Al Fresco Curry

So, it’s a lovely sunny day – perhaps one of the last we’re likely to see for the year – I’ve just finished footy training with my beautiful daughter, and it’s nearing dinner time…..  What shall we do?  Go for an al fresco curry of course.

Isabella and Grand Pa tuck in

Now, as far as I’m aware, only Café Regal in Bradford, offer such a dinning experience, so it was there we ventured.

We arrived pretty early and not many people were in.  But we didn’t worry, and dived straight in with full mashings of Lamb and cheese kebabs – Izzy’s fave, Lamb Handi for me, and Channa Masala for Big Tone.  Accompanied by an Aloo Paratha and a garlic naan – oh and also a Mango Lasi for Izz Whizz.

Isabella enjoyed the chicken and cheese kebabs the most

The lamb and cheese kebabs are something a little different and perfectly acceptable – although this blogger still prefers the traditional shish kebab if I’m completely honest.  The kebab comprises minced chicken with the cheese kind of incorporated into it??  The channa masala was very good, with the chick peas very well cooked, and the dish almost taking on a mushy pea texture – in a good way.  The Lamb Handi was good, but perhaps a little run of the mill, and very oily.

The meal was followed by a few complimentary sweets which was a nice touch.

Cafe Regal is an excellent place to visit

Overall an excellent experience and one I hope to re visit on future sunny days.  However, the outdoor seating is not the only positive aspect to Café Regal, and its large sweet shop and trendy café are worth a visit any time of the day or night.

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

What to do during the quiet times.....

Been a bit quiet on the Bradford Curry Eating front recently - due to one thing or another. So, what does the Bradford Curry addict do in such occasions?

Perhaps at this junction I should make a small confession – I know this is the Bradford Curry Blog and I am John the Bradford Curry Blogger, but I don’t actually live in Bradford!! Shock horror? I actually live in a Leeds postcode area – but only 15mins from Bradford – so I hope that qualifies me to some extent?

So, back to the plot….. Firstly there is the local takeaway. Now, there a couple of options local to us, including branch of the Leeds Road, Bradford based Saffron Desi. However, my fave squeeze at the moment is Menston Spice (http://www.menstonspice.com/), who’s Chicken Chaat on a Puree and Naga (naga chilli imported from Bangladesh) are delicious. They also do duck, lobster, scallop and tropical fish specials, so a big up to them.

Wife out on the town, baby in bed…. What to do? Menston Spice CCcccuuuurryyyyyyyy

Secondly, and perhaps the more satisfying option, is the DIY option. Now, in all fairness, although not a bad cook, it is the Mrs department when it comes to wrestling up a curry. She does a cracker, and I am more than happy with my commi chef role.

Onion Bhaji process:

Chicken and Spinach – Bish bash bosh:

Lynda does the business:

World Curry Festival

YYyyyyyyyesssssssss!!!!

http://www.worldcurryfestival.com/

Bradford Curry Capital 2011 Bid

Please follow link below and lets get the ball rolling....

http://www.visitbradford.com/food-drink/Curry-Capital-Status.asp

Kashmir you mess with my mind……

Kashmir 31/07/2011

Attendees: Jenny, Pete, Lilly, Dan, Rob, Gill, Lynda, Izzy and John

The day started with Lynda, Izzy and I taking part in the Bradford SkyRide – which allowed cyclists to circumnavigate Bradford city centre on closed roads. A good morning was had, and an appetite had been created for a spot of brunch.

The arrangement had been made to meet early (noon) at Omar’s (Home of Yorkshires Biggest Naans), and consultation with the website had suggested it’d be open, but as I wheezed my way up the side of the Alhambra, a call from Pete said Omar’s was very definitely closed. Bum!!

As the local saying goes round here…. ‘If in doubt default to the Kashmir’ so that’s what we did. It’s the staple curry in Bradford for this Blogger, and partly the reason for starting the Bradford Curry Club – as a means to try and get away from the place….

Credit to the Kashmir I guess but a little frustrating for me, who wants to be able to write about new experiences. Alas, it was a little early in the day, and most nearby establishments had yet to fire up their mighty tandors.

One thing about the Kashmir that has always surprised me is that no matter what time of day or night it is (and I’m sure in days of your, it was open 24hrs a day?? Seemed like

it any road) there are always people in!! And this occasion was no different, with two tables, totalling approximately ten diners, already tucking into yummy curry – at just past noon o’clock.

Service, as always, is ‘with a smile’, and orders were soon efficiently taken and dispatched to the kitchen. No sitting around here and twiddling your thumbs. Bish bash bosh basically!! The selection of onion bhajis and fish pakoras soon arrived and boy were they good. Always a strong point – the Kashmir does deliver good starters.

The mains, usually a little let down in my humble opinion, were also excellent on this visit. My Chana Masala, was full of flavour, and not oily at all. The Peshwari naan is the best in the business. Lynda’s Lamb Rogan Josh was also exceptional – dark, rich, melt in the mouth meaty (of a good quality) and dry – everything a Bradford curry should be.

All this for a total of just over £50 – to be honest you can’t go wrong really.

So yes, a new experience had been ‘experienced’ for want of a better word – actually being able to rave fully about the Kashmir for a change. Just Brill……

Bradford Curry School

Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: Hot chefs wanted at curry school

Lahore

Location

Lahore Cafe Bar,
52 Great Horton Road,
BD7 1AL
Bradford,
United Kingdom

Tel: 01274 308508

http://www.mylahore.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/mylahore?sk=info#!/mylahore?sk=wall

Time

18th June 2011 @ ~16:00

Attendees

Gemma, Noel, Jake, Jenny, Pete, Lilly, Dan, Lynda, Izzy and John

Local Watering Hole

The Sir Titus Salt (a Weatherspoon’s Pub) behind the, what was, the Queens Hall was chosen for a pre curry drink. “Not another ‘Witherspoons’” I here you cry but, I’m afraid to say, my knowledge of Bradfordian hostelries is limited to say the least. However, I’m happy to go on record as saying the Sir Titus Salt must be the best Wetherspoon’s in the land. It is a spectacular building inside – harking back to Victorian times I would have thought. It also has a dedicated children’s room, which Izzy managed to make all her own after staring out a couple who were sat in there when we arrived – good girl.

Expectations

Lahore had slipped below my radar, probably due to its geographical location - just below the Poly, nestled in a parade of what I thought were simple fast food takeaway’s. However, an esteemed member of the Bradford Curry Club drew my attention to the restaurant and, after a little t’interweb research it appeared it was going to be a little gem.

The Reality

Having four young children in our party – although adding to a very enjoyable late afternoon curry eating experience – did hinder somewhat the analysis of every mouthful of yummy curry.

This is a very popular restaurant – even at early tea time – and got progressively busier, and did not disappoint. It’s all very trendy, dare I say funky, décor inside, with a spiral staircase joining the four floors. We were seated on a large round table nestled in a bay window on the second floor. The menu is very varied and includes pasta, burgers, paninis, cake, ice cream, etc, along with curry – but don’t let this put you off – there seems to be shift towards this kind of dining experience in Bradford. Akbars Café springs to mind.

Following the speedy dispatch of poppadoms etc, the mixed grill starters, of kebabs, lamb chops etc, were ace, and had a really BBQy flavor, suggesting being cooked over charcoal as opposed to inside the tandor. They were also of a high quality and fresh – oh and cheap. However, I opted for the Aloo Paratha, which was very nice in its own way, and tasted a little of cinnamon, but defo wasn’t a patch on the mixed grill. That’s not taking anything away from the paratha you understand.

Meat Dopiaza was chosen as my main and it was pretty tasty stuff really. The meat was of good quality and the gravy rich and gloopy – I polished every last morsel off. The obligatory garlic naan was also ordered and had huge dollops of raw garlic smeared on top – Top draw as far as I’m concerned.

I didn’t hear any complaints from the kids re their korma either. However, my little one had managed to fill herself up on lassi and poppadoms, and didn’t really attack the korma with the usual gusto – lesson learnt there I feel?? However, she seemed to find room for ice cream?? Strange that??

Drinks Policy and range

The above was lubricated down the neck hole with a couple of jugs of Lassi and water – no booze here I’m afraid.

Highlights

The chargrilled mixed grill starters. Other ‘From the Grill’ offerings were available, and I think maybe the place to head on any following visits.

Lowlights

Non really. No booze I suppose is a bit of an issue, for me any road, especially if you’re ‘out out’.

The Damage

The total bill for six adults and five babies came to about £90 inc. tip. Pretty reasonably I think? But, of course, this is without drinks.

Aftermath

All fit and healthy the following day.

Overall

Funky, good menu, reasonable, staff friendly. Really good.

Karachi 15/05/2011

Location

15 Neal Street
Bradford BD5 0BX

Tel: 01274 732 015

Time

15th May 2011 @ ~15:00

Attendees

Lynda, Izzy, Claire, Freya, Rob, Gill and John

Local Watering Hole

The Lloyds Bar (a Weatherspoon’s Pub) in Centenary Square was chosen for a pre curry drink. Nothing else to say on the matter really – it’s a Weatherspoons. Centenary Square is nice enough though, in a modern kind of way and, once all the building work opposite is complete, with an inner city lake of all things, I dare say it’ll be a very pleasant place to while away a few hours.


Expectations

My expectations were very high on this occasion. This was to be only my second visit ever, but remember being blown away by the Lamb and Spinach Balti (LSB) – as championed by Rick Stein - last time, and the general overall quality of the fodder excelent.

I was eager to give the LSB another go.

The Reality

Good in general. Jugs of water and a small plate of onion, tomato and yoghurt where immediately placed on the table once seated. However, the onion was very tired and the less said about it the better I feel.

My starter, on this occasion the mushroom pakora, was certianly nothing to look at – all shriveled up like a plate of slugs – but the taste was there. I think they’d been microwaved, if I’m honest, as the batter coating was a little soggy, and the already mentioned shriveledness again suggested this method had been adopted – However, no ‘ping’ was detected during our wait, so who knows. The starters were not as ‘fresh’ looking or tasting as our previous visit I’m sure.

Poppadoms and pickle tray preceded the starters and were perfectly acceptable – enough mango chuckney was provided to sink a battle ship and more than saw the meal out.


Not that you’d want to smother your Rick Stein endorsed LSB in mango chuckney it has to be said!!! It really is excellent – and I’m sure it’s got to be one of the best in town…. Sure of it. One comment from the group was that the meat was starting to fall to pieces a little and, if it had been allowed to go further would have been a problem probably, but here it was just enough to add to the thick, rich gravy. The meat, I thought, was also of excellent quality, and melted in the mouth – although this could be the product of over stewing as noted in the disintegrating meat??

The korma and dansak dishes were popular with the babies – as were the mushroom pakora funnily enough…. See what do I know??

3No. chappatis are issued as standard with all main courses. Naans and rice are extra.

Drinks Policy and range

The alcohol policy is strictly BYO. I took a few bottles of Kingfisher. Also, Karachi has range of fizzy drinks and lassi (mango and plain) on offer. Lassi wasn’t taken on during this visit.


Highlights

It was the Lamb and Spinach Balti for me. It is almost perfect. 9/10.

Lowlights

The starters were a definite let down – especially when compared to the quality of my main.

The Damage

The total bill for five adults and two babies came to just over £50. Pretty reasonably I think? But, of course, this is without drinks.

Aftermath

Nothing to speak about - I can report all fit and healthy the following day.

Overall

No complaints with the service for a restaurant such as this – ie basic. Staff friendly etc and The LSB is to die for and no doubt will keep me going back and back in the future.

Nawaab 30/04/2011

Location

Nawaab
32 Manor Row
Bradford,
West Yorkshire
BD1 4QE

Tell: 01274 720 371

Web: nawaabbradford.co.uk‎

Time

30th April 2011 @ ~20:00

Attendees

Jaz, Lynda, Chris, Jenna and John

Pre-Curry Watering Hole

The Shoulder of Mutton (a Sam Smiths Pub) was chosen for pre curry drinks on this occasion. The ‘Shoulder’ was about 5mins walk down the road and served up the usual Sammy Smiths type of thing. An odd smell of disinfectant didn’t spoil my pint of Alpine. I knew of a pub straight opposite Nawaab, but on arrival to the restaurant, the pub appeared to have closed down – so good job we didn’t head straight there

Expectations

My expectations were high to be honest. Naawab has always had a good reputation in Bradford, and got ‘Best Curry in Bradford’ in my 1999 Curry Guide I seem to remember. I was expecting a top notch do.

However, an early LUFC match had meant boozing from 09:30, and by the time I got to Bradford, I was a little worse for wear!!! Therefore my recount of the evening is somewhat jaded – and non existent in part.

The Reality

A hazy munch through a curry that – due to extreme hunger – barely touched the sides. I fear, dear reader, that you going to get about as much out of reading this review as I got from the curry that evening!

I recall masala fish for starters, and found it very good. Perhaps not quite as good as Mumtaz – who arguably do the best masala fish – but perfectly yummy.

Main course I can’t remember?? Probably some sort of lamb balti from the specials menu. An empty bowl speaks volumes for it’s quality though I’m sure. Mated with a garlic naan I had no complaints.

Chris has the award winning Nawaab Delight – that seems very similar to the award winning Saffron Delight – served up at the Safron’s of this world funnily enough. I had it – or its Saffron sistren at least - in the past and found it overly rich and creamy – a Korma on ‘roids I guess. Not for me.

The décor is worth a mention – very grand. The restaurant is contained within some sort of old Victorian/Industrial Revolution style building and all sorts of columns, big windows and high ceiling action can be found. Nice and clean etc. in side.

Drinks Policy and range

Licensed. I don’t think any draft beer was available but bottles of both Kingfisher and Cobra were. I guess wine will have been too. A rather snazzy ‘Alcohol Free’ room was available at the rear of the restaurant, if you’re that way inclined.

Highlights

It was the fish Masala for me.

Lowlights

Drinking too much through the day, and resulting in hazy recollection of the evening. Food wise, the ‘award winning’ Nawaab Delight – nothing wrong with it – if you like rich creamy curries - but nothing special either.

The Damage

Pretty reasonably I think? I think we paid about £20 each inc drinks!! For fish and Specials I thought that was very reasonable

Aftershock

Non to speak about – a headache the following morning can’t be blamed on the Nawaab Delight unfortunately!!

Overall

I was more than happy with my Nawaab experience. Nice surroundings, food, service, bill. Etc. Worth a visit I say.

Regal Cafe - 26/03/2011

Attendees: Gemma, Jenny, Lilly, Dan, Lynda, Izzy and me

Just a quickie this month – If I don’t write something soon I’ll forget what happened??

Not that anything ‘happened’ so don’t get too excited.

Our trip to Regal Café occurred without hitch I’m afraid. Nice setting though, with its open and airy café style seating arrangement – as it turned out there was plenty of room around the tables for the smaller ones in our group to have a good roam around.


I couldn’t really fault my experience, no booze at all either (note for future??) – Which usually, perhaps sometimes falsely, improves curry eating experiences!! Also, I thought the waiter was a little fussy because I ordered supposed ‘breakfast’ dishes – it was mid afternoon – and he seemed to take great pleasure in pointing this fact out??? No mention on the menu mind? I wondered if he’d heard of ‘All Day Breakfast’?


My first (breakfast??) dish was Dahi Bhalay (Dahi Vada), apparently a very popular Lahore street food dish, and comprised a bowl containing a large soya dumpling covered in a yogurt curry sauce – very different to anything this BCC member has ever had before – very yogurty with only a hint of curry spice?? It did look like it should be eaten at breakfast it has to be said. It must be popular though because tubs of the stuff were available to purchase in the attached deli/shop – more of which later.


For main I chose the Niharee, from the Regal Special, which was basically a lamb shank in a very thin curry sauce. Pretty authentic dish by all accounts, and quite different to the normal ‘British Curry’s’ we are used to I guess? The sauce was thin and quite mild tasting, but could be pepped up with the addition of fresh ginger, chilli and garam masala, which accompanied the main on a side plate. The meat was ace and just fell off the bone – the sauce was nothing special and a bit soupy – requiring a spoon to eat successfully.

The Cheese & Chicken Kebab and Korma seemed to go down well with the young ones, so Regal Café gets top marks in that department.


The adjoined deli/shop was probably my favorite aspect of the afternoon (I struggle to fully enjoy my curry eating experience without a couple of cold lagers) and had a massive array of sweets and savories on offer. A small box of sweeties was purchased and consumed over the following days – there where no complaints from Lynda, Izzy or myself regarding their quality.


So overall, Regal Café provided a generally pleasant experience, and was an enjoyable place to visit. I bit off the beaten track, so doesn’t spring immediately to mind when considering a venue for impromptu curry eating but worth a visit if nothing else I reckon?

John

 

Shimal Spice, Shipley 19/02/2011

Attendees: Caz, Simon, Jenny, Pete, Lynda and me

Simple review for this one…… I think Shimla Spice might be my new favorite curry house. Bish Bosh.


There’s not really much else to say – I couldn’t really fault my experience, aided by the booze prior to the visit and the BYO policy, and Shimla has restored my faith in the Bradford curry scene. My faith was waning slightly, after a recent succession of average curries and poor service.


I feel I should elaborate slightly though for the benefit of others…… in fact I won’t bother – just go when you get the chance – I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. The sizzler starter was piled high with meat, a little fish, and sweet onions and my mixed special kahari type main was sumptuous to the point that I felt I could’ve kept eating all night. I polished the lot off and was begging for more!!! Not small portions either just yummy.


To be overly fussy, it could be argued that Shimla is just another Akbars clone, with pink and blue neon lights, lots glass and lots of chrome – but who cares, it’s a formula that clearly works and is popular. The restaurant was buzzing on our arrival and all night long. Oh and the menu was a little long winded. Loads of choice but I got bored reading it!!!


The one thing that was a little annoying was what seemed like constant playing of Happy Birthday. Once or twice is fair enough but this seemed almost constant. I feel the Shipley locals may have been pulling fast ones – I cannot believe there to be so many birthdays on one day???


I should restrain my excitement a little perhaps, and not get carried away with myself, until further research has been carried out that is. Only then shall Shimal Spice (rightly??) take its place as one of the top dog Bradford curry joints.

John

Prashad 30/12/2010 AGM

Attendees: Drew, Ben, Win, Fran, Claire, Freya, Jenny, Pete, Rob, Lynda, Izzy and John

Well how things have changed in the space of a year. This time last year Prashad was a small café style restaurant and deli, serving up excellent quality vegetarian cuisine, tucked down a side street in Bradford. However, after their rollercoaster ride of reaching the final of Gordon Ramsay’s Best Restaurant TV competition, Prashad has now reached dizzying heights of popularity.

Our Prashad experience started the week prior to our visit, whilst booking the table. Even though our scheduled visit was a Thursday afternoon, I thought it would be best to book, or at least warn them of our impending arrival. I was surprised to be told that they were struggling for space but should be able to accommodate our 16 person party (14 adults and 2 babies – which seems like a lot of detail at the moment but will all become apparent). A further surprise was to be asked to pay a £5/head deposit – due to the size of the party – and that the deposit would be lost if any of the party dropped out!!! Not a brilliant start on the customer service front I thought – I have never been asked anywhere to leave a deposit before?? It became apparent during our conversation that the restaurant had been extended (into the deli it later turns out) and that we were effectively booking the full room. So £80 (16 people) paid up front.

So the day of our visit arrived and we all started to congregate at the restaurant. Prashad has also expanded across the road with the recent Prashad Lounge – a small room with, ‘front of house’ style counter, leather sofas and Gordon Ramsay’s TV programme on a loop. The poor boy working there said the constant airing of the telly programme was sending him mad – I can sympathise!! The Lounge is also decorated in News Paper cutting etc for you to read as you wait for your table.

Once your table is ready you are ushered across the road towards the restaurant. We were actually seated in the main (I say main but it is tiny) restaurant on two separate tables, as opposed to the large single table and own room as promised on the phone - but, nah to worry, we had lost some and gained some people from our party so ended up with twelve.

The food, as discussed here previously, was excellent. The Pethis (or ‘Award Winning Pethis’ as we were corrected by our waiter) were yummy and Lynda and I shared the Monster Dosa. It was massive – it must have been 1m long - and had to be carried out spanning two plates and positioned on an adjacent table. Not that size is everything mind, and dosa was well yummy.

On receipt of the bill we had prepared ourselves to loose £20 from the deposit for the people who’d dropped out, and only see a £60 deduction on the bill. But I thought some lee way would be accommodated and, considering we still brought a party of twelve and with the supposed ‘good customer service’ Prashad pride themselves on, I thought the full deposit would be honoured. How wrong I was, and I we were shocked to see only £50 of the deposit was deducted from the bill (6No. people less that the original booking)?? According to the waiter, no deposit would have been taken for the babies and, therefore, we were effectively six people down on the original booking. I explained what deposit I had paid, and it was a total, i.e. per head, etc, and asked to speak to the manager. The waiter disappeared into the back but returned with the same argument. Not one for confrontation myself, I simply shrugged it off. It was £10 (well £30!!) on a hefty bill - a total of nearly £200!! Although generally generous, no tip was left on this occasion, however, it didn’t seam appropriate.

So all in all the food is good but we did leave with a sour taste in our mouths and feeling rather ripped off to the tune of £30.

I would like to think I would return one day because the grub is so good, but I feel we received pretty bad service, bordering on day light robbery, and I think my hard earned cash is better spent elsewhere.