MUMBAI SQUARE

First Impressions:

I have always intended to visit this restaurant ever since they called me for a solo piano gig that didn't exist! That's a whole other story...
There was a private function when we visited, so we were seated in the upstairs area, which resembled a YMCA with teens hanging out!!

Starters:

The Papadums are fresh and delivered what we like in the sauce department!
Underdog insists that the Bhajis are the greatest he has ever tasted!
I think they are good but a bit dry and KFC like!

Mains:

The Chicken Tandoori here is great, as is the Lamb Rogan Josh.
Rice and Naan also hit the spot.
Unfortunately the hand dryer sucks, not blows!!

The Verdict:

Surprisingly good food, but I get the impression outsiders are not that welcome compared to their regulars!

Likely to dine here:

Vito Corleone

 

Directions:

Mumbai Square
7 Middlesex St, London E1 7AA

Nearest Tube: Aldgate /Aldgate East

THE GRAND INDIA

First impressions

MrX: This ain't gonna be good. That's what I'm thinking after I'm seated by the waiter who's master scheme is to seat everyone like sardines! A quick trip to the toilet proves my theory as I have to squeeze through narrow passages and step sideways into the loo!

This restaurant isn't intended for any members of the Chicago Bears Defence!

UM: This Curry-house is reassuringly tatty. All the chintz, all the Eastern regalia of a bygone era that tease the taste buds. Sentiment aside, it's maybe just a clue that the pickle-tray hasn't been changed since a bygone era.

Starters

MrX: Crispy Papadums however the Pickle tray has been left out since May 1996! The lime pickle resembles my dead gran's teeth!

The Onion bhajis arrive on a stark surgeons tray and look like a pair of elephants testicles. They taste like Turkey stuffing and are not cooked in the middle.-107 points for this!

UM: One nibble was all this Bhaji was worthy of, a depressed clump of stodginess that complimented the retirement-home ambiance of the Grand India.

Mains

MrX: At this point in the evenings entertainment a gentleman enters the restaurant and asks to be seated at the other end of the room away from the drunken sardines. The waiter rudely denies him and he is forced to leave.-756 points for this!

Lamb Rogan Josh and Balti Chicken Dansek arrive. Both look and taste like they were prepared a week before. Both dishes taste like a vat of salt has been poured into them. I am not impressed. The Naan bread is also extremely stodgy.

UM: Apart from the fall-out Chicken that yielded like autumn bark, I suspect the mains had a pleasant flavor but I couldn't tell over the excessive taste of salt.

The Verdict

MrX: Extremely poor and overpriced. You pay for the salt I guess!!!

UM: Without intending to rub any in, mention must be made of the wounded waiter. A sensitive character, who entertained us by driving a customer away over a seating dispute and then having a hissy-fit about how tough it is to run a restaurant. Soggy, salty, hysterics. Nil pwa.

Likely to dine here

Matt Goss and Sir Simon Rattle, on a dinner date to discuss their new movie, "Finger and Thumb".

 

Directions

The Grand India

 6 New Row London,, WC2N 4LH

Nearest Tube:  Covent Garden

SPICE TRADER

This was my first review for the blog. 

It is slightly shorter than the other reviews because In those days, Underdog and myself did a tiny bit of research on sites, like Trip Advisor to find recommended Restaurants.

 

First impressions:

I really thought I had been transported to Heathrow as this restaurant has an authentic airport departure lounge to its ambience!

Starters:

Good Bhajis and standard Papadums etc...

Mains:

Tandoori Chicken Tika was ordered. I often like to order a separate sauce with this, usually Madras. Occasionally I have had heated arguments with waiters about getting this, as some are purists! No argument here though. Nice flavors, very tasty Lamb Rogan Josh is also enjoyed.

The verdict:

Good food and worth a return, if you don't mind the thought of flight A113 to Tibet being announced!

Likely to dine here:

Tony Hancock

 

Directions :

Spice Trader 

9 Philpot Ln, London  EC3M 8AA

Nearest Tube:  Monument

THE DELHI BRASSERIE

Prologue :

I have been going to this restaurant for years; back in the day, hard living and Un-PC jazz musicians used to enjoy a late night curry after their session at Ronnie Scott's. The place closes at 11:30 now....

 

First Impressions :

I am greeted by the head waiter, who closely resembles Magnum P.I. star Tom Selleck! I immediately hit him with a Trivia question about his preference between Magnum and the A teams Hannibal. I am snubbed by this straight off!!! I now make my way to the toilets via an Alice in Wonderland staircase; my hands are nearly taken off by the Texas chainsaw massacre hand dryer!!

Starters :

After some confusion over the menu where we debate whether Peri Peri Chicken is really relevant to Indian food, the Papadums arrive and then the Bhajis.

Good old Papadums!

A Bb chord for the onion Bhajis! All good so far.

Mains:

The food arrived with mystery dish covers!  Chicken Xecuti melts in my mouth, delicious flavours. Equivalent to the YES album Tormato! The Lamb is a great contrasting flavor and Also very tender.

The Verdict:

Good all round food, and you even get a discount card for your next visit. The magic of the late night Ronnie Scott's days is gone however!

Likely to dine here:

Now: Michael Buble

Then: Michael Brecker

 

 

Directions :

The Delhi Brasserie 

44 Frith Street,  London  W1D 4SB

Nearest Tube : Leicester Square / Tottenham Court Road