Moza HQ is an Indian restaurant situated in what used to be a popular bar called the Yard. No…read moreparking outside, but several free car parks are in close proximity and within easy walking distance. Access is through a wrought iron gate and there is a decent amount of outside seating. The main part of the restaurant is upstairs, whilst there is a bar area downstairs. All tastefully furnished and adorned with Christmas decorations on the evening we visited. They even offer two alternative meals for Christmas Day, one classic Turkey and all the trimmings, and one three course Indian meal.
We were a fairly large party of 10, but there was plenty of space, the tables weren't too close, like in some restaurants. The music was an interesting mix tape of such classics as Europe - 'The Final Countdown' and PJ and Duncans 'Lets get ready to Rumble' which made for an interesting musical accompaniment to our meal! The menu itself was an enormous selection of classics and other more interesting dishes. Obviously poppadoms to start, with a good selection of sides - Raita, diced onions and a sweet chilli sauce, no mango chutney though. The starter selection featured dishes like onion bhajis, mixed kebab, as well as meat and vegetarian platters to share. Lots of unusual dishes too like Honey Duck and Murgh Digg Diggi, which I was tempted to order for the name alone! Between us we had a wide variety of dishes, that came on plates with wells on them, with the three sides that accompanied the poppadoms, a nice touch. I went for the Garlic Keema Puree, spicy and flavoursome, a lovely dish, accompanied by a fresh salad.
The array of main courses was even more comprehensive than the starters, obviously the old favourites like balti, jalfrezi, bhuna etc, but also lots of specials and interesting fish dishes like Salmon Massala. I went for the Moza Mix, a dish of medium spiciness, with a rich flavoursome sauce, a good selection of meat inside, lamb, a chicken leg and even a whole boiled egg! My wife went for the chicken tikka korma, again lots of flavour in the sauce, but not that much chicken. The accompanying pilau rice was a good foil for both curries, whilst the plain naan and stuffed paratha, were some of the best we've had in a while. Too often parathas can be very greasy, but this was packed with vegetables, crisp on the outside and packed with flavour. On the whole a great meal, I liked how the mains were heated on a gas burner on the bar, so they were piping hot when they got to you; draught KIngfisher is always a plus, and the price was on the low side. A couple of negatives, the staff whilst polite and helpful, did try to push the drinks a little, and the music grated after the second time of running through, but on the whole I was pleasantly surprised and we will return.
