Raj Pooth, Biggleswade (22nd November 2011)

Overall Score: 8.033

Price: £20-25
RECOMMENDED

The SLT went local following their trip to warmer climates and ventured down the A1 to Biggleswade. The Raj Pooth, a new Indian restaurant, situated in the centre of the market square had only been opened for 5 months when the boys decided to visit. The club were very pleasantly surprised by the hospitality and the food that was brought to the table.

PICKLES
Reasonable selection of pickles on offer, the standard selection, all good so scored a reasonable 7.

STARTERS
Simon and Tony each enjoyed a succulent Prawn Puri; whilst Lee went for Aloo Chat, all were good ans this is reflected in the marks awarded.

MAIN
Simon decided on a veggie main course and went for the Veg Balti, madras hot, very flavoursome with some good spices in the sauce. Lee joined Simon with the baltiand decided on vindaloo hot, both were very good and enjoyed by the balti lovers. Tony decided on Chicken Katta Matta, a new dish for Mr Codd, one which he managed to polish off - very good dishes all round for main courses, all scoring very well.

This Indian restaurant should only grow into a much better restaurant and we would recommend a visit to give it a try.

Raj Pooth
30 Market Square
Biggleswade
SG18 8AQ

Tel: 01767 314360

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

Masala, Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote (1st October 2011)

Overall Score: 8.400
Price: £20-25

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Well as the old saying goes, "we've save the best till last”! Third night, third curry and what a curry it was! The location was the furthest away from the hotel, so Tony insisted on taking a taxi...no surprise there - the dodgy knee excuse again. Near the casino, it was a little difficult to find, Lee politely told a waiter outside a restaurant that they were eating elsewhere, to then, rather embarrassingly, found himself being seated by the same waiter, albeit having entered a different entrance to the same restaurant.

Guest Harry was all curried-out and decided to abstain from proceedings, taking the opportunity to have a bit of "self time" at the apartment - least said........

Once seated, the boys decided on a manly sangria as the drink of choice instead of the traditional pint of lager which made a nice refreshing and rather Spanish-feel to the evening and ordered what turned out to be a mostly vegetarian menu.

PICKLES
Popodoms and pickles were served, with the immediate request for additional servings of pickles – what is it with Indian restaurants in Lanzarote, only serving enough pickles to feed an anorexic mouse!! With ‘large bowls’ of onions and mint sauce now on the table, the popodoms could be properly enjoyed. Whilst pleasant enough, the pickles choice was limited so the entrée only scored 6.667!

STARTERS
With the new love of Paneer, both Lee and Tony opted for the Paneer Pakora – 2 days on the bounce for Tony – and it did not disappoint, with both scoring an impressive 9 out of 10. Simon’s regular choice of Prawn Puree didn’t impress, so scored a rather average 7 out of 10, giving starters an overall score of 8.333.

MAINS
Now onto the mains, Vegetable Thali for Lee and Simon and more paneer for Tony with an off-menu Paneer Tikka Shashlik. The boys were mighty impressed all round, with content mmmm’s and a few ‘that’s lovely’ comments throughout the meal. All scored full marks, 10 out of 10.

DESERTS
Tony and Lee were content with their food, but as soon as Simon saw his favourite Gulab Jamon on the menu, he found a little extra space to fit a portion in. Again, some rather disturbing noise coming from Simon indicated he was thoroughly enjoying the Gulab Jamon experience. As for the score, another full marks, 10 out of 10!

All that was left was to pay the bill, score value for money, not bad at 8.667 out of 10 and Service, a “could do better but not bad” at 8.333. This gave an overall score of 8.400, so one the boys would certainly recommend if you ever go to Puerto Del Carmen in Lanzarote.

As a side note, the restaurant also has an Italian menu (which led to Lee’s confusion finding the restaurant…), so it’s a great place if the wife or kids don’t fancy Indian, but you do!

Avenida de las Playas 41
355100 Puerto Del Carmen
Lanzarote
Spain

More details can be found at Mesoncafemasala.com

India Zaffron, Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote (30th September 2011)

Overall Score: 7.900
Price: £15-£20

RECOMMENDED

India Aroma, Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote (29th September 2011)

Overall Score: 7.667
Cost: £10-£15

RECOMMENDED

Following a successful journey from Stanstead to the beautiful island of Lanzarote we took Lee's recommendation for the first restaurant. Having had a relax around the pool, followed by playing some pool and a few drinks we felt it was time to eat.

PICKLES
Pickles arrived, limited selection, including all of the usual suspects, adequate but nothing out of the ordinary. Mid range scores from everyone, average of 5.333 accurately reflected the feeling on the table.

STARTERS
Starters only for Simon and Tony, Lee did not fancy a starter as well as the main meal. Tony went for Aloo Vada, fried potato dumplings, which Tony really enjoyed, scroing a well earned 8.5 Simon went for the curry club favourite ingredient, Paneer, pakora style - excellent dish and really tasty - well worth the 8.5

MAIN
Lee decided on Paneer Shashlik for his main, really pleased with the dish and the meal was of an excellent standard, scoring a deserved 8.5. Tony went for the Chicken Biryani, again another good meal, nice and tasty, scored 8. Simon decided on the Chicken Curry - good but not exceptional so scored a middle of the road 7 - average for main meals 7.833 .

No deserts appealed so they were not scored. Service was good - always on hand to replenish either drinks or pickles when required. Scored an acceptable 7.667.

The VFM scored highly, excellent quality of food for the price we paid, one of the cheaper indian meals we have had but still delivered a good quality of food which compares favourably with some of the others we have visited. Scored 9 for VFM.

If in the resort definitely one to try - good quality food at reasonable prices - well worth a visit.

Avenida De las Playas
Commercial center Las Tabaibas
Puerto Del Carmen
Lanzarote
Spain

Dine Bangla, Baldock (21st July 2011)

Overall Score: 7.667
Cost: £20-£25

RECOMMENDED

Simon's choice of restaurant on this occasion so off to Baldock to try Dine Bangla, reviews said it was a good curry house, so the SLT decided to give it a go.

PICKLES
Good selection of pickles provided, five in total including a spicy tomato and chilli sauce which was very good. One of the better selections to go with our popadoms.

STARTERS
Simon decided to go off menu and ask for a Paneer starter, however the restaurant did not have any Paneer courses, so opted for the Prawn Puri, which had an excellent kick to it, very good. Lee decided on Aloo Chat, with green chillies - very good and would have benefited from a Puri. Tony went for a Prawn Cocktail, too much sauce and not enough prawns, so one to avoid. Two out of three not bad.

MAIN COURSES
Tony decided on the Chicken Korahi, accompanied with a Mushroom Rice and Resham (mixed vegetables) - enjoyed it very much. Simon went for the Chicken Balti, was a good taste but had too much sauce and no peppers or onions, side dish of Chana Masala which was slightly bland. Lee opted for his usual Veggie Vindaloo which was very hot and equated to a Ghandi Phall, side of Mushroom Bhajee. Main courses good, some improvements needed to compete with the better restaurants we have been to.

No deserts appealed so this was not scored. Overall a good quality of food, not the best we have been to, but one which we would recommend. Slightly pricey but probably worth a visit.

Dine Bangla
21 Whitehorse Street
Baldock
Hertfordshire
SG7 6QB

Tel: 01462 893643

Sitar 2, Hitchin (8th June 2011)

Overall Score: 7.233
Cost: £20-£25

NOT RECOMMENDED

Average quality of food in the restaurant - not the best we have been to but did score well. Mid table for this restaurant.

3a Sun Street
Hitchin
Hertfordshire
SG5 1AE

Tel:- 01462 451896

Dalchini Spice, Shefford (12th May 2011)

Overall Score: 7.542
Cost: £20-£25

NOT RECOMMENDED

Visited this restaurant on the recommendation of Lee, a good standard of starters but the main courses were a slight disappointment. The real blemish on the score was the pudding created for Tony, ice cream with mango slices - one which was not particularly liked by Tony. As you can imagine Tony expressed his views on this clearly and concisely.

Not great - would think twice about visiting this one.

3 South Bridge
Shefford
SG17 5DB

Tel: 01462 815778

The Shalbon, Sutton Coldfield (18th March 2011)

Overall Score: 8.583
Cost: £15-20

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The Shalbon is a very accommodating restaurant, a light and bright feel to it but still holds that Indian style. They are also willing to go off menu if asked which is not uncommon now for the members of the club, but when the food comes back and tastes as good as you want it to, it just goes to show how good this Indian really is, especially with a number of other restaurants near by in competition.

With just a little longer to wait in between dishes, which is not a bad thing, this restaurant gave time to truly enjoy the food in your own time - no rushing at all.

As you will see in the scoring this is a must if in the area when looking for that special Indian.

65 Birmingham Road
Sutton Coldfield
B72 1QF

Tel: 0121 355 5836