• Added: 29th of July 2008
• Area: Soho
• Category: Restaurants

London W1D 6HT
020 7494 1271

jovike said
Best paella in the world
I've been here three or four times and always have the paella because it is the best in the world - yes, I do know because I have spent a couple of weeks trying arroz and paella around Valencia - and never managed to finish one yet because it's too big.

The paella is topped with giant prawns (already removed in my picture), mussels, and contains plenty of chicken, prawns, fish and calamari.

Taking a star off because the music was too loud last time.

• Added: 29th of July 2008
• Area: Finchley
• Category: Restaurants

London N3 2BJ
020 8371 4375

jovike said
hidden gem
A quality restaurant/bistro, hidden behind a bus stop near to Finchley Central Underground station.

Great service. The food is prepared in plain view at the back.

I recommend the duck!

26 Ballards Lane, Finchley Central, London, N3 8BJ.

020 8371 4375.

• Added: 28th of May 2008
• Area: Barnet
• Category: Restaurants

Barnet EN5 1ES
020 8449 0510

jovike said
Great local curry house
Long-established local curry house, usually full of family groups on a Saturday evening.

The food is excellent, very consistent. My favourites on the large menu include the chicken massalum which contains chicken, mince and a boiled egg in a medium sauce. My girlfriend always has the tandoori chicken since she cannot tolerate chilli. The balti is also great, and the sag aloo (potato cooked in spinach and vegetables) is unmissable.

Their signature dish in my opinion is the salmon chilli massala, a tandoori fish dish in a hottish sauce. Pricy but superb. Also very good is the fish curry massala which is a whole trout, well cooked in a gorgeous sauce.

The Chef's Special is a medium chicken curry in a superb sauce with an occasional sultana.

The mixed biriani is like an Indian paella! recommended.

The restaurant is at the top of Station Road, opposite the Barnet Odeon. (Cue Pearl & Dean) Tel: 020 8449 0510.

• Added: 9th of April 2008
• Area: Aldgate
• Category: Restaurants

London E1 6TD
020 7392 2100

jovike said
Atmos
Good atmosphere with colourful decor - I hope they never repaint it!

I recommend the chicken dhansak here. It is superb, sweet and prepared in a way quite unlike anywhere else. The garlic, the balti and the bhoona are good. They also have prawn and fish dishes on their extensive menu which also features such staples as lassi and raita. I must try the roop chanda biran and the fish egg bora one day.

Friendly service. Sometimes busy with a few large parties.

The Alishaan is on Osborn Street, which is the southernmost section of Brick Lane. You can't miss the red neon.

• Added: 9th of April 2008
• Area: Aldgate
• Category: Restaurants

London E1 8DJ
020 7709 0150

jovike said
Chunky.
Established in 1939, I first ate here in 1984. Consistently good value. Their chicken dhansak contains twice as much chicken as some other indian restaurants. The egg fried rice is superb. I've just tried the madras - excellent, not too hot. The bhuna is good too. I had a vindaloo which had one piece of potato in it - the rest was meat.

Their (very) spicy papadoms are small but a real treat.

Some unusual menu items: egg curry; meatball vindaloo. Seafood is prawns - no fish. They have almond, mango or pistachio kulfi for dessert.

One waiter is dumb, attached to a rope and the bill is accompanied by Murray Mints. They sometimes close early so don't leave it until the last minute. You might remember they once had other branches, one on Aldgate High Street, where Boots is now.

(This restaurant is on Alie Street, on the corner with Mark Street: Google Maps has it wrong.)