Bundobust

A rare night out for me and the Mrs - to see bands just like the olden days - and we needed a bit of something to eat prior to vino frenzy, so Bundobust street fodder was just the ticket.

The excitement - well my excitement - around Bundobust has been rumbling on now for some 18 months or so, and from nothing more than rumours on the internet, and humble beginnings as 'pop up' purveyors (all here), Bundobust is now established as one of the coolest and trendiest bars/eateries in Leeds.

And cool and trendy it is indeed. Indian influenced wiring dangles exposed light bulbs from the ceilings, and ramshackle wall furniture made from old doors, are, I guess supposed to be reminiscent of some Mumbai slum or other. Bundobust is positioned in the bottom(ish) part of town, near the train station which, perhaps, is not historically one of the most salubrious areas of town, but is now much improved, and close to the new Trinity Centre, and also the likes of Laynes Espresso and Friends of Ham.  It's a part of town much improved recently and on the up and up.

Born from a collaboration of the Sparrow Bier Cafe and Prashad, both Bradford institutions, Bundobust was set to be a winner.  I'd say it's more bar than restaurant, but they have stuck to their guns and deliver Indian inspired street food. All presented in little paper bowls.

The menu is a fairly stripped down affair, of about twelve street food dishes, ranging in price from £2.50, for spicy nuts, all the way up to £6/pot for the likes of Dosa (stuffed pancakes) and Idli Sambhar (rice dumplings).  Then there is a rather healthy craft beer, wine and cocktails menu also. Indeed, far more extensive than the food menu.

Maureen's Caribbean Takeaway

And so it's back to the Caribbean... Well, when I say 'Caribbean' I really mean Leeds!   Well, to be fair, a very rainy autumnal lunch time in Leeds... It simply screams the Caribbean doesn't it?  OK - I am being a bit sarcastic - but if a rainy and cold Leeds doesn't feel like the Caribbean Maureen's Caribbean Takeaway, on Roundhay Road, will certainly make you feel half way there!

Akmal's Tandoori Bisto, Leeds

The old toilet block never looked so good

Location

Akmal's Tandoori Bisto,
235 Woodhouse Lane,

Leeds LS2 3AP,
United Kingdom.

0113 242 4600

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Akmals-Bistro/756508261039569

Time

25th July 2014 - Evening.

Tasty's Karahi Restaurant, Leeds

'The best curry in Leeds', 'consistently excellent food and service', etc.  Punters on Tripadvisor are very complimentary with regard to Tasty's Karahi Restaurant.

Open for lunch, and then presume right through the closing, Tasty's is a proper little traditional style Curry House nestling at the bottom of Roundhay Road in Leeds and has plain and clean decor with red velour seats and unadorned tables.

Given a few minutes to peruse the menu I noted all the traditional curries were covered and along with a large specials selection too, and I knew I wouldn't be left wanting.  I went for the staple Meat Palak (spinach) as this is the curry I usually try everywhere for comparison.  It's one my favorites too.  I was asked how hot I wanted it too - nice touch.  However, after recent 'manning up' episodes, I stuck with middle of the road.  Three chapatis included too - the Bradford way!  Happy days.

Promising sounds of sizzling, metal on metal scraping, and clattering, soon emanated from the kitchen behind, suggesting my dish was being freshly prepared.  All too soon my dish arrived. Fist visual impressions were excellent, it looked super fresh and steaming.  It was very Bradfordian - ie dark and dry, and stood proud in the dish. No soup here.  Smelt excellent too.  The curry came with side salad (fresh for a change) and yogurt sauce, and the aforementioned chapattis. 

So to tucking in.  Firstly I was glad opted for 'middle of the road' heat, as it was spicy enough for me. Nice tingle around the lips and throat.  Lots of spinach not only added the familiar metallic flavour, but also an actual fresh tasting spinach hint.  Meat quota was good and was presented in larger chunks than maybe would be expected in Bradford.  Seasoning was good also, and overall the dish exhibited an all round air of quality and attention to detail.  Basically it was very good.  The chapattis were fluffy, hot and fresh. Not leathery.

Tasty's is a brilliant little place ans so glad I came across it.  Everyday day is a school day...

Punjabi Sizzler Bar and Grill

Another lunch time visit to the excellent Punjabi Sizzler and Grill, so lunch time menu it is again.

Difference?  The proprietor recognised me from the Blog!  My previous Punjabi Sizzler Blog (here) had received a lot of traffic to be honest - so shows there's quite a buzz about this place.  He's a nice guy and said he like the post. Happy days, but always a little awkward.  However, I've chosen to plaster my face across the internet as some sort of curry aficionado (which I'm not!) so is bound to happen occasionally. Hey ho.

Anyway, on to the fodder.  Today I tried a Seekh Kebab Wrap (for £3.50 and includes a drink) and then greedily ordered Veg Samosa Chaat (£2.50) at the last minute.  I was feeling hungry the order just inexplicably and uncontrollably blurted out!

The Samosa Chaat was again excellent. Very textural with plenty of crunch, and again super sour and with a sprinkling of fresh herbs and gently warming heat. Could eat it all day!

The Wrap was presented in a warp, funnily enough... as opposed to a naan or anything.  Two juicy and meaty kebabs wrapped with usual kebab related grated carrot etc.  I was asked how I wanted my wrap? "Everything on" was the response.  Punjabi Sizzler obliged.  The wrap was good and spicy without being overwhelming.  A lovely lunchtime snack.

Punjabi sizzler is a great place and we'll worth a trip. I need to rally the family and get down for an evening meal. From what I've experienced so far I'm sure it will be great.

Browns Delights, Hyde Park, Leeds

The brutal hot chilli sauce!

Browns Delights Curried Mutton Rice and Peas - Yes please, don't mind if I do!

A perfect and satisfyingly yummy dish if ever there was one... the old Curry Goat (Mutton in this case).  Always a little milder than the Indian counterparts, but the taste of the sunny, warm Caribbean seeps through the consciousness spoonful after spoonful.  It's great...

Even peering through the window to the rather drizzly and drab brick Hyde Park vista, could not spoil the 15 minutes I had with the Curried Mutton.

Browns Delights version oozed quality.  No potato or veg filler here, just very tender, melt in the mouth mutton.  Only one small bone detected too - although not an issue as used to Curry Goat often being served 'on the bone'. Excellent quality dish. Well seasoned and very very tasty. I over did it with the hot chilli sauce condiment, and made my Mutton a touch too hot!  But I soldiered on! Otherwise a wonderfully balanced dish in the classic curry goat style.

Curried Mutton, Rice and Peas + foolish application of chilli sauce.

Browns Delights is a simple little cafe, with quaint mismatched tables and chairs and chalk board menus. Very friendly and efficient service, made me feel right at home.  A variety of hot/cold sandwiches are offered in addition to the traditional Caribbean fair.  I will definitely be visiting more often - I can see yet another regular haunt here. 

Bundobust Staking

Bundobust staking.... this time at their most recent pop up at the brilliant Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen's Street Feast Event.

Basically, Belgrave Music Hall has a bit of everything - large bar area, a large music venue upstairs, a large terrace on the roof!  Large... I guess you get the idea?  Also - seems good for kids (through the day), cool food, beer, and seems to attract the Leeds hipsters.  Anyway, once a month or so the bar area is passed over to various foodie pop up stalls - in addition to the resident burger and pizza outlets - and the Street Feast happens.  This month it not only included the fabulous Bundobust, but also a fish stall (Fish&) doing mussels in lager, and guy doing some kind of Japanese dumplings, there's coffee, cake, and various guest beers. We could have spent all day there... I wonder if that's the idea??

Daughter yet to fully appreciate Bundobust,
But loved Belgrave's roof terrace.

B for Bundobust maybe?

Blurry Bundobust

Anyway, onto Bundobust.  Today they were offering two dishes - Pav Bhaji and Bundo Chaat.  I've sampled their fantastic Pav Bhaji a couple of times already, so Bundo Chaat it was for me.  I'm really into this street food/snack/chaat type of stuff at the mo.  My recent Blog posts must give that away somewhat?  I find, as opposed to the everyday curries, the Chaaty type dishes seem so fresh, vibrant and zingy – they are also new and exciting to me.  They are a far cry from the heavy baltis/karahis/etc of this world.

The Bundo Chaat comprised shards of crunchy samosa pastry with chickpeas, tamarind and yogurt etc and had that Samosa Chaat vibe I guess, with it's flavour sensations and crunchy textural notes.  A lighter snack sans samosas though and more a sensory attack than a full on feed - it's a chaat - a snack.  Perfect with a beer - which is exactly how I enjoyed it.

I'm pretty sure I will be spending much time in Bundobust once it opens.

Bundo Chaat and a pint - perfect

Dhesi Sweet centre

Still got the Chaats!  

Dhesi Sweet Centre  (DSC), Harehills - but DSC has more shops locally in Pudsey and on Leeds Road, Bradford - with more branches nationally - so this post is kind of Bradford Curry related.  

DSC in Harehills is essentially a small sweet shop, which also sells a good selection of vegetarian snacks and curries. DSC was brought to my attention by a fellow Blog reader who recommended DSC (Pudsey branch but I guess they'll be much of a muchness), and as I'm one to listen to my readers a visit was bumped up the hit list.

The attached photos throughout this post are actually from two visits!  Yes, I enjoyed my first visit so much, I had to go back almost immediately!  What was the draw I here you ask?  Pani Puri (aslo known as Gol Gappa)...

Pani Puri (Gol Gappa) Round 1

According to Wiki, Pani Puri is basically a street food dish from the likes of Mumbai, and is also known as Gol Gappa in the north of the country, and translates to 'watery bread' or 'crispy sphere eaten'!  And doesn't sound overly appetising when said like that! As a totally new concept for me I just had to try.  As a precursor, I'd spotted people eating these little stuffed balls of pastry a couple of times in various places and had wondered what on earth was going on... A bit of internet homework later and... Pani Puri was the out come.  Further homework and a couple of places reared their ugly heads - Dhesi Sweet Centre was one.

Always a bit daunting going in somewhere new alone, and sheepishly I asked the nice lady behind the counter for Pani Puri, and also for an Aloo Paratha (Flat bread made with ghee) just to bulk it out a bit.  A nod of agreement and she disappeared round the back.  I sat. The little cafe is fine enough and seats about 12 - 16 people on fixed bench seats and tables.  No frills.  

On arrival, the little balls had been kindly pre stuffed with chickpeas/potato, and were presented simply on a metal platter with separate chutney and a little jug of the flavoured water.  The nice lady sensed my 'rabbit caught in the headlights' and ensured I was up to speed with the etiquette before leaving me to it.  Basically, add a little chutney and top up with water, and bosh - straight in the gullet. Crunch and BANG! All the flavours hit you at once! Amazing!  So it's sweet/sour eye popping with an after burn of heat.  Very very moreish.  Once you start you can't stop!  Bang bang BANG until your head is spinning!  Highly recommended.

Round 2 and much more of a DIY theme

My second visit, I was left to my own devises more.  A different equally nice lady presented my Pani Puri de-constructed with chickpeas seeming mixed with the sweet chutney and the same little jug of water.  Still simple - a thumb hole in the crispy puri, spoon in the chickpeas, top up with water and wallop - the effect was the same.

An excellent Samosa Chaat

Aloo Parath and massive bowl of yoghurt!

On each of my visits I had additional Aloo Parath and Samosa Chaat.  The Paratha was fine and dandy but perhaps fell victim to the Pani Puri, and came across some what plain.  I was asked if I wanted yoghurt with my paratha...  I said yes OK, thinking I'd get a little bit to dip the bread in - I only got a massive bowl with a spoon??  Quite why I'm not sure?? 

The Samosa chaat came slightly de-constructed with whole samosas rather than crushed, and chickpeas etc to the side - nothing wrong with that and is just representative of yet another variation of the theme.   The flavour was hot with an underlying sweetness - yet again another variation.

I will be a regular here (and other outlets) I'm sure.

Punjabi Sizzler Bar and Grill - Leeds

Sticking with the Leeds vibe, a trendy cafe bar called the Punjabi Sizzler Bar and Cafe has opened up in an area of Leeds close to where I work (Sheepscar).  Decked out in white with orange highlights, tiled floor and dark wood tables and chairs, it's seriously bling! In addition is a banging R&B sound track!  Well there was when I visited. From my seat the bar looked well stocked with various draft beers etc and spirits. The cafe was spacious and had a relaxed overall ambience.  Very nice.

Yaadgaar, leeds

Yaadgaar, Harehills

Bradford related this post.  

Although this Yaadgaar, I visited recently, is in Harehills, Leeds (note all the red brick in the photos - defo Leeds), I understand there to be two branches in Bradford (I think??).  One on Leeds Road, and one on Lilycroft Road, just above Listers Mill there.  So I dare say the fare will be essentially the same.  Not much info in the inter'web to confirm the/a relationship, however, but I am sure the signage is the same.  Could be wrong though.

After a long morning I was in desperate need of a Chaat*.  Being in the vicinity of Harehills, and knowing of the existence and day time opening of Yaadgaar, it seemed the ideal solution.

Dinner time and I wander in - initially into the sweet shop.  "Am I OK to sit in the cafe please?"  I asked peering at the empty cafe section.  "No problem" was the response. So I took a seat in the adjoining small cafe and got the paper out.  The staff continued to unload a delivery van.  Five minutes later someone poked their head around the corner and asked if I'd like to eat something?  Bless - I must have looked destitute or something, and simply seeking warm and dry refuge!  "Oh, err, yes please - Samosa Chaat please?"  No menu was offered, but a small paper leaflet was on the table - giving an idea of what was on offer at lunch time - and some posters on the wall advertising Apna style curries, so I know roughly where I was going.

"Double/single... Vegetable/chicken?" was the comeback. "Vege double Please.." and the deed was done.

A superb bowl full of Samosa Chaat and a bottle of water arrived within minutes. 

What a great dish

Heat, texture, temperature contrast, sweet/sour. Samosa Chaat has everything, and is just a fantastic meal, and I can say Yaadgaar do a brill. version too.  I didn't notice any tamarind juice as such, but definite sour notes were detected.  The underlying lying samosa's were good quality with crispy pastry and contained vibrant and fresh peas in amongst the tasty potato filling.  Nice and spicy hot too, but with cooling yoghurt it never gets out of hand.  Sweet chilli sauce adorned the top, which was a nice, if perhaps non-traditional, addition. Only £3!

Samosa Chaat, and other street food snacks, are the new rock n roll.  

* Chaat translates to snack

FiFi's Caribbean Delights, Morley

So Morley...

Errrr?  Ummm?  A town on the outskirts of Leeds, actually probably considered more of a suburb these days... and is famous for... errr... its Town Hall for one...

Oh and a Wilson's Pies Award Winning Pie Shop*...

And then there's Ernie Wise...

And now hopefully soon - well in my eye's any road - Curried Goat with Rice and Peas, courtesy of FiFi's Caribbean Delights.  (A full Caribbean menu is available)

The Curry Goat was scooped from one of a range of massive pans adorning the ranges of the open kitchen behind the counter.  The lady was working hard and had a mass of food prep on the go.  No reason to think my dish was anything other than fresh. The Curry Goat did as Curry Goat does - it was fairly mild, but rich and full tasting with the slightly fatty meat and coconut milk. Some bones but not many were present. The inclusion of chunky potato and carrot was a nice touch and added dimension.  This was a good Curry Goat.

I heard the pin of a microwave - which I assumed was the Rice and Peas - but they tasted good too.  Rice smooth tasting and well seasoned. Fresh and moist also. Good.

FiFi's itself was pleasant enough.  A few green plastic tables and chairs filled the edges of the space.  Not really a cafe cafe as such, but my food was served on a plate with cutlery etc - but did need a nudge to the proprietor who initially went to put my Curry Goat in a polystyrene container.  Nice decor too with good pictures of the Caribbean Islands and flags.

It's good to know these place are about, where you can get a decent, quick and cheap fill of some tasty fodder and I will go back when in the vicinity.

*Very good they are too

Bundobust Stalking

Bundobust are getting themselves about a bit and getting their name out there.  Latest news seems to be that they are hoping to be open before Christmas somewhere down by Leeds Train Station.

However, today it's another Pop Up to celebrate the opening of the new music venue in the city - Belgrave Music Hall.  Billed as more of an evening do, with bands and several food stalls booked for a bit of a street festival, it did seem a it quiet when Izzy and me rocked up mid afternoon.  Thankfully Bundobust were ready to roll, and Masala Dosa was on the menu today.

Yip Skip Jump - one of my all time favorite dishes.  Vege, of course, masala wrapped in a crispy Dosa, made from a slightly fermented batter.  It's a great dish.  Bundobusts (as with Prashads) Dosa is fantastic. The Dosa  is slightly sour tasting, thin and crispy.  The Masala is perfectly seasoned and spiced.  Not too hot, but the thin sauce/soup (sambar??) ladled over the top packed a bit of a wallop.  All was cooled y a little coconut chutney over the top and a few herbs.

All was soon finished off, and because not much else seemed to about to kick off anytime soon, we wandered off.  Until next time...

Good times in Leeds are just around the corner.  I can't wait.

Cabin Caribbean Cuisine - Leeds

Well great stuff.  A quick Google search revealed this little place - Cabin Caribbean Cuisine - to be just up the road from my work.  Amazing what crops up sometimes - I never knew it was there.  And remember my old adage for not only curry based Leeds fodder, but also from my experience, most Leeds based fodder options - when in Leeds go Caribbean.  Although getting better recently, Leeds is still awash with chain/franchise eateries and, for me, generally offers little dinning interest.  However, a few miles north of the city centre, in the Chapeltown and Harehills areas, Leeds becomes alive with the sounds and smells of the Caribbean, and a number of such establishments exist. 

No kebabs/burgers/pizzas here.  Just
Caribbean classics.  Pumping tunes and a
BBQ outside too!

I am actually happier than I look.  Always a
bit weird sitting and eating alone and
photographing yourself!  I'm not a weirdo
I promise.

This small cafe is perhaps a little bit more take away than proper sit in kind of place, but there was a single table with four seats, and a small bar with stools around the window.  The table was presented with a table cloth and a few condiments, so felt fairly civilised.

Curry Goat, it just had to be.  £5 for a small portion (£6.50 for a big, but to be honest the small was massive), and served with rice, Rice and Peas or Hard Food(??).  The dish promptly arrived, and slightly took my breath away with it's size!

The classic Curry Goat with Rice and Peas.

Great flavour from the curry itself.  The goat was 'on the bone' but had been cooked to such an extent it had come away.  The goat was fantasticly meaty in flavour and high quality.  It melted in the mouth and had little to no grisly bits.  Lovely.  The sauce was of fairly thin consistency which mixed well with the Rice and Peas, and had chunky potato and carrot added also.  Spice wise it was just right.  Not too hot and had the lovely undercurrent of the mellow coconut milk to keep everything in check.  Hot clilli sauce was a table dwelling condiment if the need to spice things further was deemed appropriate - it wasn't on this occasion.  The Rice and Peas, were good too.  Perhaps a little on the salty side but once all mixed up, this was not an issue.

A great little place and is going to be a regular from now on I can tell you.

Bundobust - a First Taster

Real Beer Tokens

Leeds Beer Festival and a Bundobust Pop-Up Bar just inside the gate.  Coriander Ale and Pav Bhaji - Boy I am really looking forward to this place opening in Leeds proper.  Still early doors though, and no concrete venue details available as yet.  You lot will be the first to find out.

The Bundobust Coriander Pils was very refreshing, not too fizzy, and definitely had a unique spicy flavour to it.  It was a great beer, and I think a perfect accompaniment to a curry.

Bundobust Pop Up Bar

Then to the Pav Bhaji (Pav means bread and Bhaji means vegetable dish), and it's fantastic.  Originating from Mumbi (I understand), it is a basic, but complex, quick, fast food dish.  Bundobust's Pav Bhaji was cooked in the traditional way on a large flat griddle,  and all the vegetables and potatoes mashed together with plenty of spices and butter.  It is pretty rich and very rewarding to eat.  The bread is generously buttered and warmed/slightly toasted on the edge of the griddle.

Prashad's Bobby (yes him from the telly) was on hand offering samples and some history about the dish. Bobby is great at this sort of thing, and talking about the dish, it's origins and about how many millions of portions of Pav Bhaji are served in Mumbai per day.  I quipped "Mumbai dish, Mumbai prices?"  A stern "no" was the response!  Never mind, Bundobust's/Prashads's Pav Bhaji was worth every penny.

Leeds Cultural Curry Festival

Another date for the is Leeds Cultural Curry Festival 2013:

Bundobust - Now This Looks Interesting...

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

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

Watch this space.

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. 

World Curry Festival 2011, Leeds

We attended the World Curry Festival on the Saturday afternoon, and had a rather enjoyable experience

The Festival itself was set up in Leeds city centre just outside the library and adjacent street.

On arrival it was packed and the smoky aroma of bbqing meat and pots of bubbling curry filled the air.

The short(ish) queue at Barrington Douglas's Discovery Bay stall tempted us into diving straight into our first curry experience of the day - Curry Goat with Rice and Peas.  It was my first Curry Goat experience and I found it very palatable.  Mildly spiced but with rich meat, it was not too dissimilar to the usual Indian curries we are used to

Our second port of call was Zouk's stall, where a massive bbq sizzled away.  We sampled both Chicken Tikka and Paneer Tikka wraps and were not disappointed.  Fresh bbqed meat and cheese on bread - 'nuff said



A quick beer and then it was time for sweets - served up by the Sweet Centre, of Lumb Lane, stall.  One piece each was more than enough.


A few more photos can be found here