TAYABBS

First Impressions:

Tayabbs is very popular. There is always a line as long as the coke I used to do on my old Tennessee keyboard outside! It's a bring your own alcohol situation as well.

Starters:

It's a very limited menu.No Bhajiss.

Spiced Papadums are also accompanied by a spicy pickle selection.All very average so far.

Mains:

You get a choice of about 4 and a half dishes here.
The Chicken is great with a woody mysterious flavor.
The Lamb has a great flavor but is tough as is the bread, and the end of the meal as I dropped my drink all over myself!
It's not quite as tough as The End Of The Crying Game though as Brock brings a hot towel and mints to cheer me up!

The Verdict:

Not for me. Some nice food but the lineup, lack of bar, limited menu and being packed in like sardines puts me off.

Likely to dine here.;

Charles Bronson and the Eurythmics.

 

Directions:

Tayabbs

83-89 Fieldgate St,  London E1 1JU

Nearest Tube: Whitechapel

KHANS

First Impressions:

This restaurant was recommended by the late Drumming legend Tony Williams or someone similar... it didn't disappoint!

This restaurant has ample space and we were greeted by a well educated but smartass waiter!

Starters:

My Trivia question about Robot arm wrestling was shot down by a facial expression from the above mentioned waiter!

Khans is south of the river so tradition is out of the window again. The return of the flat Bhajis! Excellent flavour however!

Papadums and pickle tray, above average.

Mains:

The rice arrived with a crispy bacon/bhaji mutation on top! Nice!

10/10 for the Lamb Ceylon and Chicken Bhuna.Great Naan also.

The Verdict:

Good food and value for money.

Likely to dine here:

Jimmy Nail 

 

Directions:

Khans  Brixton 

24 Brixton Water Ln, London SW2 1PE

nearest tube : Brixton 

TANDOORI RAJ

First Impressions:

Having enjoyed several beverages beforehand, I was keen on visiting the WC. Only one facility In the whole restaurant, so not good if you are in a rush!

I was greeted by a very average hand dryer upon completing my task!

The waiter was a miserable excuse for a human being, who not only hadn't even heard of Samantha Fox or David Bowie, but freely admitted  not liking any Music or Movies...!

Starters:

Offensive Bhajis which were flat and dry. I played frisbee with the Papadums,... need I say more?

Mains:

The Chicken Tandoori was actually ok, but it came with a watery Madras sauce.

The Lamb Dish was tender but had an over bearing minty flavour to it, and was actually improved by pouring the watery Madras sauce over it!

Stodgy Naan bread and average rice.

The verdict:

The place looks like a cardboard box and tastes like one. I have unfortunately eaten here more than once, but hopefully never again!

Likely to dine here.

The Wombles

 

Directions:

Tandoori Raj

65 Red Lion St, London WC1R 4NA

Nearest Tube: Holborn 

CHILE SHAKER

Prologue:

After a long day visiting Cambridge with Underdog, on one of my only days off in the year, we decided to head back to London for some Indian food as it was 7pm and Cambridge was now showing the test card!

Unfortunately what happened next wasn't pleasant...

Act 1:

After a mix up from the rude waiters, the wrong starters were delivered...

2 months later some very average Papadums, cold vegetable simosas and under cooked Bhajis arrived.

Act 2:

It was at this point that the waiter declared that Tony Hatch was far superior to Tchaikovsky...

The Chicken arrived and bounced around the room... No flavour to the chewey Lamb...

I can't mention the naan or rice as it was so forgettable

The Verdict:

Robin Bland... Enter at your own risk...!

 

Directions:

Chile Shaker 

4 Denman St, London W1D 7HD

nearest tube : Piccadilly Circus