Tuesday 24 April 2012
International Yet Again
This was yet another fantastic dish and overall experience from the International.
Monday 23 April 2012
Akbar’s The Café Quickie – Excellent Service.
 |
| AAAarrrrggghhhhh!!!! |
After the recent very successful
Bradford Curry eating outing to Akbar’s Café, we didn’t need much persuasion to
revisit on the spur of the moment when the opportunity arose the other week.
Again, even at noon, the
restaurant was already buzzing. I
ordered the Lamb and Spiniach Handi again, and a naan… again, and fish masala
for Izzy… hhmm… again!! And why not – it
was lovely last time. Big Tone ordered
a biryani.
 |
| Little tear away still treated to an ice cream |
Although it was busy, we were
rather alarmed to be told by the waiter that there would be 20 to 30 minute
wait for our food!! Probably the biryani
we thought, and set too trying to entertain a short on patience and getting
hungry 2 year old toddler. To Akbar’s
credit, they must have seen we were struggling somewhat with Izzy, as her
patience wore thing, and the food must have been pushed through the kitchen in
double time. Our meals arrived in a
fraction of the stated time.
What joy – a settled 2yr old,
happy with her fish, and happy Dad with his beautiful Lamb and Spinach Handi,
that was wonderfully rich, meaty, and
irony from the spinach. Oh and a more
than happy Grandpa with his biryani.
Quality food, with no evidence of corner cutting to get everything out
to us quickly, is deserving of merit.
Yet another top draw Akbar’s experience.
Monday 2 April 2012
Punjab Sweet House & Grill Centre
BD7 1JR
Tell:
01274 720308
Time
24th March 2012 @ ~21:00
Attendees
(Rob, Gill), Jenny, Pete, Ian, Lara Lynda and John (me)
Pre-Curry
Watering Holes
No children on this trip, so a proper pub-crawl - albeit short - had been engineered in to the start of this Bradford Curry eating trip.
 |
| Inside the Sparrow |
First up was
the Sparrow Bier Café, on North Parade, and a very popular little beer drinking
café-bar it was too. Pretty cool with
exotic beer advertising plaques on the wall, and little Formica tables and
chairs. Although specializing in beer,
we started with a couple of bottle of wine – just to get the evening going you
understand – so can’t really comment on the beer quality. Basically, there were a number of speciality beers, including local ales, on draft, and also bottled continental types
too. It was noted as being, by a member
of our party, “my new favourite place in Bradford
for a drink” - high praise indeed and I’m sure it’ll be on the hit list for
pre-curry drinks in the future.
Next was The
Castle Hotel. Here, a famous old Bradford drinking den was visited by us for the first
time. To be honest I’ve never really
done much drinking in Bradford really –
probably shows. The Castle Hotel is a
pretty bog standard ‘oldie worldy’ pub with a good selection of Real Ales. I understand it to be popular with the CAMARA
types. I had a pint of something, which
name escapes me, but was quite hoppy I recall.
 |
| Inside the Fighting Cock |
The belly
was rumbling now, but one final drink was to be taken at, from what I
understand to be, the Bradford pub that towers above all other Bradford pubs – The Fighting Cock. You see, again, I’ve never been. I’ve been aware of its presence, and driven
past and seen all the beer barrels out side but never stepped inside. It certainly looks the business, and was
expecting a real dark and dingy, small, spit and sawdust type of place. How wrong I was. It was full of trendy types sipping at their
artisan real ales. Surprisingly large
inside, it was very reminiscing of Fanny’s in Shipley, which we visited a
couple of months ago. It is a Bradford institution and one not to be missed. Dutch lager was my weapon of choice. It was good, it was lager.
Another big plus point for the Fighting Cock is that it’s just around the corner from the Punjab Sweet House & Grill Centre.
Expectations
 |
| The Mixed Sizzling Starter |
Punjab don’t seem
to like to advertise, and don’t have a web site!! Other than driving past on occasion, the Punjab has passed me by entirely. However, word of mouth is a powerful thing,
and once probing the enigma that is the Punjab Sweet House and Grill
The Reality
The extended
drinking time meant we arrived at the Punjab
gone 9pm. This was good because the tea
time rush was starting to ease some what – when we passed on our way the ‘Cock
it was heaving.
 |
| Atmospheric Shot of Punjab |
The open
kitchen was a nice to see and it was good to spend a few moments watching the
chefs producing the fresh food with bursts of flames and bangs and clatters,
and loading the tandoors with freshly rolled nanns. The Punjab
was looking promising.
Décor fell into the posh café style. It was clean and presentable. There is also an attached sweet centre, but this was closed by the time we left. We’ll have to ensure an earlier eating time for our next visit.
 |
| Inside the Punjab |
No complimentary poppadoms to munch on as we perused the menu, but these were ordered as a pre starter to our Special Mixed Grill. We asked for the chicken wings to be swapped for more chicken tikka, which was not a problem; and the dish arrived spitting and sizzling on its red hot cast iron plinth. All aspects of the dish (lamb chops, chicken tikka and kebabs) were wonderful – moist, succulent, full of flavour with spice that danced on the tongue and attacked every taste bud.
 |
| Lamb Handi |
The menu was
full and varied as whole, but didn’t offer too many dish options beyond the
standard fare seen all over Bradford . However, the Lamb Handi (on the bone) jumped
out at me as something worth trying. I’m
glad I did. The dish was pomp and
ceremony, and arrived bubbling away in a clay pot held aloft and heated by its
own tea light fuelled holder - very grand and unique. A new experience was about to be had I could
tell. As for the taste – it wasn’t all
‘talk and no trousers’ either – and the word rich doesn’t do it justice!! I’m guessing all the marrow from the bones
must have seeped out to produce a curry with depth of flavour far beyond the any
I’ve sampled in this town… indeed the world.
The Handi was ultimate hedonistic decadence in curry form - quite simply
gorgeous.
Drinks Policy and range
Punjab is strictly
alcohol free. Calibrate in the Fighting
Cock – if that’s your bag – prior to your arrival, and enjoy the delights of
tap water and lassi during your meal.
 |
| Another shot of the Lamb Handi |
Highlights
Lots of
highlights – basically, for me, just a great night out from start to
finish. The Sparrow and the ‘Cock got
the evening rolling with good booze and chat in atmospheric environs, then onto
the Punjab where one of the – no THE - most
lavish and decadent curry I’ve every eaten was savored to the last.
Lowlights
Only having
too much enjoyment!! The enjoyment levels were at such heights we missed the
last train. Luckily the Punjab was on hand to sort appropriate transport for our
party. Still, it was an unnecessary taxi
fare. NB – this is not a reflection of
slow service or anything – just us sitting in the boozer too long!!
The Damage
I didn’t notice the bill come around the table – again!! Sorry. I’m getting good at this.
Aftershock
The richness
of my curry had taken its toll to a certain extent, resulting in indigestion
and a small amount of squiffy tumminess to following morning. But our livers thank us for the late finish
in the Punjab and straight into a taxi home.
Overall
We really found
our hidden gem, and Punjab really lived up to
the ‘word of mouth’ hype I’d come across on the internet. Miss it out at your peril.
Wednesday 28 March 2012
Karachi - The Same Greatness but Better…
 |
| Me eating my Lamb and Spinach |
But Why?
Well, the Karachi
The addition of plate full of
wonderfully tasty fragmented shards and clumps of onion bhaji whetted the
appetite fully prior to the arrival of the sizzling pot of curry too.
The waiter was especially helpful
and friendly on this occasion – not that they aren’t normally - in as much as –
assuming I am a recognised face within the curry eating Mecca that is the
Karachi – I don’t receive a menu, but am treated more as a guest, and just
asked what I want. On this occasion, I
was given the option of two varieties of Lamb and Spinach – a normal one and a spicy
one. Suffice to say the spicy one was
ordered. It turns out that this is the one I
normally receive. It was probably the
Rick Stein version I’m guessing.
 |
| The wife eating her Lamb and Spinach |
No, the real treat on this visit
was the accompanying wife. We made this
visit during a few stolen hours at the end of the day, before returning home to
the madness that is ‘terrible two’s’, and outside the group curries enjoyed in
the Bradford Curry Club, and almost without the pressure of official Bradford
Curry Blogger work - it was just me and the Mrs eating Bradford Curry… Just like the good old days. Joy.
Tuesday 6 March 2012
Omar's
 |
| The Bradford Curry Club |
Omar’s
46
Great Horton Road
Bradford ,
West Yorkshire
BD7 1AL
Tell: 01274 414 188
Pre-Curry Watering Holes
No pre curry drinking on this occasion. Small children in tow, and an early sit down time kind of negated this much enjoyed ritual. There’s always next month though. For reference, Omar’s is located just below Bradford Uni, so is ideally located for all the local student bars, and also my favourite Weatherspoon’s - The Sir Titus Salt.
Expectations
 |
| HHmmm... Now What do I Fancy? |
‘Yorkshire ’s Biggest Naan’s’ is the claim, and I was
hoping for a decent feed if nothing else.
I was aware that Omar’s had a good reputation, and was generally
popular. However, nagging at the back of
my head was the idea that Omar’s might be pushing the ‘Biggest Naan’s’ thingy
at the expense of quality.
The Reality
As with a
lot of the recent Bradford Curry Club outings, things got off to a shaky start. The initial plan was for some healthy eating
and shisha smoking at Jumerah. However, upon
arrival at Jumerah we were presented with a closed restaurant, with no sign of
life and no evidence of opening anytime soon!
I will monitor the situation.
Hopefully it’s not bitten the dust.
So yet again were had to resort to a Plan B. A few worthy names were banned about, but I wanted somewhere new and proposed Omar’s. We missed Omar’s last year and a necessary visit had been on the cards for a while. Our car load of Curry lovers were in agreement, and a few frantic phone calls later ensured the rest of the brigade were redirected Omar’s.
Phew!! All was going smoothly all things considering. ‘Most’ arrived at Omar’s without hitch, with
only the unfortunate few making there way up at Omar Khan’s by mistake, but
ultimately catching up.
Omar’s is quite a nice place really – all lilac and mood lighting. The petite and bijou restaurant was buoyantly busy when we arrived, and remained so during our stay, but it was not too much trouble for the staff to quickly rearrange a space in the corner for our group numbering fourteen. Loads of poppadoms and pickles, and the menus were placed on the table before we’d even sorted ourselves out. So it was nice to simply sit down, open the menu and start munching.
 |
| Seekh Kebab |
The varied, now more common, cafesque menu offered a full range of curries, including some mouthwatering specials, along with some burger and pasta etc options to boot. I also spotted the Notorious Naan – a simply ‘must have’ for the table to tear into. One interesting section of the menu was titled Sizzling Kebabs on Naan!! I must have died and gone to heaven surely? However, these monstrous sounding kebabs were deemed too larger sounding to even share as a starter, so they will have to be saved for another day.
All the orders were taken efficiently by the pleasantly mannered member of staff, me opting for my preferred Lamb Seekh Kebab, and then following with a Paneer Karahi Special (Lamb - but could be ordered with chicken, keema, vege, etc.)
 |
| Lamb n Paneer |
Due to the size of our group the food took a while to prepare – but nothing excessive – probably just me nursing my single designated driver beer!! But soon enough my kebabs arrived, and some additional sauces were also provided. The kebabs were very nice. Nice bit of heat with tasty spices and herbs, with plenty of moisture and an agreeable charcoal/tandoor after taste.
The curries looked spectacular, all being served in large balti dishes. My Lamb and paneer wasn’t exactly like what I would consider a traditional ‘Bradford Curry’, it was definitely lighter in colour than other lamb curries I’ve experienced around these parts. In addition the curry was saucier and gloopier than others eaten. The flavour was nice but was quite mild, both in the heat and other spices stakes, and was more reminiscent to my mind of a Curry Mile or Balti Triangle curry. This ‘lighter’ aspect to the curry added a much fresher eating experience than some of the heavy stews served in the vicinity.
 |
| One Mighty Naan! |
The Notorious Naan has to be seen to be believed – it’s massive!! But not only that, it’s a good fresh and tasty piece of bread too. It ate very well. Although we ordered the garlic version, it didn’t blow your head off with garilciness – perhaps a reflection of the general subtlety of herb and spice use noted in the curry also.
Drinks Policy and range
BYO. Cost Cutter is just across the road so no
problems if you arrive empty handed.
Bottles openers were offered by the staff. Of course there is a full range of soft
drink’s and lassi’s.
Highlights
The Notorious Naan has to be seen to be believed. Its size isn’t its only note worthy point though - it’s also a very good naan. The staff and general service is also worth a mention – no quibbles regarding four young children running round causing havoc.
Lowlights
No lowlights
to mention. However, for me, the actual
curry wasn’t perhaps what I would consider classically ‘Bradfordian’, and was
definitely lighter in flavour and gloopier, than the dark/dry/rich varieties we
often see around Bradford . My curry was maybe more reminiscent of ones
I’ve eaten on my travels in Manchester or Birmingham
 |
| Me and Lady Di |
The Damage
I was baby herding during the bill paying procedure – I always like to make myself scarce at such moments!! I think we paid ~£15pp which, considering this included food for the babies is pretty reasonable.
Aftershock
Apart from leaving the restaurant looking like four little Tasmanian Devils had whirlwinded through, there was no problems. Although an early doors Bradford Curry eating extravaganza, everyone opted to go there separate ways, and not go for further pints in the Sir Titus Salt.
Overall
I really
enjoyed my Omar’s experience. It was a
good Club turn out, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and the service was
excellent too, so top marks.
Monday 5 March 2012
It's Good to be Back Eating Bradford Curry
 |
| Back to Reality |
It's true to a certain extent. The mundane monotonous drudgery of everyday life of get up, go to work, go home, go to bed, repeat, is all worth it for the odd occasion of unplanned Bradford Curry eating at the likes of the Karachi. All worth it and Karachi's Lamb and Spinach is still my fave Bradford Curry. Like I say, It's good to be back.
 |
| Karachi Lamb and Spinach |
Friday 2 March 2012
Holiday - Fazz's, Lanzarote
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| Pushing the limits of the youngest Bradford Curry Club Memeber |
Well, I can confirm, if you’re planning to holiday anytime
soon in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, then yes, you’re gonna find Bradfordesque curry for sure.
I'm not wanting to dedicate too many Bradford Curry Blog column inches
to a curry house in Lanzarote, but Fazz’s (somewhere on the promenade getting
on towards the lighthouse and in the Rubicon Marina shopping center) is well
worth a visit.
Not only does Fazz’s proffer high quality curry in a modern
environ, with a well-stocked bar, serving amongst other things, local wine – it
also provides the holidaying Bradfordian the perfect antidote to the holiday curry blues.
Barring the strange Hotdog flavoured sheikh kebab, the curry
was rather tasty and wouldn’t have been out of place if served in the mighty
Bradford.
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Official Curry Ambassador
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| John the Bradford Curry Blogger - Official Curry Ambassador It has a certain ring to is doesn't it? |
Friday 10 February 2012
International #2
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| Snowy scene from The City Vaults |
And two days later I am back again!! Eating Bradford Curry in the International – it’s a hard life.
This time, however, the visit was on official duty as self appointed Chairperson of the Bradford Curry Club. No relaxed dinner time curry eating with my baby daughter this time. Networking, hard drinking, socializing, hard drinking, hard curry eating, oh and hard drinking were required. It really is a hard life.
However, the original plan wasn't to visit the International at all, on
this chilliest of snowy evenings. No, the
original plan was to visit the newly refurbished Sheesh Mahal. However, on the said evening, the birthday
celebrations of an esteemed member were also occurring, and a few drinky poos
were on the cards to be consumed. It
became apparent, following an earlier phone call to the Sheesh, that this wasn’t
going to happen - not there anyway - due to the confirmed strictly no alcohol
policy! Not wanting to be a party
pooper, I proposed a Plan B, which entailed the Markaz in Centenary
Square. It was snowing quite heavily by
now, resulting in no one wanting to walk too far, and I was sure Markaz sold
booze – and sheesha, and it was also timetabled for a visit later on in the
year – Top Draw.
Bum – closed… What now?
We’re stuck in the middle of Bradford ,
on official Bradford Curry Club duties, and Plan A and Plan B are both out of
the window… What shall we do? Under such trying circumstances, the normal plan
of attack would be… “Let’s just go to the Kash’.” But no, the first name mentioned was
International. Everyone agreed, so we
trotted up the hill, and picked up some wine in t’Witherspoons en route. That was a bit of an ordeal - and a tale for
another day…
We’re finally here… Sitting down with poppadoms, pickles, water and menus was met with some relief. It seems like every blog at the moment is banging on about the International. This is for good reason though – it is very good. And even though I had visited only a couple days earlier, I could not withhold my excitement.
For starter I opted for Tikka Paneer. Lovely it was too, displaying all the hall marks of quality tandoor cooking. It was bob on and tasked wonderful. However, if the paneer was good, it was nothing compared to the lamb chops, one of which I managed to steal from the Mrs. It was about the best tasting lamb chop I ever encountered. As with the paneer, the seasoning, quality, flavor, texture, smell, everything was verging on perfection. I could have eaten them forever.
 |
| Curry Heaven - Near perfection. Lamb Methi |
To the main course, and with my heightened elated feelings of general well being, it was with tingling waves of goose bumps I savoured the first few mouthfuls of my Lamb Methi… Yes, I was in the throws of having a ‘moment’. I'm not sure I have ever had a curry ‘moment’ before? But I must admit I quite liked it! The Methi was Bradford Curry personified and I'm going all goo goo again just thinking about it. The dark, dry, rich stew, with abundant, slightly disintegrating, meat and the underlying fenugreek flavor - giving the now understood slightly ‘dusty’ (for want of a better word) taste - melted in the mouth and was persuaded into my mouth with gusto utilizing the included garlic naan.
Curry Heaven. No other words do it justice. Curry Heaven
Wednesday 8 February 2012
International #1
Last Thursday it was deemed an appropriate time to once again pop to the International to eat Bradford Curry.
 |
| International |
After arriving in Bradford a little early for their midday opening time, Izzy and me cruised the streets of Bradford scoping out possibilities for future Bradford Curry easting opportunities. Some were spotted and noted – watch this space.
 |
| Izzy and Naan |
Well, we were through the door of the International just about bang on midday, and there was already a table of six girls and a further table of six workmen – how these people always beat us I’ll never know? They must sleep there or something?
A quick dinner was the order of the day, and no time was wasted perusing the menu, or any such nonsense, and our fish pakora and Special Karahi (lamb, chicken and prawns) with naan order was efficiently dispatched to the kitchen.
 |
| Mixed Karahi |
No significant time passed before our piping hot, wonderfully aromatic and fresh fodder arrived. On this occasion, the food seemed a little spicy for Izzy, but she persevered – bless. To the more sophisticated mature palate however, it was business as usual. The Mixed Karahi seemed a little more ‘saucy’ than the usual rock hard bone dry Trad Brad Curries we usually experience at The International, but ultimately this simply offered more naan dunking opportunities.
The International is simply a wonderful Bradford Curry eating Experience.
ors d'oeuvre to the main course
– which we didn’t know at the time was going to happen – but did - a Saturday
Night International Curry. Whoop
Whoop!!!
Tuesday 31 January 2012
The Madras - Hull
Yes yes yes I know this is a blog
dedicated to Bradford Curry, and over recent months there have been blogs about
So a late afternoons drinking and
night out to the Hull Truck Company Theatre, to see Once Upon a Time in Wigan,
resulted in two very hungry Bradford Curry Club members on the prowl for Hull
based curry come 11pm. Although once a
student in Hull (20yrs ago), my knowledge of current curry restaurants is very
limited to say the least – non existent would be more accurate, and I seem to
remember that surviving on 9p noodles and fish fingers was the order of the day
back then, rather than swanky dinning.
Something my waistline thanked me for it must be said.
So, a quick ‘best curry in Hull Analby Road
I think because of the time of
night, when we arrived we were the only dinners. But the staff were very friendly and
accommodating, even though I think perhaps they were getting ready to go
home. I found myself sat looking out of
the window of the rather large open restaurant, so paid little attention to the
décor – suffice to say I think it was very clean, and presentable, in that kind
of modern way.
Drinks (larger on draft) and
popdoms ordered, along with the sizzling started, a curry each, a garlic naan
and the chapattis!! Phew.
The Sizzling starter as ace had all
the usual suspect present. Seekh Kebab,
chops, ect. All well seasoned, tasty and
well cooked.
I can’t remember the name of the
lamb based curry I ordered, as it was in part recommended by the waiter. I can say though that it was excellent, and
seemed a little reminiscent of a Dopiaza (although it wasn’t – as it was off
the specials menu and defo had a name I hadn’t come across) as it included
large pieces of juicy onion. The dish as
a whole was very pleasantly gloopy – perfect for dipping the garlic naan in -
and perfectly spiced. I didn’t hear any
complaints from the Mrs either regarding her curry.
The Madras
Wednesday 25 January 2012
Akbar’s The Café
 |
| Akbar's The Cafe from the side |
Akbar’s is a Bradford
institution, and was originally/still is considered by this merry band of Bradford Curry
eaters to be THE Bradford Curry by which ALL others should be judged… A bold statement, but one which reflects the
high regard we, as individuals, all held for the restaurant prior to the birth
of the Club.
However, the last, and only
documented, time, we have visited Akbar’s proper (not the Cafe) as the Bradford Curry Club, was
on an incredibly busy night and, although we couldn’t fault the service or
food, the atmosphere was slightly lacking.
The blog of the evening can be viewed here.
 |
| An Akbar's napkin |
Now, to be honest, we have
visited Akbar’s The Café too before, but it was not documented. If I remember rightly - Bradford Curry offered that day was 'Ten Men' - but we were not too keen on the café concept, and
didn’t think the likes of lasagne, burgers, etc. had a place on a hard core
Bradford Curry House menu. However, we
now admit that those views were a little snobby and narrow-minded, and these days we embrace such forward
thinking ideas.
So how about Akbar’s The Café –
how does it fair?
It fairs very well thank you
very much.
Although one of the first people through the door on the dot at noon, the Café soon filled, and the ultra modern glass,
stainless steel and brown leatherette was all very cool and made for an comfy
and relaxed location to spend an hour or so.
 |
| Lamb Handi and Tandori Roti |
Our order was taken and the food
soon arrived. Not perhaps as lightening quick as
some other restaurants visited recently, but it’s not a race at the end of the
day – and still a darn site faster than McDonalds if you order a Big Mac
without the gherkin!! Fish Masala, Lamb
Handi and two Tandori Roti’s provided plenty of food for the Curry Monster Izzy
and me. Izzy tucked into the Fish Masala
with gusto and, when I was reluctantly allowed to sample the fish, I can report
it was beautifully seasoned, soft, moist and well cooked. The Lamb Handi was also top draw and was
thick and dry. It was on the spicy side
it must be said – a little too much for Izzy – but was bob on for me. It was also noted to be - in a very good way –
garlicy, and it is definitely worth sampling.
MMmmmm. Post meal I was informed by a helpful member of staff that the curries can be made milder, and just to simply ask when ordering. Very accommodating, but sorry Izzy, you'll just have to suck in the pain and 'Man Up' if you want some of your Daddy's curry. I had my handi plain but
it can be ordered with spiniach, dall, chickpeas, etc, so is quite
customisable.
 |
| Izzy with Fish Masala |
There were no downsides at all
to note. The Café was clean and staff
excellent and I considered it great value for money. Speaking off the top of my head though,
perhaps for some hardened Bradford Curry eaters the super trendy interior might
grate slightly… who knows? That’s just
personal taste and I do know some people like that. There
is also the fact that Akbar’s is essentially a chain restaurant these days and
that might not necessarily appeal to those looking for, well, somewhere that is
not a chain?
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