bigger and stronger than ever.

Regards

John the Bradford Curry Blogger

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!

World Curry Festival 2013

The 2013 World Curry Festival returned to City Park, Bradford, and the whole shebang has got bigger!

A similar set up to last year is as much as stall holders occupy the periphery of the park, with picnic tables and chairs in the middle.  Different from last year was the addition of a large out door theatre - very posh - as opposed to the stage set up in a vacant unit of Centenary Squarer.  This gave the proceedings a much more cohesive feel I thought, and also looked darn impressive.  Also a very good programme was produced for this years event, including some yummy sounding recipes to try yourself.

Due to my hectic diary - always the same at this time of year - I was on a flying visit.  First impressions were of busyness!  Excellent to see so many people supporting the Festival but, from a purely selfish point of view, the prospect of joining some of the vendor queues snaking their ways around the Festival site, seemed daunting!  However, once a few minutes had been spent wandering around, it became clear there were 'popular' stalls, and some perhaps less so?

With this in mind, nestled away was Deespice, and promised Sri Lankan fodder.  Not much Sri Lankan cuisine around these parts I thought so seemed like the perfect opportunity to try something new.  And, to be honest, looking around some of the other stalls, there are only so many Chicken Tikka Wraps you can eat.

So to Deespice it was.  The stall holders were very friendly and offered a 'Festival Special' for £6.  The Special comprised essentially a number of taster portions on a plate, the main draw I guess being Seeni Sambol.  The Seeni Sambol was a very rich dark curry with dried fish.  It was sweet - almost like a chutney - with a sauce comprising abundant onions, which must have been cooked and cooked and cooked, to produce the rich flavour.  The fish appeared to have almost disintegrated into the sauce, providing a quite strong fishy taste, and it was also pretty hot!  The dish was quite different and quite delightful.  Worth seeking out I promise, but I understand Sri Lankan food difficult to come by up north.  The Sambol was served on a bed of very sticky coconut rice - referred to as Milk Rice - and provided the perfect cooling accompaniment to the spicy Sambol.  With all the excitement, the addition tasters on the platter went a little by the by.  I don't think I even noticed the curried mince!  Likewise the aubergines and peppers!  The chickpea with coconut, onions etc was a refreshing little side garnish/salad an offered texture, zing and freshness to the sweet and spicy Sambol.  I enjoyed the whole plate of food and was pleasantly full afterwards.

Deespice Festival Special inc Seeni Sambol (Middle)

Tauntaun Giblets anyone?  Don't worry its Falooda!

However, there was still room for a trip to the Falooda stall.  I'm not quite sure what Falooda is but it's like a dessert/beverage comprising noodles with thin pink milky sauce, basil seeds(??) and a blob of ice cream.  It sort of resembles a Tauntauns giblets! It has a unique taste (in a good way) which is difficult for me to put my finger on, is not overly sweet and is very refreshing.

So that was it - I hit the road.  Another very excellent and seemingly very successful World Curry Festival.  One observation I made was that all the stalls seemed to have 'Festival Specials' on for £5/£6 and seemed to all provide a substantial meal.  Now, that might prove good value but, if like me, you'd like to trawl all the stalls and sample a bit of everything, you were a little short on option.

Overall excellent day out and really worth a trip next year.

Fathers Day at Pakeezah

Even though a dinner time Bradford Curry of MY choice was to be MY Fathers Day treat, the Mrs saying "I fancy Samosa Chaat at Cafe Pakeezah", kind of loosely translates to "we are going to Cafe Pakeezah!"*

Not grumbling - I consider Cafe Pakeezah to be a little bit of a hidden gem.  Not quite as plush as it once was, now the large booths have been removed, and you defo feel a little bit more like you are sitting in the corner of a supermarket now.  Oh and the service can be a little hit and miss - basically don't expect restaurant quality service.  But the food served up for the price is excellent.

The cafe was quiet when we arrived and we did sit for quite a while, and were contemplating having to go and bring to the attention of staff our presence, when a waiter turned up.  Orders taken, and everything was soon winging it's way to our table.  Once the cogs were in motion, food came quickly.

Mrs Bradford Curry Blogger (MBCB) did indeed order the Samosa Chaat.  And from what I understand it was brill.  The crushed up meaty samosas smothered in yoghurty chickpea sauce and tamarind, and garnished with fresh chilli, is a fantastic dish.  It attacks all the taste buds, has varying textural notes, hot/cold elements and cooling/spicy aspects that swirl around the mouth.  It is great.

Although I was temped with the Chaat, MBCB wouldn't commit to allowing me two curries in one day, so I opted for for the safety of ensuring one a full blown curry!  And ordered a full blown curry - a Meat and Spinach (no distinction between balti/handi/karahi/etc at Pakeezah).  I also had a Garlic Naan.

Soon I was munching away.  My Lamb and Spinach was a little on the oily side, but other than that it was meaty, flavorsome and generally splendid.  My Naan was in a league of its own, and was super fresh, soft and crispy, and perfectly garlicy.

I was more than satisfied, and full to the point of not even having tea later on!  That's a fair old portion!  So Cafe Pakeezah is excellent but not really a full on restaurant experience.  Keep up the good work.3

*Just in case you are reading my dear... I'm only teasing for the benefit of the readers - I loved my Fathers Day treat.

Birthday Breakfast at Mughals

What better way to start my birthday day off than with a chickpea curry breakfast.

Ever since trying this early morning traditional breakfast many years ago on the Curry Mile in Manchester, I have been a big fan.

Back then the delicacy seemed hard to come by here in Bradford, but not any more. A trad brekkie can be found all over - probably most popularly the Sweet Center on Lumb Lane.

Mughals breakfast, by comparison, was far more robust in texture, and sat thick and proud on a small plate. It was nice and mild and had the zing of a little lime pickle. It was good.  Served with three wonderfully chewy and greasy puris, it's the perfect way to start the day.

Ambala

Ambala on Great Horton Road

If you travel up Great Horton Road (GHR), above the University there, you'll spot a little curry house called Ambala.  Blink and you may miss it.

It is a place I have been aware of but never ever really felt like popping in.  However, at a loose end up GHR the other day - and it being about dinner time, I stopped for something to eat.  Small and unassuming, I  actually found Ambala a little daunting to enter - I don't know why?  Probably just because it was to be a totally new experience, and I was alone.  The initial small sweet counter had a few punters clustered around, but the cafe section, off to the right, was deserted.  A quick query to the bloke behind the counter was responded to with a nod, mutter and waving hand inviting me to sit.

Taking pictures of yourself whilst alone in a retaurant
is a little bit of s funny thing to be doing isn't it?

Plain tables and chairs are all that are needed and I was soon joined by more diners, and the waiter arrived and took my order.  Things were livening up.  My order of Lamb Karahi and Tandoori Roti was whisked to the kitchen, and I settled to have a go at the crossword in the paper.  No sooner had I penned the answers to a couple of clues, my dish arrived!  I was impressed and surprised at the speed, it must be said.

Now to the curry.  The bog standard Lamb Karahi was pleasing to the palate,  with refreshing zing from flavours of fresh ginger, chilli and coriander.  Indeed,  abundant coriander stalks and green chilli could be seem as flecks of colour running through the the dark, rich and meat laden Karahi.  Some heat was there - but not too much - certainly a lip tingler though!  

Lamb Karahi

All very nice, and the whole lot was consumed in a matter of minutes!  Few negatives really, but, to be overly critical, it was noted the serving dish was a little cold, which ultimately aided in the Karahi loosing temperature a little quicker than expected.  The Tandoori roti was fine - ideal for mopping up all the juices.

Overall Ambala was fine - good in fact.  Whether it had enough about it for me to rush back though I'm not sure.  You see, many of my favourite haunts are just down the road.  I certainly would not quibble at a return visit and, indeed, as the self proclaimed No1. Bradford Curry Blogger, I have duty to do so... And I will enjoy it too I'm sure.  Breakfast next time.

Cafe de Akbar

New Akbars opened up at the top of Leeds Road. The original cafe has now been closed down. Will visit soon I'm sure.

Mughals

Well it doesn't seem like 2.5 years since last time we ventured to Mughals!  See here.  Amazing how time flies when you're having fun.

Lamb Karahi and Chicken Karahi

Way back then I remember a dark and wintry November night, but Mughals was excellent - even if the service was a little laboured and hap hazard, due to our large party - and provided me a fabulous Karahi.  Today's supposed 'spring' visit exhibited very similar wintry conditions - strangely?  A hail storm ensued as we more or less fell through the door, at just gone midday.

The menus seem to may be have had a little revamp since our last visit, and now offers a variety of options including such things as a few burgers and pasta dishes.  An increasingly common addition to many of the cafe style eateries about the city.  It was also noted that Mughals does breakfast from 8am - we'll defo be back for that I'm sure.  Sadly the decor had yet to be treated to a revamp, but it didn't really matter as everything was serviceable, and the center of attention sweet counter was to die for with it's vast array of colourful, sweet and sticky treats.  Obviously we stuck to the curry options... but could we resist the sweets?

Lamb Karahi for me and Chicken Karahi for Big Tone.  Izzy wanted chips!  Ggrrrr!  She'll learn one day I'm sure?  But we did get her some fish pakora too.  The Karahis were very meaty with a nice tingle of heat, and the perfect kind of 'middle of the road' blend of spices that make it a sort of all curry to all men.  Healthy portion too!  It was on the incredibly rich side of things and, between the Karahi and my accompanying garlic naan, there was an over whelming sour buttery ghee flavour.  Not in a bad way - just the kind of thing that stands out saying things are being done properly - but just prepare yourselves!

Jalebi

Could we resist the the sweets?  Er... no!  Although stuffed, a couple of Jalebi were savored.  These were very fresh and syrupy sweet.  when I've tried these in the past at other places, there has been a stale fatty taste associated with them - not at Mughals.  Super fresh.  Excellent - I could have eaten a full bag!

So all in all a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and just goes to show the depth of expertise all over the city of Bradford.

Karachi

Not been to the Karachi for a while, and I am glad to report all is fine - just as good as always.

A little unusual this visit - we actually got the menus to look at!  I set about with much gusto trawling all the options and thinking I would - should - try something different.  However, although I sure anything I could have picked would have been great, nothing jumped out at me, and I went for my usual Rick Steins Lamb and Spinach.  Yawn - I hear you ermmm... yawn!

No, 'if it in't broke, don't fix it' - as they say round these parts - and I had kind of spent the morning with my heart set on it.  I promise next time I will have something else.

The Lamb and Spinach was without fault in my opinion but, to be ultra fussy, I felt it did have an ever so slight taste of undercooked chilli powder?  However, we are dealing with perfection here, and this small criticism is all I could level at the dish.

As per usual the dish was inclusive of chappatis, and these were indeed... chappatis!  Plain, warm and fresh, they are all that is really required to transport the curry to the mouth.  However, we did get a spoon each...  with which I spilt curry down my front!  Not a drop was lost using the traditional chappati method.  Lesson learned.

Amaan's Grill House

Location

Amaan's Grill House,

12 Legrams Lane,

Bradford,

01274 733971

http://www.facebook.com/AmaansGrillHouse

Time

4th April 2013 - Lunch time.

Attendees

Big Tone, Izz Whizz, John the Bradford Curry Blogger.

Expectations

It seems like ages since trying somewhere new - the laziness strikes again - so I was really looking forward to our long over due trip to Amaan's.  You see, Ajaz, from Amaan's, has clocked the Blog in the past, and commented on a couple of posts.  He suggested we visit him at Amaan's, and I promised to.  I regarded the Facebook page, and decided that Amaan's looked a pretty groovy place with huge photos of singers and musicians of the wall the colorful decor.  This was eight months ago!  There's that laziness again!  But, seriously, where does all the time go?

The Reality

Amaan's is indeed groovy.  The glass fronted shop goes straight in to an area boothed down one side, and with a few steel 'patio style' tables and chairs down the other.  To the back is an open kitchen, where the satisfying clatter of pots and pans could be heard, and a small breakfast bar with high swivel chairs.  The decor is firmly in the trendy cafe style, with no particular frills as such, but colorful, clean and cool.  The large photographs down one wall are a nice touch, and add cool.  First impressions count for a lot, and I was liking Amaan's a lot before even sitting down.  

A few people were in chowing down,  and we took one of the large booths, in the hope of being able to pin Izzy in a corner - didn't work - and were enthusiastically greeted and handed  menus.  Some popadoms, pickles and water soon followed.  As per many of these new breed cafe style eateries, you are not necessarily restricted to curry alone, and here at Amaan's, breakfast, 'Subz' (sanwichs to thee and me), steaks and snacks, were all on the menu, along with the more traditional curry fare.  One excellent offer which caught my eye on the menu was a  Credit Crunch Much special.  For just £5 you got Chicken, lamb or vege curry, 1 seekh kebab, 2 vege pakora,  2 chicken tikka, 2 chappati or a naan, salad and sauce!  Bargain - but for today, seen as how it was our inaugural visit, we dined a la carte.

I went for Lamb Karahi, off the bone (there were both on/off bone sections to the menu), which I have to say was rather excellent.  A generous portion of thick, meat rich and steaming curry.  Seasoned well, and with a nice warming sensation from the perfect spice, but smooth too, was pleasing to the taste buds.  It was soon apparent, coming back from my euphoric haze, that I was stuffed and sweeping around the pot with my nann!  The naan, of the garlic variety, was fresh, fluffy and warm, and was also very good.  Big tone said his Jalfrazi was brillant.  A man of few words, I have yet to hear him say anything negative about any curry - this is not to take anything away from Amaan's Jalfrazi, which I am sure was as wonderful as Big Tone said it was.  Likewise I didn't hear any complaints from Izzy regarding the popadon, chip and mango lassi combo!  Don't ask!  However, she was more interested in the swivel chairs!  Oh and counting for the umpteenth time, the number of milkshakes on the poster in the window!  Bless!

Drinks Policy

All soft drinks on the menu.  Pop, Lassi, Milkshakes, Teas, coffees etc.  No alcohol - and forgot to ask about BYO - often forget crucial boozy queries during the daytime - not on my mind.  I'll find out next time.  NB.  Amaan's is just up the road from the legendary Fighting Cock... every cloud...

Highlights

Every aspect of our visit was a highlight.  From the decor and ambiance of the restaurant, to the friendly and efficient service, to the quality of the food.  Thoroughly enjoyable eating experience.  I'm not even going to add the usual 'Low Lights' sub heading beneath this paragraph - what's the point?

The Damage

A very reasonable £17 all in.  For mains off the Specials Menu too, we thought this was value for money.  The Credit Crunch Munch would have saved some pennies - which is what it's there to do ultimately.

Aftershock

Overwhelming sensations of joy and happiness were apparent on leaving Amaan's.  We were pleased to have visited, and already timetabling our next visit!  I've heard the breakfast is good?

Overall

Very good and enjoyable.  Amaan's is now definitely on the list of 'regulars'.

I have recently been moaning a little in my Blogs about perhaps being stuck in a little bit of a rut, and the need to be trying new venues.  Well Amaan's has certainly been a revelation, and was good to the extent that I fear it has just formed a new rut for me to jump into...

Happy days.

St. Patrick's Curry - Sheesh Mahal

Box Fresh Trainers and Rain!  Aarrrggh!

Bradford Irish Center

Now, I'm not Irish, or religious and, to be honest, I don't really know who St. Patrick is/was!  Apart from he was a Saint - what ever one of those is?  Nor, to be totally brutally honest, do I really care!  However, he does seem to like to throw a good party.  

For a good number of years now we have always, in some capacity or another, gone out for a good number of drinks on St. Patrick's Day.  Searching out the 'craic', the best Guinness, and the folk music has become a tradition in this household.  This year St. Pat's fell on a Sunday - a school night - and not ideal.  After intense negotiations with Mrs Bradford Curry Blogger, it was 'decided' we - meaning my Dad 'Big Tone' and me - would celebrate Paddy's Day the day before!  Madness!

Also, this year saw a deviation from the usual raucous shenanigan's in favor of a leisurely gallon or so of the  'black stuff' at the Bradford Irish Center - reputed to serve the best Guinness in town... followed by a curry.  Conveniently the Bradford Irish Center is directly behind the Sheesh Mahal - a coincidence?   No.  This match made in heaven was engineered from the start.

The Remains of my Methi

A mucky night ensued as we alighted the train at Forster Square.  Being dry all day and, indeed, further up the valley when we set off, I'd opted to wear my new, yet to be worn, Christmas present trainers!  Big mistake.  I could almost feel the dirt being sucked up my boot cuts and transferring to the shiny shoes.  It was upsetting me, and I was glad to fall through the doors of the Irish Center.  Troons tucked into socks, to halt anymore necessary damage, the Guinness began to flow.

Pondering Perfection

The Bradford Irish Center itself was pretty large, and comprised a section with snooker tables, another section which was more like a function come dancing room, and a third, where we sat, more your traditional bar area.  There may have been more, but we didn't venture.  This being St. Pat's eve so to speak, the place was a touch quiet, but did slowly fill up during our short stay.  Traditional tunes were spun by a DJ in the next room, and a general air of relaxed 'craic' wafted about the club.  Old, young and family's were all present, and the Guinness was indeed good.  Smooth, bitter and irony.  Nice.  The Bradford Irish Center will be added to our pub crawl that's for sure.

Chicken Jalfrazi

Onto the Sheesh.  We've been there a lot recently - because it's been that good recently - and tonight was no exception.  Busy as usual, we were sat and immediately had popadoms, pickles and menus placed before.  We opted to skip starters and concentrate on the mains.  I selected my usual Lamb Methi and BT Chicken Jalfrazi.  With Rotis and Chappatis respectively.  What we received was as near to perfection as I can imagine ever receiving.  The crisp aroma offered by the fenugreek (the methi) is intoxicating, and the texture of uber dry textbook Bradford Curry is basically what we are all here reading/writing this page for.  The Jalfrazi was equally bone dry and was supplemented with egg and garden peas.  It tasted slightly sweeter and milder, when compared to my Methi, and was remarked as being excellent.

Sheesh Mahal really are on top of their game at the moment.

Zouk

Manchester Velodrome

Having just spent 2hrs at Manchester Velodrome, slowly having my legs ripped off by Ilkley Cycling Club,  a substantial recovery meal was deemed crucial to aid the repair of my muscles.  As many an athlete will tell you I'm sure, it's a big slap up curry and beer which is the most effective fodder for recovery!*

Now, I like Manchester, and there are many a good curry house lurking, but one of the best aspects of Manchester is that, to get to my house at least, you have to drive through Bradford - So, Bradford it was.  The Mrs decided she'd quite like to go to Zouk, and we hadn't been for a while, so I was happy to oblige.

Mrs Bradford Curry Blogger

When we arrived at Zouk at about 9pm, the place was mobbed.  Very popular is Zouk it has to be said.  We were asked to relax in the bar area whilst a table was prepared.  No problem - I was gagging, so an ice cold Cobra was perfect.

Once sat, we perused the menus - both starving, we decided on full mashings of poppadoms, a starter each and mains!  The specials board caught my eye - a nice touch at Zouk - and my main of Kali Mirch Ka Myth was selected from here, and promised chicken in thick punjabi pepper sauce - sounded good.  I decided on something a little different for my started also, and went for the scallops.   Lynda went for a mixed grill and Lamb Sultani which, it turned out, was very similar to a Nihari.

Scallops in foreground with Mixed Grill to rear

Poppadoms dispensed with, our starters, fresh from the grill, arrived.  My scallops looked and smelled lovely, and were served with a sour tamarind like dip.  First scallop skewered onto my fork, into the dip and into my mouth resulted in a whack of lip smacking tamarind - but no scallop flavor??  Lesson learned there -   clearly the dip was too powerful for the delicate scallop and was over powering it!  Use in moderation.  Second scallop was merely wafted by the dip before popping into my mouth.  Much better - the beautifully grilled (tandored?) scallop was melt in the mouth and subtly spiced.  Gently with the sour dip certainly added to the sweet scallop without drowning it.  A beautiful and slightly different for Bradford, dish.  Very moreish.

Kali Mirch Ka Myth

The Kali Mirch Ka Myth main I ordered sounded totally alien in title, but offered a familiar description with 'Punjabi', 'thick' and 'pepper' jumping from the synopsis, and getting me all a little excited.  However, I have to  honest and say the dish didn't really deliver on it's promise!  Although I hate to say it, I found the dish very bland and a bit soupy!  It was more like pie filling in taste than curry.  On occasion a fragrant pepper corn was happened upon, which added some interest to the proceeding, but other than that it was a pretty uninspiring trudge from the first mouthful to the last.  It is not often I am negative about a Bradford Curry, but I am finding any positives difficult to find.

Lamb Sultani

Lynda's Sultani was a far superior main and, although I didn't get to eat much of it, there was bags more firey  flavor in evidence, and I must admit to being a touch jealous.

So all in all, exquisite sea food starter, followed but indifferent main course.  As in the past, Zouk is an excellent  dining experience, and is still something different to a lot of Bradford Curry establishment, but its strengths seem to remain firmly in the grill department - which is no bad thing I suppose.

*I'm not a Doctor - and the use of beer and curry as recovery fluid and food after extreme exercise is at the individuals own risk :-)