[realoldfart]

I adore South Indian grub. I've been going to "India Club" in the Strand since the mid 60s.

Completely different and much much better than your usual Bangladeshi local "curry house".

[dunks517]

Originally Posted by nacmacfeegle

FZR400RRSP if I recall you are in Aberdeen, where are the good curries at these days in the toon, its been a while since I've eaten out in the city (living in Auchenblae these days) and fancy a curry night in Furryboots.

Have you tried the place in Laurencekirk? If I recall the waiters at one point didn't like the Boss therefore the drinks were 'well received by all'.

[dunks517]

Originally Posted by realoldfart

I adore South Indian grub. I've been going to "India Club" in the Strand since the mid 60s.

Completely different and much much better than your usual Bangladeshi local "curry house".

Ah the Cafe India/ Strand Continentl, I've had a few of the special set meals in there, we used to start at the Sherlock Holmes at four then work our way to there by six. I actually joined and touted it as my 'London Club' at one point, I think the only benefit was beer from downstairs rather than the offy on the corner. Great times!

[nacmacfeegle]

Originally Posted by dunks517

Have you tried the place in Laurencekirk? If I recall the waiters at one point didn't like the Boss therefore the drinks were 'well received by all'.

I go there pretty regularly, and it's actually not bad, just fancied a change.
The waiters are all a pretty good laugh. Friday or Saturday can get a bit busy in the pub downstairs though.
Stonehaven has a couple of decent curry houses as well, just off the square.

[dunks517]

Originally Posted by nacmacfeegle

I go there pretty regularly, and it's actually not bad, just fancied a change.
The waiters are all a pretty good laugh. Friday or Saturday can get a bit busy in the pub downstairs though.
Stonehaven has a couple of decent curry houses as well, just off the square.

My in laws live in L'kirk and I've had a few nights in there and the Royal. The only thing I noticed was the amount they charged for sag aloo and other side dishes.

[nabby]

Originally Posted by Sammyez

It's interesting to read all these comments about curries. As a British Indian, who's family are originally from Mumbai (Gujarat) via East Africa. You should note that Indian food varies around all the Regions of India. As has been mentioned before approximately 70% of 'Indian' restaurants in the UK are not Indian owned but, rather are Bangladeshi (East Pakistan) The style of cooking is much different to Indian cooking.

So how does one tell? It's not easy for someone who isn't Asian but, generally if you see Balti on the menue it's not Indian. Even then there are lots of variations amongst Indian restaurants. For example, in areas like Leicester or North London which has a high percentage of East African Asians (ex-Uganda / Kenya) they have developed the Indian cuisine to include some influences from this Region with distinctive flavours and style of cooking a good example would be Chicken in a Machoosi sauce. If you get the chance, just google it for some restaurants offering this style of cooking (eg; Spicy Haandi and Marten Inn) the later in Leicester was recently featured in a Jamie Oliver programme.

In my opinion, some of the best restaurants are those that offer excellent freshly made curries all with different flavours and distinct tastes. These don't have to spend huge amounts of money on contemporary decor. The later tend to have more style over substance! A little bit like the AV world, some of the best equipment doesn't have to be the most stylish, it just delivers !

All that, has made me hungry, must go and have a curry fix!

Nice post although I wanted to point out that Mumbai is not in Gujarat but in Maharastra, which has a very different style of cuisine.

[dc8900]

Originally Posted by Sammyez

70% of 'Indian' restaurants in the UK are not Indian owned but, rather are Bangladeshi (East Pakistan)

word of advice, in a Bangladeshi owned Indian restaurant, never utter the word 'East Pakistan' or that Bangladesh is still that (seeing as they gained independence in '71), otherwise you will be show quickly out of the door to put it politely!

[nacmacfeegle]

Originally Posted by dunks517

My in laws live in L'kirk and I've had a few nights in there and the Royal. The only thing I noticed was the amount they charged for sag aloo and other side dishes.

Aye, drifting bewteen the Royal and the Alma is a bit of a common occurrence

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by dunks517

My in laws live in L'kirk and I've had a few nights in there and the Royal. The only thing I noticed was the amount they charged for sag aloo and other side dishes.

The good old convenience surcharge, or price fixing.
They know your other choice is drive/taxi/bus elsewhere.
New curry houses in Echt and Westhill (both just outside Aberdeen) are likewise more expensive than town.
Getting to cheaper curries in the centre of Aberdeen is going to cost you £15.00-£20.00 by taxi.
And bus services from Echt will be a bit of a joke on a Saturday evening!

[Saldawop]

I don't like to experiment too much when I go to an Indian restaurant, I usually always have chicken Tikka with Pilau Rice. I would like to try something else,something a little hotter.Not so hot that it melts my face ,just with bit of a kick.What would you recommend? I was thinking of a Chicken Madras?(I don't like lamb or fish of any description...unless its cod in batter )

[Iccz]

Originally Posted by Saldawop

I don't like to experiment too much when I go to an Indian restaurant, I usually always have chicken Tikka with Pilau Rice. I would like to try something else,something a little hotter.Not so hot that it melts my face ,just with bit of a kick.What would you recommend? I was thinking of a Chicken Madras?(I don't like lamb or fish of any description...unless its cod in batter )

Chicken Bhuna
Chicken Jalfrezi
Would be good choices.

Or even a Madras, though it depends what you really see as hot as everyone's tastes are different.

[nabby]

Ask for a Chicken Tikka Masala with an extra kick

A Madras will be more coconutty so if that's ok with you then give it a go.

If the dish you order is too hot then it's sensible to stir in a little plain, unsweetened yoghurt to reduce the heat and make it more palatable for you. A dish of yoghurt is pretty much always on the table at lunch and dinner when I've visited family in India.

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by Saldawop

I don't like to experiment too much when I go to an Indian restaurant,

This is why I like these new Tapas style Indian menus.
Where you can buy lots of little £3 bowls of different dishes.
Encourages you to try new dishes, no big deal if you don't like £3 worth.
Nothing worse than taking a leap of faith, spending £10 on a new dish and realising after the first bite you've made a mistake....
Been there, sat with the gutted face on whilst everyone else tucks in to theirs.

[fizl]

I dont know of any madras that has coconut in - its a tomato based sauce

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by fizl

I dont know of any madras that has coconut in

I've definitely had Madras that is 'coconutty'
In fact, if there were any tomatoes in the one I had, you wouldn't have known it.
If you google, many Madras recipes include coconut milk.

[fizl]

The first two pages had one recipe with a handful of desiccated coconut. It isn't a usual ingredient in a madras sauce.

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by fizl

The first two pages had one recipe with a handful of desiccated coconut. It isn't a usual ingredient in a madras sauce.

One of the most popular restaurants in Aberdeen definitely does it.
It's the only time I've tried Madras, and I wa attracted to it because coconut is a favourite ingredient of mine.
According to Wikipedia (not gospel, I know) there is no 'set' recipe for Madras and it can contain any number of things.

[soldierboy001]

Another way to try different dishes is to go to a mid-day all you can eat buffet usually for under £10 per person. The staff are usually only to willing to nhelp with your choice as they want you back again and again, not like some restraunts I know of.

[fizl]

Originally Posted by FZR400RRSP

One of the most popular restaurants in Aberdeen definitely does it.
It's the only time I've tried Madras, and I wa attracted to it because coconut is a favourite ingredient of mine.
According to Wikipedia (not gospel, I know) there is no 'set' recipe for Madras and it can contain any number of things.

True, but I wonder if its an aberdeen thing, because I've never had a madras with coconut in, and its my go to dish in an indian restaurant

[soldierboy001]

If you check Wikipeia you will find that Madras was originally a vegetable dish and it's us Brit's that want meat in it. Also you can add coconut or yogurt as preference dictates. See my previous post regarding naming of Indian dishes.

[fizl]

Definitely about Madras being a vegetable dish, Tamil Nadu (where Chennai/Madras is) is a mainly vegetarian state. I've spent alot of time over there in the last 5 years or so. Saying that, go in a restaurant there, and you wont find a dish called anything madras (or chennai)

[FZR400RRSP]

I had this on Saturday night, it was flipping lovely.

CHICKEN TIKKA NICOL
Chicken tikka cooked with fresh herbs and spices in a rich coconut flavoured hot sauce

[fizl]

Sounds lovely - who/what is nicol?

[SBT]

Originally Posted by fizl

Sounds lovely - who/what is nicol?

The bird from the renault adverts Papa!

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by fizl

Sounds lovely - who/what is nicol?

No idea, sorry.
I've only seen it in two local restaurants.
Although they have different names/decor, the same bloke owns both.
So I can only assume it's a personal thing, his daughter/wife maybe.

[SBT]

Originally Posted by soldierboy001

Another way to try different dishes is to go to a mid-day all you can eat buffet usually for under £10 per person. The staff are usually only to willing to nhelp with your choice as they want you back again and again, not like some restraunts I know of.

That sound like a great idea.Think that's what i'll have to try.Although if it's all you can for a tenner,they will go out of business with me

[Dave]

Originally Posted by FZR400RRSP

his daughter/wife maybe.

Eating human flesh is illegal.

[kevykat]

Originally Posted by Dave

Eating human flesh is illegal.

Eating other peoples human flesh you mean? Surely the piece of skin i just bit off my finger ain't illegal? :-P

[dunks517]

Originally Posted by nacmacfeegle

Aye, drifting bewteen the Royal and the Alma is a bit of a common occurrence

The Jahangir in Dundee was always great, I haven't been there for a couple of years though. The tea time buffet was great except I used to go to town on the starters and be hanging out for the main course! It's not a curry house but Roos Leap In Montrose is a favourite, especially with the massive onion.