Normally, I'd ignore and dismiss anything put through my door for a restaurant. Having just moved…read morethough, I've started reading them & the Ashoka being a mile away caught my attention.
Popped in Sunday evening for a quick bite and first impressions - couldn't find the restaurant as it said it was on Cowgate, Kirkintilloch. It's actually right behind it on a side street, across the road from Smiths Hotel.
Noticed walking in, that they have opened a Burger Room downstairs. I'll check this out another time!
Friendly enough welcome, but as there was a private event on, we had to make do with a table right at the entrance, that can only be described as a waiting room. Massive flatscreen TV on the wall with MTV Teen Awards on... just what I love to watch eating out... ahem.
Lass sat us down and gave us the menus.. or should I say battering rams, as they were so large, we both couldn't read at same time, really no need for a menu to be bigger than the table!
Took drinks order & Fiona ended up with a small glass, not a pint of diluting juice. Couple came in after & same waitress sat them down and explained the menu & 2 courses for £9.95 etc.. Something she didn't do with us. Some consistency would be useful.
We had a voucher for buy one, get second curry for a £1. Always sounds great, but you know it ends up the same cost.
Compulsory requirement to test the Vegetable Pakoras (Briony's fault!). I had the Brasserie Masala Lamb (Patia/Tikka Masala style), Fiona went with Chicken Dopiaza.
Couple next to us snagged our pakoras (well, the server did take them to them and they graciously accepted despite ordering 5 minutes after us!). Their loss, as we ended up getting theirs, which was a portion each, not to share.. moah ha ha! Nice and crispy, but still a little doughy inside. Nice flavours though, so a 3.5/5 for these.
Didn't have to wait too long for main courses. Portion sizes.. well, no issues here whatsoever - quite generous & we both struggled to finish the dishes. Mine was pleasant enough. Tender lamb and nice flavours, but it did become boring after a while with the sweetness. Fionas again was nice, but suffered the same fate.
Not being an Ashoka curry go to person, it really did feel like the sauces were added to the dishes, compared to say Cafe Asia in Muirhead, where it's cooked fresh.
We had a few different people serving and all quite pleasant and well mannered. Our bill was wrong, as they charged us for the drinks from the table next to us, that had already left..doh! As usual though, the bill despite a second curry for a £1, still came to £25 for one starter and two curries. Not that much of a saving, as thats what we would pay in Cafe Asia.
Probably would give this another go and try something different. The burgers going past our table looked amazing, to the other restaurant downstairs (rather random I know!).
One of the better places, but not in the same league as Mother Indias/The Dhabba etc.
You Gotta At Least Try It - :-D