Mem Saab, Bedford (31st March 2012)

Simon's next individual entry for the club. Following the rugby which Bedford won, decided to go to the award winning restaurant in Bedford, following a few beers at The Cricketers, great pub with a Welsh theme.

Started with the prawn puri, which was good, but needed a little more spice. Followed with the club favourite ingredient, paneer, had it in a madras sauce, with rice and nan, teamed it with a mutter paneer, really good. Then pudding, my favourite gulab jamon, as fellow members know a guaranteed 10! Really excellent pudding, served with a coconut kulfi - best gulab I have had.

This restaurant was ok but expected a bit more quality than we got. Not bad but have been to better.

4 Kimbolton Road
Bedford
MK40 2NR

Tel: 01234 344440

Website: http://www.mem-saab.com/bedford/

The Magna, Bedford (6th October 2010)

Overall Score: Did not score please see review
Cost: Too much for the quality of food.

NOT RECOMMENDED

As you will see from the above, all curry club members felt that the meal we had at this restaurant did not merit a score as the food was so poor.

Following last weeks visit to The Curry Leaf we were told by the owner of the Magna that we should try his restaurant and he uttered the immortal words "if you don't like the food then you wont have to pay for it" - bear that comment in mind as your read our experience.

Arrived and our first impression was the smell as we were shown to our seats, a table for four, Lee's father in law joining us.

PICKLES
Adequate, nothing special, lime pickle a disappointment.

STARTERS
Starters ordered and not good, all of the dishes poor, every one of them had a problem. Simon's Prawn Puri was dry and had a very powdery taste. Tony's pepper much the same as was Lees - ate them hoping that the main course would be greatly improved.

MAIN COURSE
Unfortunately the mains were poor too, Simon's Chicken Korahi not nice, again the overriding flavour was one of a harsh powdery taste, not at all good. The Mutter Paneer was dreadful, overcooked frozen peas coated in a curry powder. Lee's meal so bad that he did not eat it nor have any for his lunch for the following day. Tony's meal not good either - the worst meal that the SLT Curry Club have experienced since their formation in 2008.

We made our complaints to the two waiters, the first one did nothing apart from say that no one else had complained and that he would tell the chef! The second waiter took the plates away as we entered into negotiations about the payment. We were adamant that the food was so poor that we were not going to pay - duly noted by the waiter, who returned with a revised bill of £65 (£20 discount). We reopened negotiations and after much deliberation it was agreed that we would pay for the drinks and nothing else. Interestingly the waiter informed us that there were 10 brain surgeons also in the restaurant and that they had not complained.

All in all an awful meal, which we did not feel we were able to mark as it was so poor. Unheard of for Lee to leave a curry - beer good.

Magna Tandoori
50 Tavistock Street
Bedford
MK40 2RD

Tel: 01234 356960

The Curry Leaf, Bedford (28th September 2010)

Overall Score: 7.950
Cost: £15-20

RECOMMENDED

Tony's belated birthday curry trip and we went local to try the food at the Curry Leaf on Tavistock Street in Bedford. Excellent offer at this restaurant - starter, main, side, rice and naan for £9.95 on any day of the week - exceptional offer!

PICKLES
Arrived and ordered our 7 poppadoms, 3 pickles offered by the attentive waiter and we also asked for lime pickle and mint sauce. Pickles let down by the lime pickle which was not enjoyed by either Lee or Tony - this reflected in the score.

STARTERS
Simon opted for the Prawn Puri, Lee going for the Vegetable Puri - both were excellent and served on a slightly thicker Puri than in other restaurants that we have visited. Tony decided on stuffed pepper, enjoyed it but would have preferred another colour from the green one served. All in all not a bad start to the meal.

MAIN COURSE
Tony decided on the Chicken Rogan and his side dish of Madra Samba, a lovely combination of spices which also had a nice little kick to it as well. We all had a taste and agreed that this would have made a really tasty main course. Simon went for the Chicken Korahi and Mutter Paneer as his side dish. Very good portion which contained a lot of chicken, excellent main course. Lee chose Vegetable Jalfrezi with Saag Paneer, again another excellent main course and side combination. Everyone enjoyed their main courses which is truly reflected in the score awarded.

No desserts this time as we had all eaten a fair bit of food - plenty left over for lunch the following day. In summary a restaurant that offers a very good deal and provides a good quality of food. Service good, only slight problem with the pickles, this brought the overall score down for The Curry Leaf.

The Curry Leaf
60 Tavistock Street
Bedford
MK40 2RD

Tel: 01234 328237

The Ruby Murray, Bedford (13th January 2010)

Overall Score: 6.529
Cost: £20-25

NOT RECOMMENDED

Following our first visit here and subsequent trip to the Ritzy in Potton, we were asked to return here to see if the opening night scores were a little harsh. The standard of the food had improved, although we still feel that this is a curry house that is trying to hard to impress. More attention to the food would be impressive in the club members eyes, rather than the fancy decoration.

Starters were a vast improvement on the last visit and scored a very healthy 8.8, the main courses were all good with everyone enjoying their own choices, however the deserts were a disappointment and scored a very low 4.

We still feel that the Ruby Murray needs to improve on their service and the VFM. As this is one of the more expensive restaurants we have visited it needs to improve to warrant the extra cost

17 High Street
Bedford
MK40 1RN
Get directions

Telphone: 01234 353419

Ruby Murray, Bedford (31st January 2009)

Overall Score: 2.445
Cost: £25-£30
Website

NOT RECOMMENDED

After all of the local media hype about the modern style of the restaurant, the overall consensus was that the food and service were disappointing. The open grill area meant that the restaurant had a strong smokey atmosphere which affected the eyes! The experienced curry lover, Lee, was shocked at the Cheese Naan (Mozarella sprinkled on top), the limited deserts (four choices) was very disappointing to say the least! Once again the gallery effect did not impress Tony, who is more of a traditionalist. Simon was surprised that the hot towels arrived between the starter and main course, an interesting service idea. Overall this is not a restaurant that we will be returning to.

17 High St
Bedford
MK40 1RN
Click here for a map

Telephone: 01234 261475