Category: 4. Takeaways

Three new cheers

On By Daniel FordIn 4. Takeaways2 Comments

Saaki, Liss, Hampshire
(Takeaway)

It takes a brave restaurateur to run an Indian virtually opposite a much-publicised competitor. But despite being in the shadow of the renowned Madhuban, the neighbouring Saaki continues to serve this small Hampshire village with good food.

Assuming it doesn’t just survive off the overflow of people from up the road, which is unlikely, it must be doing something right to have been here for a number of years.

One thing it offers, if its menu is to be believed, is an astonishing range of ‘New’ dishes on its menu. No fewer than 32 of the items on the menu are flagged as such  and these certainly include some interesting dishes such as the delightfully named Chot Poti starter –a mix of chick peas, yellow lentils and potatoes cooked in lemon juice and spices – and the Lamb Tropical Mango using a blend of hot spices and mango chutney.

Ah, when in Rome… First up in the new stakes is the Chicken Napalize (£7.95) a sort of less-cloying version of butter chicken with peppers and onions, delivered with the most uniform strips of chicken I’ve ever had in a curry. This I had with new garlic rice (£2.95). No holding back on the garlic here, so much so that I could sense the wild village snails slithering for cover as I strolled home. All good so far, but there in the new side dishes I found it: Tuk Baigon (£3.25), the best aubergine dish ever. Mushy, but a good mushy, the aubergine is marinated in lemon juice and the tanginess just worked perfectly with the creamy chicken and rice. Three cheers for new.

Aubergine genius

So once ordered it’s time for a pint of Cobra while waiting (I never can understand people who ring ahead so they don’t have to wait) while reading the papers in the waiting area which has been screened off nicely so you feel as if you are in the restaurant without intruding into the evening of other diners.

Parking: on-street parking along Station Road.
Delivery: free within five miles for minimum orders of £10.
Specials: 10% discount on takeaways.
Beer while you’re waiting: Saaki is a fully licensed restaurant or the Whistle Stop pub is a short walk away.

Saaki, 73 Station Road, Liss, Hampshire, GU33 7AD. Tel: 01730 895455. Open: daily noon–2pm, 5.30pm–11.30pm (midnight Fri–Sat).

Saaki snapshot

Food ① ② ③

Waiting area  ① ② ③

Value ① ② ③ ④

Service and friendliness ① ② ③ ④

All change for the drunks

On By Daniel FordIn 4. TakeawaysLeave a comment

Simply Indian, Aldershot (Takeaway) UPDATE

Since my last visit Simply Indian has become a takeaway because “we can’t continue to deal with the hassle and the drunks.” Very sad because when it was a BYO and I was told enthusiastically, “we just want to concentrate on good food,” this was a great little restaurant.

The guys in charge are still friendly but there is a sense they’ve lost heart. Seeing a shell of what was a nice friendly restaurant is a bit sad and although the space means the waiting area is large, as it would if you convert a restaurant into a takeaway, it feels a bit ramshackle. Shame on you hassle people and drunks.

The basic Chicken Rogan (£5.95) and Pilao Rice (£2.30) was decent enough but this is no longer a place you’d go out of your way to visit.

• Simply Indian, 14-16 Station Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU11 1HT. Tel: 01252 330 070 or 01252 336 667. Open: Daily 5.30pm-11pm.

Simply Indian snapshot

Food ① ②

Waiting area ① ②

Value ① ② ③

Service and friendliness ① ② ③ ④

Spiced out waiting

On By Daniel FordIn 4. TakeawaysLeave a comment

Khan’s, Liverpool
(Takeaway)

In a snap survey of friends and Twitter people most people seem to think if you order an Indian to be delivered you should get it within 45 minutes. So Khan’s effort of an hour and 10 minutes to deliver four dishes just over a mile falls way short. Even if we’re understanding and realize it’s a Saturday night it’s still a long wait.

One of our party fell asleep waiting while another resorted to pacing the room like a caged animal in need of a spice fix.

Of course, when you’re hungry, no-one pays too much attention to the food quality but I can report that the Chicken Jalfriezi (£5.20) was certainly extra spicy as requested, the Chicken Pathia (£5.20) sauce was a bit watery but had that balance of sweet and sour and although the Chicken Tikka Biryani (£5.90) looked as good as any biryani I’ve ever seen the tikka taste was missing from the meat.

All in all, it filled a hole on a Saturday night but not much more sadly. I really must stop ordering from places that also sell doners and pizzas…

Delivery: free within three miles for minimum orders of £9. The food arrived 70 minutes after the order was taken.

Specials: 10% discount on delivery orders over £30 and a 10% discount for orders that are collected. Free Onion Bhaji for orders over £10 which are collected.

Khan’s, 52 Walton Vale, Liverpool L9 2BU Tel: 0151 530 4920. Open: Daily 4.30pm–late.

Khan’s snapshot

Food ① ②

Delivery service ① ②

Value ① ② ③

Service and friendliness ① ② ③

Curry and doner meat

On By Daniel FordIn 4. TakeawaysLeave a comment

Tandoori Nites, London E14
(Takeaway)

If you fancy a curry and your mate wants a doner then this is the part of London for you. Always makes me wary when a food place attempts to be everything to everyone but there’s so much competition round here a lot of takeaways seem to serve everything from curry to kebabs to pizza. Most are curry places at heart though, thank goodness.

The Chicken Dhansak (£4.70) is tasty enough and there’s certainly some kick to the Garlic Chilli Chicken (£7.25) but both sauces were on the watery side and required a bit of soaking up with the Mushroom Rice (£2.40). Not bad though, all in all, for an end-of-night curry.

The specials on the front of the menu are certainly worth checking out as they offer a range of Indian goodies at good prices. How about the Meal for Two with two popadoms, Onion Bhaji, Chicken Tikka, Chicken Kurma, Lamb Madras, Chicken Tikka Massala, Bombay Potato, Mushroom Bhaji, two Pilau Rice, nan bread, mint sauce, onion salad and lettuce salad. Not bad at £25.95. Because I love you I’ve done the sums and that’s £6.50 cheaper than ordering that lot individually.

Parking: on East India Dock Road and side streets.

Delivery: free within four miles for minimum orders of £10. Food was ready quickly for collection.

Specials: free onion salad with all orders and 10% discount on all orders over £10. Get free Bombay Potato or Tarka Dall if you spend £16-£29.99, plus a two-litre soft drink if you spend over £30.

Beer while you’re waiting: the nearest pub is the sparse George IV down Ida Street or the Greenwich Pensioner is five minutes away down Bazely Street.

Tandoori Nites, 235 East India Dock Road, London, E14 OEG. Tel: 020 7531 4331/4332. Open: daily noon–midnight). 

Tandoori Nites snapshot

Food ① ②

Waiting area: ① ②

Value ① ② ③

Service and friendliness ① ② ③ ④

From the north

On By Daniel FordIn 4. TakeawaysLeave a comment

Royal Spice, Docklands, London
(Takeaway)

Fed up with the usual? When you’ve had your fill of Chicken Madras, Prawn Bhuna and Lamb Dupiaza for your Friday night takeaway give Royal Spice’s Gosht e Nobabi (£7.95) a try.

The North Indian dish is not found on too many menus, which is what makes it all the more appealing, and the tender lamb comes beautifully infused with the whole spices it’s been cooked in and is topped with soft pieces of green pepper. It’s got a deep, rich taste and is hot, but not too hot, so will appeal to a wide-range of curry lovers. The strong flavour is not too disimilar to a Rougan Josht that’s been traditonally cooked with whole spices (as opposed to the ‘fried-up with lots of tomatoes’ variety that’s served in most restaurants).

The highly recommended Gosht e Nobabi (right) and Balti Chicken Tikka

Plain rice (£1.75) would be a good choice to go with the dish so as not to detract from its flavours but those after a bit more from their side dishes could do worse than Mushroom Piloa Rice (£2.25).

But curry man cannot live on experimentation alone and Balti Chicken Tikka (£6.95), which comes with a nan, ensures you’ve get a decent portion of old-school tastes. The chicken is well cooked and the tandoori flavour doesn’t get drowned out by the sauce, although this may have a bit of an overload of onions for some tastes.

A nice move from Royal Spice is to offer two sizes of their vegetable side dishes (£2.50 for small and £4.25 for large). Too often you can fancy a couple of side dishes but find it sends the overall cost soaring. The small option is ideal for a couple of tasters. Niramish, mixed fresh vegetables in a dryish sauce and with a kick from green chillis, is to be recommended.

Parking: on West India Dock Road, Gill Street, Three Colt Street, St Anne Street or Burdett Road.

Delivery: free within five miles for minimum orders of £10. The receipt shows the food went out 40 minutes after the order was taken.

Specials: 10% discount on delivery orders over £30 and a 10% discount for orders that are collected. Free bottle of soft drink on delivery orders over £20.

Beer while you’re waiting: Royal Spice is a fully licensed restaurant so no problem with a beer if you are collecting your takeaway.

Royal Spice, 815 Commercial Road, London, E14 7HG. Tel: 020 7536 9902. Open: Mon–Fri 5pm–midnight, Fri and Sat 5pm–12.30am). Text: 07950 271 024 or 07588 833 555. Online orders: http://www.royalspice.uk.com. orders@royalspice.uk.com

Royal Spice snapshot

Food ① ② ③ ④

Delivery service ① ② ③ ④

Value ① ② ③ ④

Service and friendliness ① ② ③ ④

Royal Spice on Urbanspoon

Le curry

On By Daniel FordIn 4. Takeaways1 Comment

Le Popadom, Greenwich
(Takeaway)

Although there’s no apparent reason for the touch of French (menu includes Le Traditional Dishes and Le Tandoori Grills) this takeaway has quickly established itself as one of the best in the area.

Prices are very good (Chicken Madras £4.15, King Prawn Pathia £8.15, Sag Aloo £2.85), food tasty, service is quick (10-15 minutes) and staff friendly. The waiting area is small but smart. And a round of applause for whoever designed the menu; it’s not often takeaway menu will catch your eye, but this handy sized one is smart and classy.

One day you’ll be telling your children of the days when you could get dinner – Chicken Rogan (£4.50), Pilau Rice (£1.95), Keema Nan (£2.05), some Lime Pickle (65p) and a can of Coke (70p) – and still come home with change from a tenner.

Parking: on Greenwich South Street.

Delivery: free within three miles for orders over £10.

Beer while you’re waiting? it might be a bit down-at-heel for some but The Graduate is on the corner opposite.

Le Popadom, 141 Greenwich South Street, London. Tel: 020 8692 6686. Open: daily 5pm-11pm. le_popadom@hotmail.co.uk

Le Popadom snapshot

Food ① ② ③

Waiting area ① ② ③ ④

Value ① ② ③ ④

Service and friendliness ① ② ③ ④

Le Popadom on Urbanspoon

Real tasty

On By Daniel FordIn 4. TakeawaysLeave a comment

Tasty Hut, Dublin, Ireland
(Takeaway)

One of many cheap-and-cheerful takeaway places along this strip, which is about a 15-minute walk from the centre. It’s worth the walk as the prices plummet as you head away from tourist central to the locals’ hangouts. This place also offers a ‘eat all you can buffet’ (€5.99) out back on a few tables but is essentially a takeaway place.

Delivery: daily 5pm to midnight (1am on Fri and Sat)

Specials: Rice/naan or chips with any main course, 1.5 litre Coke or 7up, poppadoms, mint sauce and onion dip free when you spend more than €50.

Tasty Hut, 61 Upper Dorset Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. Tel: +34 1 8733 756. Open: noon to 4am.

Tasty Hut snapshot

Food ① ② ③

Waiting area ①

Value ① ② ③

Service and friendliness ① ② ③

As it says

On By Daniel FordIn 4. TakeawaysLeave a comment

Curry Tandoor, Beckenham
(Takeaway)

Straight, simple and to the point. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense takeaway with decent prices and with a pub nearby for a pint if you are collecting, Curry Tandoor hits the spice spot.

There’s nothing elaborate about the place but the food comes promptly and at great prices (vegetable main dishes from £3.35, chicken classics £4.55 and even specials like Honey lamb at £5.65).

I just wish they’d told me about the 15% discount for collection orders over £15. With my bill hovering below that it would have actually been cheaper to order another (cheapish dish), pass the £15 mark and get the discount!

Parking: street parking on the Bromley Road or roads off it.

Delivery: free within three mile radius for minimum orders of £12. A charge of £2.50 if it’s under £12.

Specials: 15% discount for orders that are collected.

Beer while you’re waiting: the Oakhill is nearby and has a pleasant enough outside area, albeit by the road.

Curry Tandoor, 76 Bromley Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 5NP. Tel: 020 8658 4081. Open: Tues–Sun 5.30pm–11.30pm (midnight on Sat and Sun).

Curry Tandoor snapshot

Food ① ② ③

Waiting area ① ②

Value ① ② ③ ④

Service and friendliness ① ② ③