GRAND DURBAR: TWO DECADES OF MEALS TO SUIT

Grand Durbar 294 Melton Street Leicester LE4 7PB 0116 266 6099 Open seven days (12-3; 6-11) RATING: FOOD: 4/5 AMBIANCE: 3/5 BEER SELECTION: 3/5 SERVICE: 5/5 TOILETS: 3/5 WEBSITE: 1/5 TOTAL: 19/30 THE blurb said this family run business had a fantastic reputation built up over two decades. That’s a huge claim and it had to be put to the test. I took the 15-minute taxi ride from the centre of Leicester was worth it. Grand Durbar sits on the city’s Golden Mile and first impressions are deceiving. It sits amongst a non-descript row of buildings and the small entrance hall to the 55-seat restaurant also includes a bar. The warmth of the welcome was encouraging. Again, the decor was not plush. However, the menu was extensive and the service slick. Any diet and allergy concerns were quickly alleviated. Meals were tailored to suit. My vegetarian vegetable cutlets were packed with flavour even if the accompanying side salad was basic. However, my Shashlick was special. It’s blend of onions, green peppers and tomato cooked in mossala spices was expeptional. So was the mixed vegetable rice. None of the vegetables, which included cauliflower, were mushy and all had a crunch. Durbar means audience chamber. We’ll, this chamber deserves a visit.