1/10/16 Tandoori Connosseur Sonning Common

Tandoori Connoisseur in Sonning Common on a very wet evening. Prettily folded napkins. Gold coloured tablecloth. Indian music. Nice enough atmosphere would have been even better if restaurant was fuller. 

Poppodums crispy but not warm. Alan had Sheek Keebab and Chicken Korai  and I had my usual.
Kebab and chicken tikka came on a sizzler. Tikka served with salad. Service good. Really hot towels8/10

28.8.16 the Palm

Seven of us celebrated the bank holiday with a visit to the Palm. The food was very nice but the experience was marred by the quality of the service! The company was good so it was a very pleasant evening overall.

The booking was for 7:45 and drinks  order was taken in the foyer at 7:50. The men were served and we were seated. The men had finished their beers before the girls' drinks had even arrived.
The table was laid for 6 not seven but we had to keep asking for and extra place settings.... a plate.... some cutlery... no serviette appeared. We asked fro water twice... but we didn't have any glasses to drink it from.

Poppadums were served at 8:15 and some starters arrived at 8:50, again some had finished before others were served.Starters includes chicken lollipop, Goan seafood platter and a peshwari naan.

Mixed chicken tikka (K),  karakai (E), murgh Jaipuri (A), Reshmi tikka (T), Butter chicken (C), Chicken Korma (Z) were the main meals ordered and enjoyed. John however struggled with his "spicy" Dansak! The menu had said 2 chillies- fairly hot but warning hadn't been strong enough. He lost his taste buds.

To top it all, the towels weren't opened for us and there were only 6  not 7 After Eights!

We will not be rushing back!!
Very difficult to mark as the food was good but the constant looking out for waiters to come and attend to us had an impact.
6 1/2

17.9.16 The Nawab Newbury

Following a cinema visit to see Blair Witch, less said about the film the better we decided to try the Nawab in Newbury. We last visited about two years ago before we started the blog and weren't impressed! 

We were downstairs rather than upstairs this time so the atmosphere /decoration was better
Started with the poppadums, a little stale. The pickles were nothing special,  Alan missed the lime pickle, There wasn't a spicy option.

I had the usual and Alan samosas for starters, which could have been crispier, followed by Korai chicken. The service was quick and I had a salad with my sizzling chicken tikka.

Alan said it was very average and lacked spice and gave it a five. I liked the atmosphere and gave it 6. So I guess overall a 5 1/2. From memory I would say a lot better than last time but still a way to

go.

28.8.16 The Palm Hungerford

Seven of us got together to enjoy the bank holiday. Decided to visit The palm again. we will not be returning agin soon!
The food was as expected but th service was atrocious!
The table was booked for 7:45. Drinks orders were taken in teh foyer at 7:50. The men were served thier beers. We were then taken to our table and teh men fiinishe dtheir beers befor ethe ladies had had their firts drink. the table was laid fro 6 instead of seven and we had to ask severla time for an extra setting. We were given a plat.... after asking agin.... some citlery, the serviette never appeared.
The poppadums arrived at 8:15.
Some starters arrived at 8:50. Again some finished before others were served.
Starters included ... chicken lollipop, Goan seafood platter, peshwari naan.
WE aske dfor water which eventually came, but no glasses.
 Main course arrived at 9:45!!!!
Mixed chicken tikka, no accompanying salad ( K),  Karakai  (E) Murgh jaipuri (A)   Reshmi tikka (T), Butter chicken (C) Korma (Z) and John's tastebud were lost in the Dansak. he ordered this 2 chilli dish despite the information in teh menu saying that is was failry hot.
 John commentated how small the toilets were compared to the size of the restaurant and Chrissie mentioned how slippery the toilet floors were. However there was plenty of time to visit them.
The evening was a pleasant evening due to the company but the overall experience was marred by the very poor service.... and no apology. well they didn't get a tip.
To top it all, there were only 6 After Eights.

6 1/2

20.8.16 River Spice Reading

All four of us out tonight to celebrate  Tesni' s university acceptance.
Lovely setting, had a table near the window looking out at the Thames. The weather wasn't as nice as last time which had an impact on the view.

Poppadums nice and crispy though the pickles dished didn't quite fit on the plate/tray
Alan's starters was an kebab and was "nice and spicy"
The others had naan bread as a starter.



 For mains, Alan had chicken korai, Trystan had chicken tikka masala and Tesni and I had chicken tikka.
 No salad:(
We made a mess with the rice.
Quick friendly service. Two birthdays celebrate din the restaurant. 
Food maybe not as good as last time .
 Cloth wipes, opened by waiter and I love having a rose with the after eights 
7 1/2.

13.8.16 Sheba, Brick Lane, London

Hustlers in the street. Brick Lane famous for Indian restaurants. Sheba voted best  Curry house in 2015
 Indian music. Bollywood's dancing on the screen.  Bollywood photos on the wall. Noisy/ vibrant.
White tablecloth, good service.
Didn't quite get a large coke! Need to order a pint next time. 

Alan wanted a 4 chilli dish but decided against as it was lamb  lamb. Chose  Two chilli  dish which was very hot! but very appetising dish-Kali Hali Mitch Murghi. 
Bombay potatoes were  also very spicy.
Chiicken tikka served on a sizzler . 

Very generous portions of main meal.
I say 7 1/2
Alan says 8

23.7.16 Chillies Pontarddulais

Extensive menu.
Beer cold, coke ...not so. 
No tablecloth.
Proper lemon squeezer. 
Indian music, friendly service started quickly but staggered main meal service.
Elton's Jalfrezi very hot. Alan enjoyed Goa Vindaloo.  My tikka quite nice.
Alan complained about the uncomfortable seats.
 Above average 7 1/2