Latest reviews for Restaurants in Tufnell Park, London, United Kingdom

Bangalore Brasserie - by easymarc123

easymarc123 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:42:05 +0000

Review by easymarc123

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7267 7550

The food at this place is the best Indian food I've had in any restaurant, and I am a huge Indophile.
Having been there a lot I can recommend any of the balti specials -especially the palok dishes - but regularly return to Chicken Mirchi.
It's pretty cheap for London, the food is amazing, and the staff really friendly. The only problem is that it's rarely busy - probably due to location - which can make it feel slightly vacuous - on the plus side of this, you'll get your food quicker! I love this place and still maintain it's the best Indian in London.The food at this place is the best Indian food I've had in any restaurant, and I am a huge Indophile.
Having been there a lot I can recommend any of the balti specials -especially the palok dishes - but regularly return to Chicken Mirchi.
It's pretty cheap for London, the food is amazing, and the staff really friendly. The only problem is that it's rarely busy - probably due to location - which can make it feel slightly vacuous - on the plus side of this, you'll get your food quicker! I love this place and still maintain it's the best Indian in London.

The Spice - by stavros

stavros — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:49:53 +0000

Review by stavros

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7482 2700

Tags: indian, conservatory, takeaway

I just ordered some food from The Spice, and everything was great. The Tandoori chicken was very well presented and tasty, and the Vindaloo chicken was also very tasty but very very hot. It was quite filling for 9 pounds (partly due to the pint of milk I had to drink to get rid of the burning), and overall I would recommend it without hesitation. Even the guy who delivered the food was very nice and polite!I just ordered some food from The Spice, and everything was great. The Tandoori chicken was very well presented and tasty, and the Vindaloo chicken was also very tasty but very very hot. It was quite filling for 9 pounds (partly due to the pint of milk I had to drink to get rid of the burning), and overall I would recommend it without hesitation. Even the guy who delivered the food was very nice and polite!

Blue Moon Cafe - Favorite Thai Cafe by mrhollow

mrhollow — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:33:45 +0000

Review by mrhollow

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7267 8672

Tags: thai, romantic, crowded

Favorite Food Good value.

Favorite Food Good value.

Red - disappointing by nubianprincess

nubianprincess — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:41:38 +0000

Review by nubianprincess

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7482 7300

Website: http://www.redrestaurant.co.uk

Tags: takeaway, terrace, mediterranean

i went here for a work leaving lunch this week. The actual venue looks appealing and the decor is inviting. The food was good and it was a large portion. Unfortunately the meals took a long time to arrive- about 1 hour- and then a few of our orders were not correct. This took a while to rectify too. The waiter we had was a bit flustered and certainly didn't appear to have graduated from' waiter etiquette school'! One of the younger waiters was more attentive and helped clarify the bill, as again there were some mistakes there too. Our experience didn't appear to be isolated- the people on the table next to us also had incorrect orders and were in the restaurant even longer than us!

That said, the food was good and i would like to think that this was just a bad day for them. One of my work colleagues went a couple of weeks before and said that she had no problems.

It's not the cheapest meal, but it is close to the station and if i was meeting friends and in and around the area then i would try it again.i went here for a work leaving lunch this week. The actual venue looks appealing and the decor is inviting. The food was good and it was a large portion. Unfortunately the meals took a long time to arrive- about 1 hour- and then a few of our orders were not correct. This took a while to rectify too. The waiter we had was a bit flustered and certainly didn't appear to have graduated from' waiter etiquette school'! One of the younger waiters was more attentive and helped clarify the bill, as again there were some mistakes there too. Our experience didn't appear to be isolated- the people on the table next to us also had incorrect orders and were in the restaurant even longer than us!

That said, the food was good and i would like to think that this was just a bad day for them. One of my work colleagues went a couple of weeks before and said that she had no problems.

It's not the cheapest meal, but it is close to the station and if i was meeting friends and in and around the area then i would try it again.

Eatzone Noodle House - Extremely, extremely tasty by curlyfries

curlyfries — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:39:24 +0000

Review by curlyfries

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7485 0152

Tags: good value, cheap eat, malaysian

I cannot believe how long I have lived round the corner from Eatzone and never eaten there. It has always appeared lifeless when I walked past so I never even thought of looking at the menu. However I gradually heard good words about it and started thinking maybe I should have a go...

...and tonight was the night. I've been ill for a few days and totally off my food (unheard of) so tonight was my 'I think I'd quite like to eat again' night and all I could think about was a big bowl of noodles. So off I went.

Still a bit spaced out from being poorly I looked at the menu, saw "char kwai teow" (Â£6.50), thought to myself "ate that in Malaysia; can't remember what it is but everything I ate in Malaysia was f*cking delicious", so picked that and some meat dumplings, because, well, when doesn't a meat dumpling perk you up?

There were a few people in there very contentedly eating big bowls of soup and mounds of fluffy white rice but there wasn't much of an atmosphere - well, why would there be in a white room with a few wooden benches - but who needs atmosphere for this kind of eating? I took my food away although I'd certainly go back there with a friend or a newspaper: can't say the staff were over-friendly but my food was ready in the time it took me to get to the cash machine and back.

And first meal in days or not, it was absolutely spot on. A generous helping of perfectly floppy, medium-thickness rice noodles, several enormous, meaty, curled-up prawns, thin strips of pork and a few bean sprouts, spring onions and some really tasty splatters of fried egg - and when do you ever say that about the egg you get in a takeaway? I literally could have been eating it in Malaysia, which is an extraordinary thing to say. The four steamed dumplings were plump and juicy and came with a zingy (sorry, awful word) dipping sauce for Â£4. Just what the doctored ordered. Which is good, because the first lot of antibiotics didn't work.

So I'd recommend a trip here wholeheartedly, it's excellent value and incredibly tasty and I'm rather pleased I'm moving away from K Town for a month because frankly, from now on I'm going to find it very hard to resist.I cannot believe how long I have lived round the corner from Eatzone and never eaten there. It has always appeared lifeless when I walked past so I never even thought of looking at the menu. However I gradually heard good words about it and started thinking maybe I should have a go...

...and tonight was the night. I've been ill for a few days and totally off my food (unheard of) so tonight was my 'I think I'd quite like to eat again' night and all I could think about was a big bowl of noodles. So off I went.

Still a bit spaced out from being poorly I looked at the menu, saw "char kwai teow" (Â£6.50), thought to myself "ate that in Malaysia; can't remember what it is but everything I ate in Malaysia was f*cking delicious", so picked that and some meat dumplings, because, well, when doesn't a meat dumpling perk you up?

There were a few people in there very contentedly eating big bowls of soup and mounds of fluffy white rice but there wasn't much of an atmosphere - well, why would there be in a white room with a few wooden benches - but who needs atmosphere for this kind of eating? I took my food away although I'd certainly go back there with a friend or a newspaper: can't say the staff were over-friendly but my food was ready in the time it took me to get to the cash machine and back.

And first meal in days or not, it was absolutely spot on. A generous helping of perfectly floppy, medium-thickness rice noodles, several enormous, meaty, curled-up prawns, thin strips of pork and a few bean sprouts, spring onions and some really tasty splatters of fried egg - and when do you ever say that about the egg you get in a takeaway? I literally could have been eating it in Malaysia, which is an extraordinary thing to say. The four steamed dumplings were plump and juicy and came with a zingy (sorry, awful word) dipping sauce for Â£4. Just what the doctored ordered. Which is good, because the first lot of antibiotics didn't work.

So I'd recommend a trip here wholeheartedly, it's excellent value and incredibly tasty and I'm rather pleased I'm moving away from K Town for a month because frankly, from now on I'm going to find it very hard to resist.

Peking Palace - Well worth repeated visits ! by EugeneNyunt

EugeneNyunt — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 08:09:58 +0000

Review by EugeneNyunt

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7281 8989

Website: http://www.thepekingpalace.com

Tags: chinese, family & home feel, lively

This nicely decked out restaurant serves the usual vegetarian delights to those with an Asian palate. No roadkill/ chicken, its fake meats are quite unlike the rubbery fare one might be more acquainted with from visits to all you can eat buffets.
I had among other things the mock duck - and this was a definite delight - visually appealing, tender and ever so slightly sweet, the person who went with me assessed the food as out of this world marvellous.
Although the restaurant's set at the top of a nasty road, it's far better than the dump that is tourist-infested Camden on a weekend; there the place becomes a dumping ground for polystyrene boxes coated in the remnants of deep-fried pigeon nuggets and ketchup.
If you're after peace and quiet, no nonsense, a place to chat seriously and thoughtfully, and great food not based on cruelty then I'd suggest this unique place. Bravo !This nicely decked out restaurant serves the usual vegetarian delights to those with an Asian palate. No roadkill/ chicken, its fake meats are quite unlike the rubbery fare one might be more acquainted with from visits to all you can eat buffets.
I had among other things the mock duck - and this was a definite delight - visually appealing, tender and ever so slightly sweet, the person who went with me assessed the food as out of this world marvellous.
Although the restaurant's set at the top of a nasty road, it's far better than the dump that is tourist-infested Camden on a weekend; there the place becomes a dumping ground for polystyrene boxes coated in the remnants of deep-fried pigeon nuggets and ketchup.
If you're after peace and quiet, no nonsense, a place to chat seriously and thoughtfully, and great food not based on cruelty then I'd suggest this unique place. Bravo !

Spaghetti House - If it's open... please go on in. by curlyfries

curlyfries — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:01:01 +0000

Review by curlyfries

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7485 7984

Tags: cosy, italian, lively

Here, here: this place is a cracker. Huge plates of tasty, filling food at ludicrously cheap prices in a very warm and friendly little room filled with an interesting mix of people. One thing: never have any idea when it's going to be open. Love it.Here, here: this place is a cracker. Huge plates of tasty, filling food at ludicrously cheap prices in a very warm and friendly little room filled with an interesting mix of people. One thing: never have any idea when it's going to be open. Love it.

Gulshaan - by LOVEANDKATE

LOVEANDKATE — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:41:26 +0000

Review by LOVEANDKATE

Rating: 4.00

Tags: indian, good value

I totally love this Indian - its not a great place to sit in and eat - but what it lacks in decor and ambiance - it surprises in taste and service.

I usually get take away - its really efficient and they have some interesting specials.

It tastes really fresh and the butter murgh is especially good.I totally love this Indian - its not a great place to sit in and eat - but what it lacks in decor and ambiance - it surprises in taste and service.

I usually get take away - its really efficient and they have some interesting specials.

It tastes really fresh and the butter murgh is especially good.

Da Milano - da milano dump by tippout

tippout — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:31:19 +0000

Review by tippout

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7263 1360

Tags: takeaway

Avoid this place at all costs it is the WORST restaurant food i have ever tasted bland, tasteless and awful service when we complained about the food the heavy waiter was rude and aggressive ! what happened to customer service !!Avoid this place at all costs it is the WORST restaurant food i have ever tasted bland, tasteless and awful service when we complained about the food the heavy waiter was rude and aggressive ! what happened to customer service !!

The Sitara - Fingerpoppin' food and Jazzy music by stantoncarlisle

stantoncarlisle — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:39:11 +0000

Review by stantoncarlisle

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7281 0649

Tags: indian, lively, good value

Food here is scrumptious, well-prepared and presented and nicely flavoured by London Indian restuarant standards(which are lower than a limbo-ing love snake ) - if theres somewhere better I'd like to know about it. Portions are small-ish and well-priced. The jazzy joint is clean, not spotless - my shoes did a velco like stick to the floor - overall it looks shiny and fresh. Red walls with a skew-whiff assortment of Jazz photos and posters from the Rat-Pack to John Coltrane everything is covered. Music wise the background sounds need a little fine tuning - they veer from lounge to pedestrian bop. A great place that could be a world class noshery if the music matched the munchies.Food here is scrumptious, well-prepared and presented and nicely flavoured by London Indian restuarant standards(which are lower than a limbo-ing love snake ) - if theres somewhere better I'd like to know about it. Portions are small-ish and well-priced. The jazzy joint is clean, not spotless - my shoes did a velco like stick to the floor - overall it looks shiny and fresh. Red walls with a skew-whiff assortment of Jazz photos and posters from the Rat-Pack to John Coltrane everything is covered. Music wise the background sounds need a little fine tuning - they veer from lounge to pedestrian bop. A great place that could be a world class noshery if the music matched the munchies.

Bar Lorca Tufnell Park - Has its uses by curlyfries

curlyfries — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:14:24 +0000

Review by curlyfries

Rating: 2.00Having managed to avoid this place for years I ended up in here as a bit of a last resort a couple of weeks ago since there aren't exactly a wealth of places to hang out late at night around this part of town. Totally lacking in any atmosphere at all, the interior is dreadful but the mohitos are surprisingly good.Having managed to avoid this place for years I ended up in here as a bit of a last resort a couple of weeks ago since there aren't exactly a wealth of places to hang out late at night around this part of town. Totally lacking in any atmosphere at all, the interior is dreadful but the mohitos are surprisingly good.

Archgate Cafe - real review! by simon1

simon1 — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:21:38 +0000

Review by simon1

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7272 2575

Tags: mediterranean, good value, cheap eat

having read a few good reviews on this place we went along for my birthday..the decoration was what we expected so no problems there
we had the top meze which was served with only 1 pitta bread each..we asked for more and were charged for it on the bill!
there was no fish course..prawns squid etc just meat which although was well cooked left us feeling hungry for more
for anyone to write a good review raving about the food here then im sorry but they have never had a good turkish/greek meal or are friends of the owner!
meza at £17 a head where you are then charged for extra pitta is a joke
all other mezas i have had ive been offered more of the starters..non stop pittas and a fish course between the starters and meat
steer clear of this place if you really want a good turkish meal!
as for tummy fillers.. one piece of haloumi not much bigger than a 2 pence piece, no pork with the main and just a few bite sized pieces of meat!, no tarmosolata or dolmados with the starters..this place really just givers you cheap "fillers" but still charge the normal prices!..2 teaspoons of normal coleslaw! every thing was 2 teaspoons worth..really not happy having eaten there this evening..cant comment on teh cafe breafast side of things although i feel that it cant be any worse than there "turkish" food..real ripp off!having read a few good reviews on this place we went along for my birthday..the decoration was what we expected so no problems there
we had the top meze which was served with only 1 pitta bread each..we asked for more and were charged for it on the bill!
there was no fish course..prawns squid etc just meat which although was well cooked left us feeling hungry for more
for anyone to write a good review raving about the food here then im sorry but they have never had a good turkish/greek meal or are friends of the owner!
meza at £17 a head where you are then charged for extra pitta is a joke
all other mezas i have had ive been offered more of the starters..non stop pittas and a fish course between the starters and meat
steer clear of this place if you really want a good turkish meal!
as for tummy fillers.. one piece of haloumi not much bigger than a 2 pence piece, no pork with the main and just a few bite sized pieces of meat!, no tarmosolata or dolmados with the starters..this place really just givers you cheap "fillers" but still charge the normal prices!..2 teaspoons of normal coleslaw! every thing was 2 teaspoons worth..really not happy having eaten there this evening..cant comment on teh cafe breafast side of things although i feel that it cant be any worse than there "turkish" food..real ripp off!

El Molino Tapas Bar - Solid Local Tapas by kittylyst

kittylyst — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:25:16 +0000

Review by kittylyst

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7700 4312

Website: http://www.elmolinolondon.co.uk

Tags: spanish, lively, bar

This is one of a number of solid local restaurants on the Holloway Road - not really places to trek out to, but perfectly acceptable if you're in the area or live locally.

The food is pretty standard tapas (as far as I can tell, tapas not really being one of my specialist styles of cuisine) but is moderately priced and more than made up for by an inexpensive wine list and a genuinely nice atmosphere.

Not really a place to come for a romantic dinner a deux - the place works much better with a larger group - especially on the way to or from the pub.

Vegetarians (and especially vegans) will tend to struggle with the menu.This is one of a number of solid local restaurants on the Holloway Road - not really places to trek out to, but perfectly acceptable if you're in the area or live locally.

The food is pretty standard tapas (as far as I can tell, tapas not really being one of my specialist styles of cuisine) but is moderately priced and more than made up for by an inexpensive wine list and a genuinely nice atmosphere.

Not really a place to come for a romantic dinner a deux - the place works much better with a larger group - especially on the way to or from the pub.

Vegetarians (and especially vegans) will tend to struggle with the menu.

Indian Ocean Tandoori Restaurant - Good Local Indian by kittylyst

kittylyst — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:22:32 +0000

Review by kittylyst

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7609 9963

Tags: indian, good value, family & home feel

This is the kind of Indian restaurant that it's always good to have on your doorstep.

The food is of superior quality (try the lime rice with garlic chicken), and the wine list is perfectly adequate, if somewhat restricted. Vegetarians and vegans are reasonably well looked after.

The ambience is good, and the staff are reasonably attentive - and if you're in a hurry (and tell them) they can feed you and send you on your way very quickly, which makes this a favourite for dinner before going to the 1920s cinema down the road.

Solid, above average local restaurant, although not somewhere necessarily to travel to visit without any other reason.This is the kind of Indian restaurant that it's always good to have on your doorstep.

The food is of superior quality (try the lime rice with garlic chicken), and the wine list is perfectly adequate, if somewhat restricted. Vegetarians and vegans are reasonably well looked after.

The ambience is good, and the staff are reasonably attentive - and if you're in a hurry (and tell them) they can feed you and send you on your way very quickly, which makes this a favourite for dinner before going to the 1920s cinema down the road.

Solid, above average local restaurant, although not somewhere necessarily to travel to visit without any other reason.

Lalibela - Kitschy Kitchen by stantoncarlisle

stantoncarlisle — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:38:16 +0000

Review by stantoncarlisle

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7284 0600

Tags: lively, takeaway, good value

My foodie mates adore this place and go into orgasmic paroxysms when they talk about(at length). I get the wooden masks, seats and the whole ethnic vibe. I like the idea of escaping from Kentish Town into a romantic noshery. It either works for you or it doesn't - perhaps I'm just not foodie enough(sniff). On the plus side the food was good - spicy meat dishes that you sop up with homemade bread. The staff, fun and friendly.My foodie mates adore this place and go into orgasmic paroxysms when they talk about(at length). I get the wooden masks, seats and the whole ethnic vibe. I like the idea of escaping from Kentish Town into a romantic noshery. It either works for you or it doesn't - perhaps I'm just not foodie enough(sniff). On the plus side the food was good - spicy meat dishes that you sop up with homemade bread. The staff, fun and friendly.

Monsoon - Super Tasty Dinner by raz_kidd

raz_kidd — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:01:13 +0000

Review by raz_kidd

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7284 0025

Website: http://www.monsoon.co.uk

Tags: indian, good value, cheap eat

I went here last night and it was fantastic. Great atmosphere - huge portions and very friendly staff. The drinks are pretty cheap too. The food tastes great and their Tandoori Chicken Tikka Massala is the best I have ever tried.

I will definately be going again!I went here last night and it was fantastic. Great atmosphere - huge portions and very friendly staff. The drinks are pretty cheap too. The food tastes great and their Tandoori Chicken Tikka Massala is the best I have ever tried.

I will definately be going again!

Pasta Habit - by sokratis

sokratis — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:00:12 +0000

Review by sokratis

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7267 9239

Tags: italian, vegetarian dishes

It used to be one of local takeaways when Indian or Chinese were just too exotic and we fancied some simple pasta or Italian food. Desceptively the owner is Greek, but don't let that put you off as they make all your typical Italian spaghettin (or other pasta dished) remarkably well. The portions are huge and you can trust the quality of the place as it's been there for years and is regularly busy with a bunch of locals. It used to be one of local takeaways when Indian or Chinese were just too exotic and we fancied some simple pasta or Italian food. Desceptively the owner is Greek, but don't let that put you off as they make all your typical Italian spaghettin (or other pasta dished) remarkably well. The portions are huge and you can trust the quality of the place as it's been there for years and is regularly busy with a bunch of locals.

Nid Ting Thai Restaurant - Better than Bangkok by thamshere

thamshere — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:18:13 +0000

Review by thamshere

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7263 0506

Tags: thai, romantic, good value

Nid Ting is an unassuming restaurant with very reasonably prices that serves up the best Thai food I've had this side of Thailand. It's better than a lot of the food I had in Thailand, too. Very traditional, friendly and very, very good. The Hot & Sour Soup is perfect, as are the Red, Green & Jungle curries. The chef's specials are superb - my favourite so far is the Steamed Tailapia which was perfectly cooked and delicately flavoured.

It's not fine dining but it is fabulous.Nid Ting is an unassuming restaurant with very reasonably prices that serves up the best Thai food I've had this side of Thailand. It's better than a lot of the food I had in Thailand, too. Very traditional, friendly and very, very good. The Hot & Sour Soup is perfect, as are the Red, Green & Jungle curries. The chef's specials are superb - my favourite so far is the Steamed Tailapia which was perfectly cooked and delicately flavoured.

It's not fine dining but it is fabulous.

Queen Of Sheba - Amazing Ethiopian Food by andymyers

andymyers — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:56:54 +0000

Review by andymyers

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7284 3947

Tags: good value, ethiopian, african & caribbean

My wife and I love this restaurant. I'd never had Ethiopian food until a few years ago, but since visiting Queen of Sheba I have been hooked. I can only vouch for the vegetarian dishes, but they are excellent. It is very reasonably priced too and the only reason I can't give this place 5 stars is because sometimes the service is a bit slow...that said, the staff are very friendly.My wife and I love this restaurant. I'd never had Ethiopian food until a few years ago, but since visiting Queen of Sheba I have been hooked. I can only vouch for the vegetarian dishes, but they are excellent. It is very reasonably priced too and the only reason I can't give this place 5 stars is because sometimes the service is a bit slow...that said, the staff are very friendly.

Chameli Indian Restaurant - My Valentines Dinner by Glen_Bailey

Glen_Bailey — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:27:48 +0000

Review by Glen_Bailey

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7482 2833

Tags: indian, good value, vegetarian dishes

Itâ¬"s not often that you arrive at the restaurant you think youâ¬"re supposed to be at, only to have a small man run at you from out of the darkness asking â¬SDo you want to go in?â¬. My travelling instincts immediately kick in and Iâ¬"m about to politely yet sternly tell him â¬SNo thank youâ¬ and walk briskly off. Luckily my brain jumped in before my mouth.

I remembered a sign on the front door saying something like â¬ÜThis door is not usable. Please use the side door.â¬" As the realisation flowed across my face, the very helpful small man (who I could clearly now see was a waiter and dressed appropriately) explained the person with the only key was late and would we mind following him through the side door.

We followed and had a brief tour of the kitchen where the three chiefs (who all greeted us with a cheerful hello) were preparing for the night ahead. The aromas they were creating convinced me that we had chosen a good place to celebrate our first UK Valentines.

The dÃ©cor was nothing to write home about nor was it shabby. It was more the little touches like the miniature bouquet of flowers on each table and the heart shaped balloons scattered throughout that made it special.

We were the first people there, and our very attentive waiter let us choose where we wanted to sit. He then promptly took our coats (ladies first â¬ of course) and gave us enough time to peruse the menu. We decided on two beers, Cobra and Kingfisher, and a starter of two papadums which came with four delicious dipping sauces. My favourite was the spicy concoction with ground cinnamon.

The mains took us a little while to choose only because everything we looked at seemed to be better than the dish before, including dishes weâ¬"d already looked at! Iâ¬"m a sucker for goat which sadly was not on their menu, but made my decision a little easier. Eventually deciding I was craving a red meat, I decided on the Lahore Palak Gosht (a lamb dish using only A Grade Halal meat), my partner chose the Ginger Chicken Kerala Style (again using high grade meat) and due to the lack of greenery, she also chose the Saag Paneer (an old favourite of ours from New Zealand). To compliment this we chose a plain (basmati) and lemon rice.

Weâ¬"d just ordered two more beers when the hot plates arrived, much to our please followed closely by our fantastic looking food. All three dishes were superb. The lamb could have stood out on its own. It was so full of flavour and the accompanying spices did well to bring this out further without disguising it. We appreciated the flavours of the ginger chicken dish, especially the sizable slithers of ginger waiting at the bottom of the bowl which I was allowed free run of. The paneer dish surprised us in its presentation as we are used to seeing it in a spinach puree style. It looked more like wilted, reduced, fresh spinach with accompanying spices but was not disappointing.

As the dishes were taken away (completely empty I might add), we pondered the need for three of them. Perhaps if weâ¬"d been thinking sensibly we would have got two, but it was a special occasion and we didnâ¬"t want to leave thinking â¬SI bet that so-in-so dish would have been goodâ¬. We sat in Valentines bliss seriously considering our combined favourite to top off the evening, a refreshing lassi. Talk about eyes bigger than stomach syndrome! Sadly, we went with our stomachs (both of whom were rumbling with content) only to be asked if we would like to look at the desert/hot drinks menu. Phewf!

After deciding that a lassi would push us over the edge, I managed to convince myself that a chai tea would see me right, only to be disappointed when the waiter came back with that knowing apology of a smile and the sad news that there was to be no chai tea foe tonight. Probably for the best. I was rather full.

The bill came to Â£36 and took a little working out. The only thing we may have done differently is instead of paying the Â£11 pounds for four beers opted for a bottle of wine instead.

Happy eating.
Itâ¬"s not often that you arrive at the restaurant you think youâ¬"re supposed to be at, only to have a small man run at you from out of the darkness asking â¬SDo you want to go in?â¬. My travelling instincts immediately kick in and Iâ¬"m about to politely yet sternly tell him â¬SNo thank youâ¬ and walk briskly off. Luckily my brain jumped in before my mouth.

I remembered a sign on the front door saying something like â¬ÜThis door is not usable. Please use the side door.â¬" As the realisation flowed across my face, the very helpful small man (who I could clearly now see was a waiter and dressed appropriately) explained the person with the only key was late and would we mind following him through the side door.

We followed and had a brief tour of the kitchen where the three chiefs (who all greeted us with a cheerful hello) were preparing for the night ahead. The aromas they were creating convinced me that we had chosen a good place to celebrate our first UK Valentines.

The dÃ©cor was nothing to write home about nor was it shabby. It was more the little touches like the miniature bouquet of flowers on each table and the heart shaped balloons scattered throughout that made it special.

We were the first people there, and our very attentive waiter let us choose where we wanted to sit. He then promptly took our coats (ladies first â¬ of course) and gave us enough time to peruse the menu. We decided on two beers, Cobra and Kingfisher, and a starter of two papadums which came with four delicious dipping sauces. My favourite was the spicy concoction with ground cinnamon.

The mains took us a little while to choose only because everything we looked at seemed to be better than the dish before, including dishes weâ¬"d already looked at! Iâ¬"m a sucker for goat which sadly was not on their menu, but made my decision a little easier. Eventually deciding I was craving a red meat, I decided on the Lahore Palak Gosht (a lamb dish using only A Grade Halal meat), my partner chose the Ginger Chicken Kerala Style (again using high grade meat) and due to the lack of greenery, she also chose the Saag Paneer (an old favourite of ours from New Zealand). To compliment this we chose a plain (basmati) and lemon rice.

Weâ¬"d just ordered two more beers when the hot plates arrived, much to our please followed closely by our fantastic looking food. All three dishes were superb. The lamb could have stood out on its own. It was so full of flavour and the accompanying spices did well to bring this out further without disguising it. We appreciated the flavours of the ginger chicken dish, especially the sizable slithers of ginger waiting at the bottom of the bowl which I was allowed free run of. The paneer dish surprised us in its presentation as we are used to seeing it in a spinach puree style. It looked more like wilted, reduced, fresh spinach with accompanying spices but was not disappointing.

As the dishes were taken away (completely empty I might add), we pondered the need for three of them. Perhaps if weâ¬"d been thinking sensibly we would have got two, but it was a special occasion and we didnâ¬"t want to leave thinking â¬SI bet that so-in-so dish would have been goodâ¬. We sat in Valentines bliss seriously considering our combined favourite to top off the evening, a refreshing lassi. Talk about eyes bigger than stomach syndrome! Sadly, we went with our stomachs (both of whom were rumbling with content) only to be asked if we would like to look at the desert/hot drinks menu. Phewf!

After deciding that a lassi would push us over the edge, I managed to convince myself that a chai tea would see me right, only to be disappointed when the waiter came back with that knowing apology of a smile and the sad news that there was to be no chai tea for me tonight. Probably for the best. I was rather full.

The bill came to Â£36 and took a little working out. The only thing we may have done differently is instead of paying the Â£11 pounds for four beers opted for a bottle of wine instead.

Happy eating.