BORROWDALE GATES: A CLASSY RETREAT

Borrowdale Gates Hotel
Grange in Borrowdale
Keswick
Cumbria CA12 5UQ
017687 77204
www.borrowdale-gates.com

Colin and Joy Harrison thought about retirement before spotting another business opportunity on their doorstep.
They had watched the Borrowdale Gates Hotel climb to a peak and then slip backwards and the couple stepped in to buy the property three years ago.
The husband and wife team have spent a small fortune redesigning and refurbishing the three-star establishment.
Every detail has been considered, even the colour of the tiles and the matching bedspread.
Dressing tables have been specially made by local craftsmen – yes you can see the perfect join – and the effect in some of the luxury bedrooms is stunning.
They compare favourably with five-star establishments I’ve visited in recent years, but few have the view that guests at the Borrowdale Gates have from their bedrooms.
The 25-bed property is tucked away in a breathtaking valley at one end of Derwentwater, around 20 miles from the busy M6, and a minute from the quaint Lakeland village of Grange.
You leave the twisty main road and drive over a hump backed bridge before arriving at the spacious car park which nestles beneath the atmospheric Castle Crag and High Spy peaks.
The minute you walk into the hotel, which was originally built by a philanthropist in 1860, you feel at home.
That was particularly appreciated by me as I had just spent three days at the National Conference for the Federation of Small Businesses in the heart of Liverpool. Peace and tranquillity was what I needed.
A shower proceeded a quiet drink in the spacious dining-room while we ordered from the extensive menu. There was no pressure.
Head chef Chris Standhaven, who formerly worked in Michelin-star establishments, uses local produce, whenever possible.
There were eight starters. Roast tomato and basil soup, smoked salmon platter, chicken liver parfait, mango melon and feta cheese salad, duck, rabbit and ham terrine, warm goats cheese courgette, duck spring roll or seared scallops and white pudding.
Pam selected the chicken liver parfait which arrived with marmalade onions, a tasty dish.
I picked the scallops with white pudding after being was assured the pudding was local. The pair mixed well.
On to the main. There was an extensive choice including char grilled Cumbrian steak, pan fried monk fish tail, chorizo and bean cassoulet with tomato and basil sauce, honey-roasted Goosnargh duck breast, pan fried fillet of sea bass and, for vegetarians, taglitella Florentine with asparagus, free-range poached eggs and Parmesan cheese.
Pam picked lamb. The flavour was appreciated. My Cartmel Valley loin of venison on a bed of pickled cabbage was well-presented but lacked bite but the crispy pancetta helped lift the dish.
I’m addicated to Bakewell tart and there was only one choice for me in the sweet selection. Sorry chef. The tart required a lift.
Pam picked lemon mousse with shortbread. The mousse was excellent. However, the shortbread lacked flavour.
Coffee/tea and petit fours are included in the meal package and, once again, the pastry items were lacking.
Our room, with en-suite, was extremely comfortable and the view the following morning was memorable, low clouds shrouding surrounding peaks with vegetation awakening from the winter chill.
I went for a stroll before breakfast. Locals nodded good morning as they walked their dogs and the sound of birds and a local river, flushed with rain, crashing over stones, was heavenly.
Breakfast was superb. A wide selection of fruit and cereal followed by a choice of full Cumberland, fish and egg dishes.
When in Rome. I picked the full Cumberland. No complaints. The sausages were packed with flavour and the smoked bacon was superb. The black pudding was just right and the mushrooms – large ones - were a welcome addition.
A special local tea, which was most refreshing, boosted the meal and we dined overlooking the valley watching a selection of birds pick at several feeders carefully placed for residents to view.
New bedrooms are being added and the lounge has been updated. The bar, tucked discretely at one end of the lounge/dining room, has been replaced and the restaurant upholstered.
More improvements are promised over the next two to three years with a new wing set to be ready in January 2012.
Colin’s clientele mainly comes from a 15 million population cited in a three-hour drive radius which includes Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester.
The Borrowdale Gates is building a reputation. In fact, many clients make regular trips, including a customer from America.
They love the laid back, homely feel. What’s more, they obviously appreciate Colin’s no wedding or function rule. This establishment is for residents plus a discerning drop-in trade.
He lives six miles away in picturesque Bassenthwaite and claims his drive to work is among the best in the world. I did the run along the south side of Derwentwater and it is stunning.
Colin and Joy aim for quality. For example, his carpets are hand-picked by Joy from a leading High Street retailer. Joy designs the decor, not a specialist.
And the couple, who have won a silver award with the English Tourist Board for the hotel, are not concerned about moving to four or five star, more about making you feel at home and well looked after. They and their excellent staff did just that.

KONG: 25 YEARS OLD AND GOING STRONG

Mr Kong
21 Lisle Street
London
WC2H 7BA
020 7437 7341
Monday to Saturday: noon to 3am
Sunday: noon to 2am
CAPTION: external view
Chinatown, London. It’s a must visit and a great place to be but, as a tourist, your eye line is bombarded with lights, sounds and restaurant signs.
Just where do you go to eat? OK, you look at menus posted outside various establishments.
You can salivate at the array of duck in one and also view at the various testimonials in the windows of others.
But, sadly, that’s not guaranteed to provide a mouth-watering winner.
Sometimes, glitz is not best. I’ve tried several establishments in Chinatown on business trips and the quality of food has varied.
Word-of-mouth works in business and it was spot-on with Mr Kong. We loved it.
If you want a quiet meal, forget it. If you want top drawer service, Forget it. If you want good cooking, atmosphere and a piping hot food then Mr Kong is the place for you.
The menu has something for everybody, from plain, to vegetarian to exotic. We chewed over steamed razor clam with glass noodles and garlic of fried cuttlefish garlic sprout and Balechan sauce.
However, the consensus was to go for crispy aromatic Szechuan duck as a starter. It was cooked in its own marinade and then crispy fried. It arrived with wheaten pancakes, spring onion and cucumber accompanied by hoy sin sauce. The meat was tender and the food came piping hot. A great choice.
I’m not a lover of sweet and sour pork, but Jennifer is. The sauce was packed with flavour but not overpowering of the meat. I pinched a bit and enjoyed it.
Sath and I plumped for crispy chilli beef. The beef was beautifully cooked and the sauce was just right.
A steaming bowl of rice accompanied the dish and nothing was left over.
The place was packed on a midweek night. And, judging by the noise, and the happy faces, we weren’t the only ones to have enjoyed a great night.
It’s the second time that Jen and Sath have been to Mr King’s. They’re just back from a trip to Hong Kong and Thailand so they have some experience of traditional Chinese cooking in the Far East.
They enjoy Mr Kong. Trust me, it will be up there when we consider meeting in Central London.

SLOW BOAT FROM RATHO

Canal cruising
from The Bridge Inn
27 Baird Road
Ratho
EH28 8RA
0131 333 1320
www.bridgeinn.com
Open seven days

It’s a bitter night. The thermometer had plunged to minus 7C. It’s been snowing and the roads are treacherous. Not the best start to an evening and the lure of a dinner by the fire was strong.
However, we made the trip to the canal cruise from The Bridge Inn at Ratho and came away warmed by the experience.
It’s over 30 years since Pam and I had been on a similar cruise from The Bridge Inn situated in a village on the west side of Edinburgh.
That cruise was on Midsummer Night and was also memorable as we were stuck in the mud several times and we arrived home at 2.30am.
On this occasion the skipper also had problems. He had to back-up and turn on the power to break the ice but it was, once again, something we’ll not forget.
The attentive staff made everybody welcome aboard the 36-capacity craft and the Pride of Belhaven chugged its way up the Union Canal.
The floodlight on top of the boat lit up the banks and it was somewhat surreal as the ice cracked and the barge slowly made its way up the canal whose banks were covered in thick snow.
Thankfully, it was cosy inside the spacious cabin and the diners who called off because of the inclement weather were the ones who missed out.
I’d eaten the day before at 125mph on the East Coast main line train returning to Edinburgh from London. This was totally different.
The leisurely pace of the barge, in contrast, allows one to chill out and the smell of the food from the galley increased the experience.
Starters were considered as an accordionist played in the background, a nice touch for this Saturday night cruise on the eve of St Andrew’s Day.
Cock a leekie soup, partan bree topped with seared scallops or mini beef and haggis olives with red onion marmalade were the options.
Pam went traditional and the soup proved a winner. Piping hot and full of flavour.
Spot on for a cold night.
My beef and haggis olives were most enjoyable. The seasoning in the haggis was just right and the cold red onion marmalade added to the dish.
We then had four options for main course. Braised Borders lamb shank stuck out for me as a nap selection. I’ve savoured this dish at home and abroad and I was keen to see how this would match up.
Pam had more of a selection quandary. The homemade vegetarian haggis and char grilled aubergine parcel, wild mushrooms and tarragon sauce looked mouth-watering.
However, it eventually came down to a straight choice between skirlie stuffed chicken supreme with haggis tattie dauphinoise, whisky and Arran mustard cream or trio of Scottish salmon with orange zest and caper crème fraiche.
Pam loathes whisky and was veering towards the salmon but, eventually, chicken won and her fears over the sauce were misplaced. It was mild and added to the overall taste of the dish.
My lamb was wonderful. The meat fell off the bone and the red wine and herb sauce was perfect, bringing out the sweetness in the lamb but not overpowering the dish.
We both loathe soggy vegetable and on-board chef Lee Skelton must be complemented in producing broccoli, carrots and green beans which had just the right amount of crunch.
Thankfully, the staff gave us time to digest the first two courses before asking for our pudding selection.
Wild berry cranachan with shortbread was a possible or trio of Scottish cheeses but we both decided that warm spiced rhubarb strudel with ice cream was ideal for a cold night.
The sharp rhubarb taste was complimented by cinnamon, a brilliant mixture, however the double whammy on the taste buds did tend to negate the flavour of the vanilla ice cream and the pastry was a tad disappointing.
Coffee and mints followed. I always feel it is bad policy for a restaurant to just offer one cup. It seems so stingy and we were not disappointed here. A second was offered and it was accepted gratefully as we were about to disembark into the freezing weather.
The cruise took around three hours and I’d have no hesitation in recommending it, not just for the experienced but for the food.
It can’t be easy cooking in a restricted space and without all the equipment you would have on land. Take a bow Lee.
Rachel and Graham Bucknall took over at The Bridge Inn earlier in 2010. They have lived in the village for several years and are desperate to see the well-known venue climb up the culinary charts.
Long-term plans include turning the clock back with the decor – not before time – to make The Bridge Inn once again a country local.
They also, when possible, use produce from their garden including apples from the orchard for their apple pie and pork from their Saddleback pigs.
Plans are already laid to extend the garden and grow more produce. More power to their elbow.
The are working hard to re-launch the venue and their energy is to be commended. So is a night cruising, even in sub-zero temperatures.

HEAVENLY FOOD AT ANGELS

FLAIR: Chef Paul Whitehouse

Angels with Bagpipes
343 High Street
Royal Mile
Edinburgh
EH1 1PW
0131 220 1111
www.angelswithbagpipes.co.uk
Open seven days

EDINBURGH’S atmospheric Royal Mile houses an eclectic mix of historical attractions, tourist shops, restaurants, eateries and pubs.
During the world-famous Edinburgh Festival it is a major focal point for tourists and street entertainers.
The street also is also at the centre of Scotland’s legal system, being the home of both the High Court of Justiciary and the Court of Session.
It’s no surprise then that Marina Crolla picked the location, but the restaurant faces stiff competition.
A name can be crucial and she admitted agonising over Angels with Bagpipes. It arrived after spotting an angel during a walk through nearby St Giles Cathedral, the High Church of Edinburgh, which is directly opposite the 90-cover restaurant. Divine intervention?
Marina also thought long and hard over the key appointment of a head chef and she eventually recruited award-winning Paul Whitecross. Under his guidance, this heavenly restaurant is going from strength to strength.
Attention to detail is evident and he dishes are stunningly-presented. Paul specialises in using produce from Scotland’s extensive food larder then providing an Italian twist, a tribute to Marina’s homeland.
He doesn’t just pay lip service to dietary considerations. I’m lactose intolerant and he obliged in style.
My three courses were subtly altered to provide maximum flavour without diminishing the visual experience.
Seared Orkney scallops, Stornoway black pudding and pea puree (instead of parsnip, because of my diet) was eye-catching and mouth-watering. The scallops were cooked to perfection but my one criticism would be the sauce which was a little tart.
My main was roast rump of Ross-shire lamb, pancetta cabbage and white beans. Artistically a delight and the cherry tomatoes added a welcome extra colour and flavour to a superb dish.
Unassuming Paul saved the best to last. His raspberry soufflé was sublime. It arrived with apple sorbet (succulent Granny Smiths cut quickly with a touch of lemon to maintain colour and speedily frozen). The beautiful dish arrived with a tiny Kilner-type jar packed with raspberry puree – simply wonderful.
The meal was a triumph of innovation and flair by the award-winning chef who has tickled the taste buds of the late, great operatic tenor, Pavarotti, and international film stars Kevin Costner and Samuel L Jackson, plus the owner of car giants Ferrari.
My wife Pam was effusive in her praise of the busy, up-market restaurant. You feel comfortable and looked after by the accommodating team at Angels with Bagpipes.
So, what was her selection? The starter choice included lentil soup, a traditional Scottish dish, with unique twist, shaved chestnuts and truffle oil.
She could also have picked braised pork with white pudding and apple and creamed goats cheese with picked beetroot, apple and balsamic.
Pam also swithered over oak smoked Scottish salmon or terrine of chicken and foie gras but decided to wait for the main.
Her selection was roast cod, smoked haddock and chive potato scone, parsley oil and citrus salsify. It was, once again, beautifully presented and a delight to taste, the flavours merging to provide a tremendous dish.
Alternatives included rib eye of Angus beef with pesto plum tomato and garlic mushrooms, Highland loin of venison with pearl barley, turnip and bitter chocolate (correct) sauce, a risotto of butternut squash, sage and walnuts or pan fired sea bream, handpicked crab ravioli, creamed leeks and lemon butter sauce.
The extra payment for side dishes – buttered spinach at £3.50 and thin cut chips at £2.95 – grated, but that’s a personal thing and, of course, rates are high in the Royal Mile.
However, on to desserts. Pam’s choice was baked date and toffee sponge with puff candy ice cream, pistachio and banana. It could not be faulted.
Once again, the choice was difficult and it included apple and cinnamon crumble with green apple sorbet and a bitter chocolate mousse with passion fruit sorbet and caramel dusted popcorn. Mouth-watering.
Simply, Angels with Bagpipes is a gastronomic treat to be experienced. The hand-prepared main dishes (without sides which are ordered separately) come at a cost and ranged from £12.95 (risotto) to £20.95 (rib eye of Angus beef) on the night we were there, however, it is memorable.

LANCERS: A FIXTURE FOR 25 YEARS

Lancers Brasserie
5 Hamilton place
Stockbridge
Edinburgh
EH3 5BA
0131 332 3444
0131 332 9559
info@lancersbrasserie.co.uk
www.lancersbrasserie.co.uk
Open daily: 12-2.30 and 5.30 to 11.30

STOCKBRIDGE is one of my favourite places in Edinburgh, an up-market village-style area within a lively, Capital city.
Lancers Brasserie has been a fixture in the area for over 25 years and it has collected a string of awards during that time.
It calls itself Edinburgh’s finest Bengali and North Indian Restaurant and the web site declared: “In choosing Lancers Brasserie you have paid us a compliment and set us the task of living up to your standards.”
It has been featured on Channel 4’s Currie Connection, is listed in major food guides and has been named as the best Indian restaurant in Scotland by the Good Curry Guide as well as being labelled one of the best Indian restaurants in Great Britain by The Guide to Edinburgh’s Best.
A Les Routiers Hospitality Award came the restaurants way in 2000 so expectations were exceedingly high, particularly as Lancers has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment.
Management hope the recent face-lift will ensure clients “enjoy the meal of your life”. That is a huge build-up.
Naturally, are expectations were extremely high. So, were we blown away?
Sadly not. Lancers enjoys a central location, minutes from the heart of Scotland’s Capital city, and it has style. The linen table cloths were beautifully starched, the cutlery spotless and the distinctive dinner service, with hot plates, a positive plus.
The food is good, the restaurant and toilets are spotless, and the modern decor definitely up-market and stylish, but little things count at the top end.
The lighting was too bright and the service, although slick, lacked panache. The menu is huge. It took time to digest but Pam’s starter, a house speciality of Lancers’ assorted kebabs, was wonderful. The assortment of tandooried kebabs melted in the mouth and none were too hot to handle. An ideal way to begin the meal.
I was, however, disappointed with the Murgh Cocktail. It looked delicious. Chicken minced with onions, special herbs and spices, skewered and barbecued tandoori murgh on a bed of salad.
Visually it looked good, however, the dish was on the dry side and, after the first of three cocktails, it became bland. It didn’t help that the lemon provided to give the dish added zest lacked liquid.
I was, however, uplifted by the main. There is a huge selection and, interestingly enough, there is a French, yes French, alternative.
I mused over several including Lancers classics including Badami Korma, a mild, delicate sauce of natural yoghurt, cream, almonds, coconuts, fresh herbs and spices, or Danask, a rate combination of herbs and spices prepared with lentils and pineapple, but eventually plumped for Khatta Tarkary. This is available in chicken or lamb. I plumped for lamb.
The meat was to taste and the sliced garlic, fresh herbs and tomato sauce was packed with flavour. The flavours merged deliciously to provide a wonderful main and the accompanying nan, coated with fresh garlic and coriander, was spot on. A delightful dish.
Pam was equally enthusiastic about her Shahjahani Murgh. The chicken plus almonds and sultanas was cooked in a mild sauce. None of the flavours was overpowering and the mix was intoxicating. A lovely dish.
Portions were just right and after two courses we were replete. Sweets were declined.
Interestingly, Lancers have a vegetarian dinner for one or two, as well as a number of vegetarian starters and main dishes on the menu.
They also boast a number of special meals recommended as a suitable introduction to Bengali and North Indian cuisine.
Also, the restaurant has two other dining rooms including a discreet one called the Officers’ Club with a separate bar for 20 diners. We enjoyed the experience and would return, but would hope that the little things were corrected to make Lancers an unforgettable experience.
PS: They also do a take-way menu. And it is extensive.

ROTTERDAM: A SURPRISE PACKAGE

ROTTERDAM, Europe’s biggest port, and internationally known for its modern architecture, design and creativity, also features a number of festivals ranging from a BladeRun rally to the largest Carribean carnival summer party in Europe and, together, they form a major plank in the city’s tourism promotion.
Rotterdam is conveniently close to Den Haag, the seat of Government of The Netherlands, and the vibrant city of Amsterdam, renowned the world over for its canals and bicycles, so it is an ideal base for touring.
We had a whistle-stop, one-day, tour and had our eyes opened, not just by the variety of the offering but also in the food.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE: The Dutch are past masters at invention and discovery. Dutch scientists and engineers have made a remarkable contribution to human progress as a whole, from something as simple as the sawmill to microbiology. It is also home to a number of fine museums.
The Boijmans, one of the oldest museums in The Netherlands, includes Dutch and European masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 21st century.
From ancient to modern. Towering above the city is the 185-metre Euromast. The concrete skeleton was built in 23 days and a restaurant, 92 metres high, serves an international cuisine.
Below lies Europe’s first pedestrianised shopping area was opened in the Lijnbaan in 1953 and it offers a choice of large stores and small boutiques. It is also an area for clubs and theatres.
Modern buts on to historical and the city, devastated during the Second World War, still boasts impressive relics of the past. Historic ships contrast with the modern backdrop in Oude Haven (Old Harbour) where the first skyscraper in Europe was built in 1989.
The Maritime Museum is the oldest in the country with over 500,000 exhibits and the working Harbour Museum (free) features operating cranes and where traditional crafts are demonstrated.
Consider buying a welcome card which offers discounts of 25 per cent to 50 attractions (museums, restaurants and entertainment venues) plus up to three days unlimited travel.

EATING OUT: We sauntered into versatile Smaak. Located in at Westelijk Handelsterrein, it serves lunch, cocktails and dinner. The comfortable and informal setting was ideal for our party. So was the menu. There was bags of choice. The marinade of Norwegian salmon was tempting, so was the beef carpaccio (pine nuts, chives, bacon, Parmesan cheese, capers and a raspberry dressing).
I was also interested by sushi of mackerel, avacado and an apple and curry chutney but I plumped for a cold salmon salad which was superb. Others had spicy pumpkin soup with chopped spring onion and bacon which was also appreciated.
Main was also a problem, for all the right reasons. Skate with green asparagus, tomatoes and lemon beurre blanc was interesting so was the lamb fillet with a terrine of sweet potatoes, mini carrots, spinach, cream of pea and cress and port sauce. Indonesian-style chiken was tempting I eventually plumped for a simple steak.
I was fortunate. I enjoy rare and it came like that. Surprisingly, nobody was asked for their preference, a real downer particularly for those who don’t do rare.
For sweet, even the French in our party liked the vanilla creme brule. There was also white chocolate panacotta, salad of blood orange and blackberry jelly but I opted for sorbet. It was beautifully presented and came in three flavours with nuts. It was so good I had to fend off some admiring fellow diners.
There is a choice not just on the menu. This quality restaurant also has an undercover terrace for those who want to sample the dishes from around the world in an even more laid-back environment.
Restaurant Smaak (Restaurant Smaak: Van Vollenhovenstraat 15, Rotterdam, Netherlands (tel:+31 (0)10 436 2294; +31 (0)10 436 2294, e-mail: info@restaurantsmaak.nl
cost three course set menu: £35 - £50 per person. Open every day from noon) is one of many wine and dine venues in the Westelijk Handelsterrein complex, and the converted warehouse, which dates from 1894, is only a short walk from the main harbour area. Smaak, incidentally, translates into taste in English. This establishment has taste in more than once sense.
Also, if you don’t fancy a full meal, try Stadhuisplein which has popular bars and pavement cafes. Every night is party night in that area.
MaHo is another place for a drink with a variety of coffee bars, pubs, lunchrooms, take-aways and restaurants. You won’t want for somewhere to sit, refresh yourself and watch the world go by in Rotterdam but there is plenty to do and see.

SLEEPOVER: We stayed at the well-appointed Inntel Hotel, Rotterdam Centre, overlooking the harbour. Our room was E120 (shower only, facing the street) and breakfast £18. The room, which thankfully had a really comfortable bed, had all modern features and a mini bar and tea/coffee making facilities but, irritatingly, a 1ltr bottle of still water was charged at E4.95 and 0.5ltr at E3.50. The breakfast had fruit and cereal options followed by a selection of meat and cheese or cooked (scrambled eggs and sadly off-putting, greasy bacon). The selection of rolls and bread was a bonus. Residents enjoy high-speed, free internet access and it is well used by businessmen who can enjoy the meal plus a glass of champagne. A gym and small swimming pool is open from 6am to 11pm. I opted out.

ROUND-OFF: The bustling, industrial city of Rotterdam was not on the top of my must-see destinations. However, it surprised me with its variety and versatility. The old part has charm but it is overshadowed by the ever-changing skyline. The contemporary art had appeal and you have to hand it to the city’s PR machine for the variety of their attractions now on offer. They are trying hard to promote the city and it is worth a look as it is so close to Amsterdam which remains the No 1 tourist trap.

GETTING THERE: By EasyJet to Schiphol, Amsterdam, and then by train to Rotterdam (around 35 mins). It could not be easier as the train station buts onto the airport. The station at Rotterdam is in the heart of the city.

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE IN BARNARD CASTLE

Spice Island
9 Market Place
Barnard Castle
DL12 8NF
01833 630575
Open seven days: 5.30pm to 11pm

It’s after 8pm in Barnard Castle and we’d been driving for nearly two hours heading for Hartlepool from Blackpool after a day of meetings.
We were hungry and frustration was creeping in after one pub said they stopped serving food at 2pm and another was also closed for meals.
Sadly, there is too much of that in Britain, but that’s another story. Thankfully, and out of desperation, I asked the second publican if anybody sold food in the town at that time of night.
“There’s a very good Indian three doors down,” he said. We thanked him and headed for it as hunger pangs were increasing rapidly.
The Spice Island came into view. First impressions were encouraging. The modern decor indicated that care and attention to detail was important to the owners.
The question was, would that extend to the food? The fully air conditioned restaurant claimed to serve “exquisite” Indian cuisine.
The extensive menu didn’t disappoint neither did the service, slick and efficient without being overbearing.
Dishes can vary so much between Indian restaurants so my business colleague Elaine and I decided to ask the waiter for his suggestions.
We both wanted something mild but packed with flavour so he had a wide selection to pick from.
Elaine was looking for a chicken dish and our waiter suggested hariali, lean chicken marinated and barbecued over the tandoor, cooked with fresh garlic, ginger, chilli, cream and spinach. The mild dish was served with pilau rice.
I prefer lamb so he came up with devdasi, braised, golden brown, tender lamb in onion, garlic, ginger and un-ground garam massala also served with pilau rice.
Elaine’s dish looked superb with the greenness of the spinach contrasting beautifully with the creamy, yellow sauce. What’s more it tasted wonderful. All the flavours came through and the mixture was superb.
My lamb was visually eye-catching and it was packed with flavour. Once again, all the elements could be defined – including the bay leaves - and the overall affect was stunning.
Portions were just right and the accompanying pilau rice came in a pyramid which was aesthetically pleasing.
Around 90 per cent of the dishes on the menu are Balgladeshi-based and chef Rafique Uddin deserves credit.
The well-established, family run restaurant was busy even on a balmy Thursday night. They deserve the custom.
There are also other branches nearby. If I’m ever back that way then I’ll pop in. Both Elaine and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.