Address: 25 Denmark Street, Wokingham, Berks RG40 2AY

Telephone: 0118 9874237

Website: N/A

Date of visit: 31 October 2011

Costs: Less than £20 for starter, main course with rice or bread

Wines and beer: Cobra, Bangala and Kingfisher, wines available

Likes and dislikes: Dishes were very mild, otherwise fine

Cuisine: Indian (Bangladeshi)

Special note: Takeaway: free delivery (within 3 miles) for orders over £15. 10% discount for collection

Summary:

This is a small restaurant off one of the main street in Wokingham. There are car parks off Denmark Road.

I went with my friend M after a couple of pints at the Crispin – several decent real ales including guests.

M has been coming to the Taj Mahal for nearly 30 years so this place is well established.

I started with meat samosa (££2.75) whilst M had jhinga (prawn) puri  (£3.25). I was very pleased to note that the side salad that came with the samosa was very fresh – not leaves with brown tinge at the edge which you get in certain Indian’s. We also had 2 papadoms (0.60 each) which were served with the usual chutney, sweet yoghurt, onions and pickle on the side.

M then ordered (Gulshani chicken – a Taj speciality – £6.75). It looked and tasted to me like chicken tikka in a Jalfraizee sauce. I had the chicken dupiazza ((£5.25). To accompany the meal, we had a nan ((£1.95), pilau rice (££2.25) and sag paneer (£3.25). Everything was fine – perhaps less chilli than I like. The rice was slightly orange in colour instead of the yellow that I am used to.

The meal was washed down with a pint of Kingfisher and a bottle of Bangala – pity that all these beers are now brewed under licence in the UK. I swear that Kingfisher used to have a hint of Cardamoms which is now missing.

The restaurant had pristine white table cloths and the service was excellent.  The total bill came to less than £39 (excluding service).

E

PS I was also very pleased to see a few Bangladeshi dishes on the menu as well as the usual items.

Address: 72-76 Western Road, Southall, UB2 5DZ

Telephone number: 020 8574 1928

Website: www.brilliantrestaurant.com

Date of visit: 2 September 2011

Price guide:  £20 plus for starter, main course with bread or rice

Comments on wine and beer: Exceptional wine list at decent prices. Cobra 600ml at £4.50 a bottle

Likes and dislikes: Good all round (food, drinks, and service). However, the flat screen TV with Sky News lowers the tone.

Cuisine: Indian (Northern – Punjabi)

Summary:

This place is supposed to be the temple of traditional Indian Gastronomy. The owners came from East Africa where they were also restaurateurs. It is in most of the Guides, won lots of awards including Gordon Ramsey’s best Indian. Prince Charles ate here when he was young and recently re-visited with the Duchess of Cornwall.

The restaurant is sited near the King Street end of Western Road. Parking round there is almost impossible. All the side streets are permit only and you only get 30 minutes on the main road during the day. However, there is a car park in Dominion Street about 500 meters away.

Inside is a smartly decorated and very modern restaurant with orange-pink colour leather chairs. The tables are reasonably spaced apart. The restaurant can accommodate 100 plus diners. You get proper table cloths and napkins here. They also serve an array of chutneys and pickes (free) on each table. You can buy the chutneys and pickles to take home (£3.50 a bottle).

On the day I went (Friday lunch time), there were only another table occupied but I understand that the place is nearly impossible to get in at weekends without reservations.

The menu is pretty extensive and is different to your average High Street Indian. As I have driven 30 miles to sample this place, I went for broke.

I started off with the meat samosa (£2) and the shami kebab (£4). This was followed by lamb curry (£8), paratha (£3) and aloo gobi (£6).

The samosas were two biggish triangles filled with chopped meat – not minced – well spiced. The shami to my surprise were deep fried in batter similar to the jumbo sausage in batter you get in a fish and chips shop. It was also moist not dry when you bite into it. It was some days later that I discovered that shami is always fried. It is sheekh kebab that is grilled.

The lamb curry and aloo gobi were both served in small woks  over a tea candle warmer. They were not huge portions but more than adequate for me. Everything was medium strength plus in terms of chilli. The lamb curry was a red curry with lots of sauce – a bit like a cross between a Madras and a Rogan. The paratha I had was not greasy but more like a chapatti than a roti.

The food was good and the service excellent. The cobra beer I had was ice cold.

The menu had a lot of interesting dishes but they were for sharing. The menu is pretty good in describing the quantity. For example there is a lamb dish for 5 at 30.

This is a good place – excellent food and good value for money. However, it’s not that much better than a good High Street Indian.

E

Address:  75 Warf Street, Sowerby Bridge, Nr Halifax, HX6 2AF

Telephone number: 01422 834 314

Website: www.javavillagerestaurant.co.uk

Date of visit: 23 August 2011

Price guide: Cheap. Nearly everything is under £10 with the huge nan at £1.95

Comments on wine and beer: wines available at under £20 a bottle – nearly all screw tops. Good selection of bottled larger: Tiger, Singha, Cobra and Bintong.

Cuisine: Indian and Indonesian

Likes and dislikes: proper table cloth and napkin, food not bad, prices very reasonable but Indonesian food not on offer everyday.

Summary:

I was on my way into Halifax when I spotted this place on the main road advertising Indonesian and Asian cuisine (well, they don’t do Chinese and Indonesian is also in Asia). The Asian turned out to be the usual Indian with a few Punjabi dishes.

Well Halifax town centre was the gastronomic dessert that I remembered. 90% plus of the old buildings from the 60s are still there. The one “new” one belongs to Halifax (now Lloyds).

So, I went back to the Village. The menu said Village but the URL is Javavillage.

It is a pretty big building with a bar and seats on one side with a small dining area. The other side is a  dining room with tables well spaced apart. This room could easily accommodate up to 100 diners.

I was invited to sit in the bar area and choose my order. The menu is huge with easily over 100 dishes in both the Indonesian and Indian section. All the waiters were Indians – not a single Indonesian in sight. But then, there are restaurants in London with  a whole crew of Chinese chefs cooking European cuisine.

As I started to order, I was informed by the waiter that they only do Indonesian at the weekends! Why don’t they say so on the outside!

Anyway, I ordered a mix kebab (£2.95), meat samosa (£2.40), a chicken Madras (£5.50) and a nan (£1.95) with a large bottle of Cobra (£3.50 for 500ml).

I was then led into a dining room with white white table cloth and napkin – so civilised.

The meat samosa was good – finely minced lamb inside two “normal” size triangle pastry. The mixed kebab was pretty big. You get a piece of chicken tikka, a seekh kebab about the size of a jumbo sausage and a burger size and shape onion bajee. The seekh kebab was moist and heavily spiced, the tikka a bit dry and the onion bajee could be crisper. Both dishes were served with a “limp” side salad.

Then came the Chicken Madras – this was hotter than the ones you get down south. Best way to describe it is that it is Chicken Rogan Ghost (Murgh). The sauce was sweeter and saltier than I am normally used to. The nan was a revelation – soft and crisp at the edges and double the size you get down south.

I ordered another bottle of Cobra (small at £2.50) to finish off the meal.

The bill came to £18.80 without service and the service was good.

It was an OK meal but I came in for an Indonesian.

E

Address: 21 Prospect Street, Caversham , Reading RG4 8JG

Telephone number: 0118 9462115

Website: http://www.binatandoori.com/

Date of visit: 19 February 2011

Approximate cost per head: Approx £20

Comments on wine list/beer: Various Indian larger and wines charged at reasonable rates. The problem is that all the famous Indian lagers are now brewed in the UK. For example, Kingfisher used to have a slight cardamom taste, you can’t detect it anymore.

Cuisine: Indian

Summary:

There was a whole crowd of us. Bina used to be a top 50 Curry House in the UK. It then (many years ago) had to be refurbished after problems with the Health Inspectors. I used to go regularly; they did the best Indian breads in Reading. In fact, I am not even sure that it is now managed by the same people a decade ago when it was in its prime.

The other Tandoori House of note is the Standard Tandoori, also in Caversgam. The Dala Lama is a regular customer when he is visiting this part of the world.

Back to Bina. The room is very modern with blue lighting and a lot of modern paintings on the wall. There is a sort of waterfall at the end of the dining room before you reach the “facilities”.

We had a round table and popadums were served within 5 minutes with all the usual condiments. Then we shared the mixed starter – £4.75 per person. There were several pieces of tandoori meats, prawn wrapped in pastry and a couple of other wraps that I cannot work out as to what was in it. In the menu they were described as patties – it was some form of minced lamb with vegetables and pulses in a wrap similar to won ton skins and the whole thing was deep fried.

We the had  Murgh (Chicken)  Korma (£6.95), Chicken Madras (£6.75), Chicken Mulini (£7.95) Ghost (lamb) Kata Masala (£8.50) Nawabi king prawns (£12.95), Pilau rice (£2.75 per person), Nans (£2.50 each), Palak (Spinach) bajee, Aloo (potato) gobi, Mushroom bajee – all at £3.95. The first thing I will say all the dishes tasted different. This is not one of those restaurants that have a master sauce and then add chilli and tomato to differentiate the dishes. However, all the curries are slightly on the “sweet” side especially the Korma and the Madras – it this to suit the British Palate? The Madras was also more medium than hot. I recalled a Madras in an Indian Restaurant (demolished – it is now a dual carriageway) that I simply couldn’t eat. I had to take it home and add several cans of baked beans into it before I can eat it.

We went on a Saturday night and the place was full. However, the service was very good as we asked for drinks on a regular basis. After dinner, all the women in the party were presented with a red rose and to cap it all, they offered us a free birthday cake as they overheard that it was the birthday of one of us. They saw the cards and presents and worked it out. Well they did ask me if it was a birthday or some other celebration.

By the way, they do an all you can eat buffet on a Sunday for under £8.

I think the place is still pretty good!

E

PS you can park in the Waitrose car park down the road.

Location: 58 Headley Road, Woodley, Reading, RG5 4JE

Web site: www.redrosewoodley.com

Telephone number: 0118 9440908

Date of visit: 29/1/2011

Approx. cost per head: £15

Comments on wine list/beer: An ample wine list and 3-4 beers available by the bottle.

Media link:

Review:

Having heard good things about the Red Rose we decided to try it out for a birthday meal. I’m going to start with the food, as it was by far the best part of the evening.

Alongside the usual preamble, between us we managed to try the Red Rose’s king prawn bhuna and the chicken and vegetable birianis with sides of matar paneer and aloo, and saffron fish tikka. All of which were delicious – particularly the substantial biriani dishes. Mains are averagely priced for the area, at between £8-13, with starters coming in around £4. Desserts, priced around £4, followed and were satisfactory but not overly inviting when they arrived on the table.

A small number of spaces are available in the car park to the rear, with additional on and off-road parking also nearby. The restaruant itself is welcoming and nicely turned out, with a modern feel.

For me, the final ingedient during any meal is always good service. Sadly, on this occasion the service can only be desribed as forgetful, disorganised and abrubpt. Cutlery was not replaced automatically between courses, waiters did not return to take further orders to to provide the bill without being prompted several times and watching the staff dashing around in a panicked fashion didn’t make for the most relaxing atmosphere.

As I say, I’ve always heard good things about the Red Rose so I’m tempted not to judge them on what was perhaps a bad evening. But I’d perhaps venture along on a quieter evening next time to compare things.

Dave Lamont

Location: 15 Gunn Street, Reading, RG1 2JR

Web site: www.gurkhasquaretandoori.com

Telephone number: 0118 958 0540

Date of visit: 28/12/10

Approx. cost per head: £14

Comments on wine list/beer: A reasonable low-end wine list and good selectio of beers.

Media link:

Review:

Formerly the Raj, I’d often wondered by this Oracle-side restaurant but never ventured inside. However, last month I visited for a friend’s birthday; they’d booked a table for 10. My initial reaction when inside was that whilst the outside had recently had a slight overhaul to coincide with the restaurant’s renaming the inside desperately needed some life injected back into it. 

We sat down at a table to the rear, in what felt more like a dingy pub’s function room than an Indian restaurant in the centre of Reading. Still, the food was yet to come.
Starters are averagely priced at around £3.50, with mains ranging between £8-£15. The wine list is a little low-end but there’s the usual choice of beers etc.  Food wise, for me personally, the low –point was a side dish of saag panir I couldn’t even half finish because it was more reminiscent of eating those  polystyrene balls you often find when opening a parcel than one of my favourite Indian dishes. I was almost as disappointed when the mains arrived – my rice (the most basic staple of Indian cooking) was dry and hard. At the end of the meal, chatting away, it was clear that about half of the table were also disappointed with their meal, with the other satisfied but not overly excited. A few people also commented on the somewhat slap-dash service, not really acceptable when you’re a table of 10 on a quiet evening just after Christmas. So to the good news…the highlight of the evening (and thanks to the Ghurka for this) was the surprise arrival of a birthday cake made by a friend. The Restaurant served this without question and were very amenable.  If you want a nice Indian meal then Reading and the surrounding area is spoilt for choice. I’d probably venture elsewhere.

Dave Lamont

Location:Tankerton House, Basingstoke Road, Spencer’s Wood, Reading, RG7 1AE

Web site: www.miahs.co.uk/html/restaurant_spencers_wood.html

Telephone number: 0118 988 8394

Date of visit: 21/1/2011

Approx. cost per head: 30

Comments on wine list/beer: A good selection of wines and beers. The Chardonnay was lovely – fruity with a hint of oak.

Media link:

Review:

Miah’s Spencer’s Wood is one of four restaurants in this local chain that also includes Miah’s Saffron, The Garden of Gulab and Miah’s Pangbourne.

The restaurant provides a welcoming and intimate environment with contemporary styling. It’s always advisable to book a table – essential in fact on a Friday or Saturday evening. Reservations are accepted for either the 7pm or 9pm sitting. Ample car parking space is provided to the rear and nearby road-side parking is also possible. Miah’s is perfect for all occasions – a romantic meal, a business dinner or a family celebration.
The extensive menu includes a mix of classic and contemporary dishes, inspired by owner Jamshed Miah’s regular visits to India. Needless to say it caters well for vegetarians. The starters are excellent and well priced, averaging £4. Alongside the largest (tennis ball sized) onion bhajis we’d ever come across we also opted for the vegetarian-friendly mumta-e-zameen and a delicious sag ponir. Main courses hover between £7-£12. We opted for two of Miah’s own dishes – chicken kofta massala -Minced Chicken with spices and herbs fried and cooked in a medium sauce – and the vegetable kofta malai. Both were superb. Alongside the traditional deserts you will find an inviting collection of Miah’s own creations.

Aside from the mouth watering food, the service at Miah’s sets it apart from rivals. Efficient, polite and welcoming – female guests even receive a fresh red rose at the end of their meal. A popular touch from what I could see. An optional 10% service charge is included in the bill.

Reading and the surrounding area aren’t short of Indian restaurants and having eaten at most of them in recent years I was pleasantly surprised to find that Miah’s comfortably tops them all.

Dave Lamont

Location: 10 Palace Gate Road, Harringay, London, N22 7BN

Web site:N/A

Telephone number: 020 8889 0384

Date of visit: 11/12/10

Approx. cost per head: £20.00

Comments on wine list/beer: An average selection of wines and beers.

Media link:

Review:

Easily missed and uninspiring from the road-side Bengal Berties is the hidden gem of the area.

Located on a quieter street close to the Centre of Wood Green, or a short bus ride from Muswell Hill, it provides a quiet and relaxing atmosphere perhaps best suited for a weeknight visit. Described on several popular review sites as ‘the best Indian restaurant this side of North London ’East London’s Brick Lane or several alternatives in central London are no doubt still worth the tube journey if inclined.

Following several visits we have now worked our way through a selection of the available dishes – and we’re yet to be disappointed. Simple, honest, lovely food, well priced and friendly service. The decor could be improved and unless it’s a full house the atmosphere can be a little lacking but on the flip side that’s part of Bengal Berties’ appeal. Starters average around £3-4 with mains around £7-8. We’re yet to try the deserts, priced around £4.

Dave Lamont

Address: 6 Malvern Road, Powick, Worcester WR2 4QP

Telephone number: 01905 830 750

Website: www.cromwelklstandoori.co.uk (not working, under maintenance?)

Date of visit: 13 March 2010

Approximate cost per head for 2 courses: under £15 for starter, main plus rice

Comments on wine list/beer: cobra and a very cheap wine list

Summary:

Let’s get the wine out of the way. On the night we went, the place was full and most people were drinking cheap wine (£12 a bottle). I don’t think that spice and wine works together, so I never have wine with an “Indian” meal. Champagne just about works.

This is an interesting restaurant as it’s the first and only building on the way to Malvern as you enter Powick. The car park is often used by the Police (day time) for their mobile speed guns. This is one place that I would not recommend that you drink and drive as the car park is often also used by the police when they are having a break!

The place is called Cromwell for obvious historical reasons. The interesting fact is that this is the first “Asian” restaurant I have come across that does not use an “indianish” name. To make sure that the customers are not fooled, there is also a huge sign with the word “Indian” on it. But then, the people who operate its are Bangladeshis not Indians. They also do steak, scampi etc just in case you do not eat “spicy” food.

The menu has all the usual Indian restaurant favourites but it also has a section on fish and Bangladeshi dishes.

We ordered  chicken karahi and chicken chashi (on the menu, it said that it’s a Bangladeshi dish cooked in special sauce), pilaw rice, sag and bindi bajees.

The chicken dishes tasted quite nice but I am not sure of the “differences”. The bindi was chopped up finely and was excellent – in fact this is one of the best I have had for sometime.

All this was washed down with 3 pints of cobra and the total bill came to £33.

The fish dishes look very interesting and there were 2 fishes – roop and ayre – that I have never heard of. Must try it next time.

By the way, they are only open from 5.30 to 11.30. They do not serve lunch.

Eddie

Address: 23a St Mary’s Row, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8HW

Telephone number: 0121 442 22 22

Website: N/A

Date of visit: 17 December 2009

Approximate cost per head: £15

Comments on wine list/beer: Small wine list at lowish mark up, cobra on tap

Summary:
This is my daughter’s local – she and her friends eat here regularly so it should be good value for money.

The room looks like a converted warehouse with exposed brick works and wooden beams. This is another one of those places that has no table clothes but you get a decent napkin. It is otherwise pretty smart and they don’t do dosa or table naan. ( My daughter informed me that she has never come across table naan in Birmingham.)

The menu is quite extensive and it includes a whole page (inside cover) on what Deolali is or means –  sent to jail. You have to read the long version yourself if you go there.

The most interesting part of the menu are:

They offered food cooked in the tandoori oven but you can’t get plain tandoori chicken or mixed grill.

They offer a variety of seafood (not just prawns).

Coming back to the food, we had green masala salmon, chicken pathia with aloo gobi and sag on the side, pilau rice and a naan. The popadoms to start with were warm.

Lets start with the naan, it was thin and slightly crispy instead of the usual doughy version. Very nice. All the food came in rice bowls – mains and starters except the naan and popadoms. Now the interesting thing is that they charge £7.50 if you have the side dish as a main and £4 if it is on the side. So if you order it as a side dish, you will get as much as a main at significantly lower price.

All the main meat and fish courses are around £10 or over. The salmon was nice so was the chicken pathia. The sag was cooked and not wilted. Another interesting observation was that the dishes came with a toping of green onions instead of coriander.

The total bill including a bottle of pinot grigio and a pint of cobra came to £53.85 (service not included). I like the place but I think this place caters to non Indians rather than Indians. However, there was a table with 4 Indians  (male businessmen in suits). I have to go to Southhall and eat with the real McCoy to see what the real ethnic scene is all about.

Eddie