THE FAMOUS MOONLIGHT

First Impressions :

Brick Lane has endless Indian restaurants. It's only right that I should sample and review a couple.

The first thing I checked out were the conveniences. Mumbai slum style with only a singular paper towel to help you!
The whole vibe of the restaurant is basic as well.

Starters:

Nice'n crispy Papadums and fresh Raita!
6.5 out of 10 for the Bhajis. Not bad....for the lovers of the flat pancake though!

Mains:

The Chicken Rezala breaks tradition with other Rezalas and is quite mild in spice. Flavor is plentiful however.
We ordered a Bangladeshi here. Lamb Gatta.
Tender meat with a mysterious minty taste; unfortunately also quite mild in spice.

The food here reminds me of 70s Rock bands that tried to return to their roots in the 90s but didn't quite pull it off!!

The Verdict:

For Brick lane, this is pretty good food. It won't ever enter the Curry hall of fame though!

Likely to dine here:

Roy Chubby Brown and The Human League 

 

Directions:

The Famous Moonlight
8 Brick Lane, London E1 6RF

Nearest Tube / Overground
Aldgate East/ Shoreditch High Street

THE INDIA

First Impressions:

This restaurant has one of the coolest vibes I have eaten in. It's situated underground in 3 whitewashed vaulted rooms.
The Muzak they have playing sounds like a Bollywood DVD menu playing on a loop!

Starters :

The Papadums are great as are the very different Raita they are served with.
Wonderful Bhajis are accompanied by a rich man sauce!

Mains:

The Chicken Xecuti is matured in the wood. Great! The Lamb is as good as Coltrane's Sound!
400 extra points for hot towels and 2 mints each after the meal!
The toilets also have a world class hand dryer!

The Verdict:

Wonderful food and service.
Deep..

Likely to dine here:

Miles Davis and Peter Capaldi.

 

Directions :

The India
21 College Hill, London EC4R 2RP

Nearest Tube: Cannon street

INDIAN CITY

First Impressions:

Candles are the theme here.
They have user friendly menus, with large print for the short sighted diner!

Starters:

Great Papadums and pickle tray. I am a fan of the Onions here.
Slightly Bland Bhajis; 3.6 out of 7.

Mains:

The Chicken Xecuti is slightly dry, but very tender.
The Lamb here is the winner with additional potatoes added! Tidy flavours!
After the meal, you are given shots, mints and hot Towells!

On my visit to the little boys room, I was given a cold blast from a nameless hand dryer...

The Verdict :

A good, but not amazing dining experience.
Very similar to side one of Tales from Topographic Oceans...

Likely to dine here:

Cathy Dennis and Elvis Costello.

 

Directions:

Indian City
4 New Bridge St, London EC4V 6AA

Nearest Tube /Train station
Blackfriars / City Thameslink

PANAHAR

First Impressions

This Restaurant had been recommended to me by a local Trumpet Wizard.

I decided to dine not at Curry o'clock, but at the unfashionable time of a late Sunday afternoon. This meant Underdog Millionaire and I had the place to ourselves! We were really looked after by the waiters because of this.

Starters:

The Papadums and pickle tray are like Irving Berlin in a good way!

Great tasting Bhajis but they might offend the traditionalist as they are a square flat shape!

Mains:

53 points for the Tandoori tasty Chicken which arrives on a heated slab!

The Lamb is excellent but the Chicken rules the night with its woody barbecue flavors!

The Verdict:

617 points for the mints and fresh orange slices after the meal.

My Trivia question to the waiters here was did they prefer Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus!
The Twirk won!

Overall, a great experience but with an average hand dryer in a funny position!

Likely to Dine here:

Tchaikovsky, and on rare occasions Alan Whicker.

 

Directions:

184 Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TQ

Nearest Tube/ Train station
Clapham Common /  Clapham Junction