NOTE: Tel. No. is: 01564 743131 for restaurant bookings. The restaurant at the pub is called: The…read moreSpice Room.
Update: 22/10/09
They have upped their game, and the food was excellent in every way. The presentation is perfect.
Whilst I was there they had to turn people away, who had tried to get a table on the off chance. An important thing to mention is that I said to one of the waiters it can't be good to have to turn people away. He said their loyalty had to be those who had booked, and who were having their meal, as they didn't want anyone to leave feeling they had been rushed, and therefore have an unhappy experience. The obvious well said. SO MAKE SURE YOU BOOK!
Again, there were people who were definitely regulars.
I went for a change from my normal fayre, and had the Bangladesh fish "AYR". (DESI MASS) It was lightly pan fried, and came with a separate sauce. I was always advised to have the fish with just plain boiled rice.
My wife enjoyed her meal, and our two friends did too.
If there is one moan it is the fact that we have to pay separately to the pub for the drinks. The price for the bottle of wine was about what you would expect to pay at most places. However, I thought that the pint of lager, and the glass of tonic water was a bit overpriced, £3.10 and £1.85 respectively. Happy to be corrected if this is reasonable.
However, the food bill was only £53 for the 4 of us, and I thought that that was extremely good value for money. 4 mains, 3 rice dishes, and a naan.
They still seem to be doing a very trade in takeaways.
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Previously an Italian restaurant.
It changed to Bangladesh/Indian cuisine about 3 months ago (date of my first visit: 3/7/09).
Staff very friendly. Important to book. We had to have an early time of 19:00.
We both had the same starter: Tandori Mixed Kebab. It wasn't as spicy as the one enjoyed at Redolence Spice in Redditch, and the Sheek kebab was very dry. Nevertheless it was enjoyable overall.
We had different main courses, I need to update the review, as I cannot remember what my wife chose. She did say that although quite spicey, as she asked it at a madras level, it had very different flavours, which she liked. It had a whole red chilli in the dish.
I chose the Chicken Tikka Korai, my god was this hot. Hotter than other places, but very nice. I particularly liked the red and green peppers in the dish, cut large and chunky.
Whether we'd go back, not sure, as I think that both the Redolence Spice in Redditch, and the Rajput at the Cross and Bowling Green, have the edge.
Having said that this is their first restaurant, and they have only been going for 3 months. I observed that some customers were regulars, and they were doing a good trade in takeaways.
Certainly worth a visit if you live or are in the area.
Note they also have access to an outside area, and obviously great for hot summer evenings.
