The Vindaloo, Paignton (16th August 2012)

Tonight’s review is from a takeaway from Lee's trip to Paignton from a small place called The Vindaloo (Editor: we can see why Lee was drawn there!)

The children went for what is becoming their usual of Vegetable Biriani and Gobi Aloo, Emma went for a new dish, and Balti Navtalan mixed vegetable, a delicious blend of chick peas, spinach, sweetcorn, cauliflower and tomato! Lee felt a veg vinda was in order from a place so aptly named. An extra dish of veg bhuna was ordered for good measure.

The vinda lived up to its reputation been probably one of the hottest dishes Lee has had this year. All the other dishes were well spiced and full of flavour with the Nan breads cooked fresh.

Overall, a fantastic takeaway and enough left over to repeat tomorrow!

The Vindaloo

52 Torquay Road

Paignton

Devon

TQ3 3AA

Tel: 01803 558886

Website: http://www.thevindaloo.com/

Himal Tandoori, Torquay (8th August 2012)

Today’s outing for Lee was with the family whilst on holiday in Torquay. The restaurant of choice was Torquay’s highest rated Indian on Trip Advisor, The Himal Tandoori.

Popodoms started the feast with a creamy mint sauce, fresh onion salad, spicy mixed pickle and tasty mango chutney with sesame seeds.

Starters included onion bhaji, Chana Aloo puri, mixed kebab and Aloo chat with green chilli. The Aloo chat packed some heat from the chillies and had plenty of flavour. Lucy enjoyed the Chana Aloo and Caitlyn’s Onion Bhajee didn't touch the sides....

For mains, Caitlyn chose veg biriani, one for a larger appetite, Lee had the usual veggie vinda, packed with plenty of fresh veg, the radishes made a very pleasant contribution not experienced before, and Lucy’s school girl error of over doing the popodoms and large starter meant the lion’s share of her Gobi Aloo is ready for Daddy's tea tomorrow! Emma's Nepalese sweet and sour Lamb Tikka was fruity with a little kick and a resounding winner. Ben let the side down a little bit with nuggets and chips, but some Mutter Paneer and rice added the Indian twist.

Overall very good, I think the reviews on Trip Advisor are well justified and give the right rating, so well worth a visit when in Torquay or surroundings!

330 Torquay Road

Paignton

Devon

TQ3 2DZ

Tel: 01803 524949

Website: http://www.himaltandoori.com/index.html.

The Ruby, Hertford (4th August 2012)

Simon's next solo trip was to continue the celebrations for his brothers 50th birthday.  A trip to Hertford to try the cuisine at the Ruby, as recommended by Alistair, Sean's friend!

Arrived on time, and ordered the papadoms to start the meal off, four pickles and a mint sauce.  Basic error made by Alistair (kept the spoon from the pickles on his plate), school boy error from Sean (overloading poppadom once, and dropping a piece of poppadom in the mint sauce twice).  Fundamental errors by inexperienced curry eaters.

Ordered the Prawn Puri to start (no salad) but a tasty starter which rated as just average in comparisoon to other restaurants.  Went for a main course of Vegetable Madras with Paneer, caused a raised eyebrow from the waiter who said he would have to check with the chef if it was possible to add this to the dish.  Main arrived - paneer included - sauce not as hot as I would have liked - nicely spiced but needed a bit of a kick.  Had Mutter Paneer as a side dish - very sweet with lots of coconut so not one I would recommned.

Overall an average meal which would have scored between 6-7 on an official visit.  Much banter from the table regarding the SLT Curry CLub (jealousy me thinks) and a good time.

Not one I would recommend to visit.

The Ruby
51 St Andrew Street
Hertford
SG14 1HZ

Tel: 01902 504 504

Website: http://rubyhertford.com/

 

The Gandhi, Sandy (1st August 2012)

Todays solo trip for Lee was to the Gandhi in Sandy with his 13 year old daughter Caitlyn.  Lee taking advantage of the wife being away took Caitlyn to his favourite curry house.

The obligatory popodoms started, Caitlyn's preference was for mango chutney whilst Lee favoured the onion salad and lime pickle.

Mains followed with veg biryani for Caitlyn, veg vinda for Lee and veg saag and nan to share. Food was lovely as always and Caitlyn had a Fantastica for pud which Dad seemed to want to share.

All around another good offering by the Gandhi in Sandy.

37 High Street

Sandy
Bedfordshire
SG19 1AG

Tel: 01767 680283