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 :-)

THE Best Lamb Dhansak I have Ever Eaten....

Yes it is true - quite simply THE best Dhansak I'd ever eaten - this Curry Blogger had an epiphany!

Me on the train

I do like a Dhansak it has to be said.  The generally thick, often gloopy, sauce, created by the dahl, is most agreeable to me, and the sweet and sour accents are a delight.  It was not a surprise that I liked it but...

Here at the Shesh Mahal, the Dhansak was a little different.  Yes the lentils were there, and yes the sweet and sour aspect was there.  However, no gloopyness.  The trade mark bone dry Bradford Curry was much in evidence, with the dahl providing more of a speckled effect within the dry clingy sauce, and offering more bite also.  The seemingly favoured, and welcomed, Sheesh Mahal sourness - evident in many of their curries - was obvious on initial samplings also.  

Me on the street

Then...  BANG!  Little bombs of pineapple sweetness began exploding in my mouth.  Next mouthful... sour meaty lentil curry... Next mouthful  BANG!  And so on.  It appeared here what Sheesh Mahal had achieved, by creating this dry Bradford masterpiece, and avoiding the traditional homogeneous lentil swamp with meat floating in it, was a dish full of surprises.  Hats Off.

And to think, I nearly turned down this curry eating trip!  I would have been mad to do so.

The famous Hector Curry Heute was in town at the Bradford Beer Festival, and had contacted me a couple of days prior to say so.  A date and time was set... Friday at Midnight!  Now, as you, my dear readers, are likely to know, I have a baby daughter.  And as many of you, my dear readers, who may also have baby daughters, will know, a  midnight curry - or midnight anything - is essentially a no no!  These days, little past 9pm ever happens!

Complimentary Starter - Lucky Boys!

Just as I was leaving for the last train into Bradford, the Mrs bided me a fond goodnight with a sly smile and sarcastic "enjoy your curry."  Yes the temptations to slope off to bed with fruit tea, a bag of Mini Eggs and Sky+ was very tempting.

However, a date is a date.

Hector Curry Heute had a 'special' - he doesn't even have to look at the menu!  His account can be read here.  What was brought was a lamb on the bone and spiniach.  I heard no complaints as the bones were relieved of their meat and deposited on a side plate with a resounding clank! 

A great night was had

Hector Curry Heute with curry

Delhi Sweet Centre, Curry Mile, Manchester

On the Curry Mile

On my travels yet again - I really do need to get some Bradford Curry in.  Slacking!

So here we are in bandit country - Manchester, on another weekend away racing push bikes, and, following a few celebratory post race drinks the previous evening, in need of a curry breakfast.

Delhi Sweet Centre on the Curry Mile seemed to fit the bill.

Sunday Breakfast Special - Chana, Puri and Halwa

Not much to say other than perfectly acceptable Chana Puri.  We also indulged in the Halwa - like a bowl of sweet semolina 'stuff' - nice.  A bowl of Chana, a bowl oh Halwa, and more puri's than you can shake a stick at came to £4pp.  Excellent value and just what was needed.

Trying to work the curry off!

Hopefully... soon... back to the the Bradford Curry.

A Curry Hunt - Tiffin Box, Guiseley

The Tiffin Box

AAarrrghhh!  Hungry!  

A Sunday afternoon to early evening in-laws wedding anniversary party, with some associated drinking, had left me starved!  By the time we'd got home, and got daughter Izzy to bed, the wife Lynda had flaked out asleep, it had started snowing and it was getting late.  Also, had no cash and, crucially,  desperately needed a curry.  

Seemingly exhausting the often utilised  computer/takeaway/credit card options - a task beyond my comprehension at this hour on this day, I booted up and set out on foot into the blizzard.

Up until recently all the curry outlets in Guiseley were proper restaurants only, so there has never been an option for a cheap and quick, basic sit down curry locally.    This has changed to a degree with the opening of The Tiffin Box.

Curry needed

Lamb and Spinach, and Garlic Naan

 

To be honest, The Tiffin Box is definitely more takeaway than curry house, but the introduction of a few tables and chairs in the shop front, adorned with sauces etc, certainly makes it more inviting for a sit down.

On a Sunday night mission - bang on the Northern Soul
and off we go

Wandering in I got the immediate impression they were about to shut up shop, but I was warmly welcomed non the less, and asked what I fancied.  Feeling awkward, I just ask for what ever would be easiest for them... but nothing seemed too much trouble, and not being in the mood to peruse the menu, I just went for my staple Lamb and Spinach, and Garlic Naan.

I took my seat and patiently waited.  I wasn't sure what to expect, whether my food would just come in a takeaway foil container, and would sit and eat it from said receptacle or whether it would be plated?

Snowy Guiseley

I was pleased to see my curry arrive steaming hot on an actual plate with accompanying naan adjacent.  Both looked very fresh and good quality.  And indeed they were, and as good as anything served in my favoured Bradfordian eaters.

Thick and full of meat and herbs, it was definitely in the camp of the more modern looking curries, with many of the ingredients on display, rather than homogeneous mass.  There was heat there too, and it was, not to put too finer point on it, quite lovely.

I may have found my new local curry takeaway/cafe stop.  Watch this space.

A Taste of Trinidad, Leeds

Big Tone finishes his Rice and Peas with
the Dhalpouri Roti in the foreground

NOT BRADFORD? 

No, but sometimes for the well travelled Bradford Curry eating aficionado such as myself, eating in the Curry Capital of Britain is not always possible and, when out and about in neighbouring Leeds - a cool place but notoriously bad for eating I find - I try to get some Windies food in.  Hence A Taste of Trinidad (AToT).

I appreciate Bradford curries from many of the giants such as Akbars, Aagrah, Newaab, Mumtaz can be procured in Leeds, but only in the evenings and, to me, it just doesn't seem quite right?  I don't know why?  Please note, however, A Taste of Trinidad isn't exactly Leeds city centre - nor are any of the other likely sources of West Indian fodder in Leeds - and you are looking at a good 10min drive/35min walk from City Square.  So a little bit of dedication is necessary.  But it's worth it.

I spotted AToT during the Capletown Carnival last summer.  It looked good, and I was keen to make a visit.  However, I'm not called John the 'Speedy' Bradford Curry Blogger, and my return to the area to sample the the food has been some what leisurely!  And the buffet lunch - I spotted advertised on AToTs facebook page over the Christmas period - seemed like the perfect opportunity to sample their fare, especially with my increasingly fussy little girl in tow!

We arrived to be told the buffet was no longer being run!  Not enough interest apparently!  WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE OF LEEDS!  We were informed by the very friendly proprietor that there were also a few other issues with availability of certain things on the menu - such as the children's meals!  Eeek!  He offered to do the Fry Bake - basically some crispy fried flat bread - with red sauce, and he also chucked in some chicken nuggets.  Izzy seemed to quite like it so we were happy.

Curry Goat - as part of the Goat Dhalpouri Roti

Thankfully there was no issue with the Main Courses, and Big Tone ordered the Chicken Curry with Rice and Peas, and I ordered the Goat Dhalpouril Roti.  Many of the words seem pretty familiar don't they?  Dhal, Pouril and Roti, all have roots in Indian food.

Big Tone's dish is fairly self explanatory, and tasted fantastic.  The flavour of sunshine oozed from the dish, with abundant smooth and sweetish coconut.  The chicken added a lighter note to the dish compared to the traditional goat version I tried in the past.  Bit spicy too.  Yum Yum!  My Goat Dhalpouril Roti may need a little more explanation?  It needed describing to me that's for sure.  It comprised a puri type flat bread stuffed with crushed 'stuff' - I presume the dhal?  With a bowl of Curry Goat, which was embellished with some chickpeas and potato.  It was quite delightful.  The curry, like the chicken version, possessed a full rich flavour of coconut, and some heat too.  The goat added a much richer, and stronger meaty flavour to the dish and melted in the mouth.  I enjoyed it very much.

I love these Caribbean curries, and A Taste of Trinidad do a very good version.  They make a refreshing change to the usual, and I'll be making a return visit. 

Pakeezah Samosa Chaat

I'm a big fan of the Pakeezah Cafe.  Nice food and very very good value for money.

Samosa Chaat

It was nice to pop in for a quick dinner the other day whilst visiting Bradford.  And what better dish to have for a quickly than Samosa Chaat.  I've written quite a bit about this dish already here and there, as it is one of my favourites   I love the textures of the smashed samosoa and chickpeas, and the hot/cold thingy.  Also the sweet/sour combo from the curry and the tamarind is excellent.  Then there is the heat.  Normally served with freshly chopped chilli's on top, it can be quite eye watering at times.  All round great dish.

It was noted during our visit to Pakeezah, that the nice big booths, which I thought added an excellent dimension to the Pakeezah Cafe eating experience (see here), had been removed, and the cafe area reduced in size to accommodate more sweet counters and fridges.  Seems a shame, but obviously Pakeezah seem to think it better for their customers.  

The quality for price of their cafe food has not been affected.

Sheesh Mahal Christmas Special

The perks of mixing with the top brass curry eating gliterati - Hector Curry Heute and entourage - are many, and here, during this Christmas time visit to the Sheesh Mahal,  the full blown Sheesh Mahal experience was experienced.  An experience not to be missed.  More of this.... er, experience, lower down.

Hector had been in Yorkshire for a few days already - mainly over Huddersfield way - for New Year, and had already squeezed several Bradford Currry's in (Sheesh and International I think) prior to our arranged lunch time visit.  This guy is seriously dedicated, and I highly recommend checking out his website for all things curry.

Mutton Patia

On arrival, the Sheesh was all shut up?  Contrary to the recent new(ish) 11:30am opening time, this seemed slightly puzzling.  Thankfully, just as we were stood outside formulating a plan B, the staff came jogging round the corner.  Unnecessary apologies for their slight lateness were ushered away, and we ventured inside.

All the usual high standard Sheesh customer service was in evidence, with complimentary poppadoms and pickles, and also the willingness to to prepare dishes off the cuff.  Fish seemed the order of the day amongst a couple of our dining party and, although not strictly offered as an option on the menu, the request was greeted with a 'you only need to ask' expression.  I should perhaps mention here that the Sheesh had unfortunately had a break in overnight, and some of the staff were slightly preoccupied.  Understandable, and in no way effected the service we received.

I decided to try something different from the menu this time, rather than my staple, and gorgeous Methie, and selected a Mutton Pathia.  All our dishes arrived in good time and, as usual, I was not disappointed.  My Pathia was, in all fairness, fairly similar in both appearance and taste to my usual Methie.  It was dark and dry, and flecked with green herbs.  The taste was in the same ball park too, but, as per the menu description, a tad sourer, and also hotter.  All the hallmark Bradford Curry tastes were there, and I felt refreshed post meal from the pummeling my taste buds had received.  With two fresh, soft and crispy at the same time, rotis, ample food was ordered.

Kashmiri Tea

Then the promise of something special - a 'dish of the day' so to speak, was offered to the table.  We had to guess the food!  Not too adventurous me, at the best of times, I was a little nervous, but the dish duly arrived.  I shirked at first, and after hearing from the more gung-ho, that the the dish was in fact tripe, I continued my shirk!  Chicken drumsticks and a partha were brought too - all on the house - and these were very good, but I could not bring myself to try tripe!

All this was finished off with Kashmiri Tea and a small plate of sweets!  I'd never had Kashmiri Tea before, and I am well and truly hooked.  It was lovely.  Slightly pink, delicately spiced, sweet and warm.  Very good.

All this for about £7pp!  You just couldn't make it up!