Indian & Nepalese

Bristol

AHMED’S CURRY CAFE
1e Chandos Rd, Redland, BS6 6PG
Tel: 0117 946 6466/07747 034886 (daytime reservations) web: www.ahmedscurrycafe.co.uk
Much more relaxed than your usual Indian restaurant, this cosy curry cafe does a great range of food at unbelievably great prices. Food is fresh, GM-free and prepared in an open kitchen. The traditional thalis are a great way of trying out different flavours. It’s fully licensed, so there’s an extensive wine list alongside the usual Indian beers. Also does takeaway. Described as a ‘very special little restaurant’ by the Evening Post, and who are we to argue. They’re about to launch a new home delivery service, Curry to Goa - geddit? Menu S: whole peppers stuffed with lightly spiced chicken or vegetables. M: haandi lamb; aloo machli: whole trout with tomatoes, onion & coriander sauce Price ALC: from £2.50/from £4.25/from £2. SD: early bird happy hour deals available daily, check for current prices Wine list Extensive. Indian beers. HW approx £10 btl Open Sun-Thur 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12midnight. Major credit cards. Home delivery service. Keep an eye out (or phone) for regular happy hour deals & offers. Tiffin takeaway club.

AL’S HOT & SPICY CAFE-BAR & RESTAURANT
223 North St, BS3 1JJ
Tel: 0117 966 9008
A second outlet south of the river (Al’s Tikka Grill – see below - being the first) does exactly what it says on the tin: offers top-notch hot and spicy Indian dishes at extremely reasonable prices. It’s brighter and smarter than the original, but the welcome is as friendly, the mood as informal and the Bollywood soundtrack as cheesy as the name Al’s has always promised. Work your way through the old classics - bhunas, dopiazas, baltis - or try a chef’s special, such as tandoori trout or chicken stroganoff. Also open for breakfast, including – oddly – a full traditional English fry-up. Menu S: lamb shashlik (cooked with onions, green pepper, tomatoes, salad). M: methi chicken (cooked with fenugreek leaves, special spices) Price Curry from £4.95, set menu (for 2) from £22.95 Wine list Full range of wines, beers, spirits Open Mon-Fri 9am-2.30pm & 6-11pm, Sat & Sun 9am-2pm. Children welcome – starter selection recommended. Disabled access. Groups welcome.

AL’S TIKKA GRILL
33 Ashton Rd, Ashton, BS3 2EG
Tel: 0117 985 3016/953 5950
A long-standing fave with Venue readers - working man’s cafe by day turns into cosy, candlelit Indian BYO bistro by night, considered by its many aficionados to be a real find. The vibe is very community cafe, and the food is very good, although modest in scope, with a selection of tandoori, korma, balti, jalfrezi dishes and more. Unusual selection of side dishes. Menu S: chicken tikka; onion bhaji. M: buttered chicken; makhan chicken. P: indian ice-cream Price ALC: from approx £2/from approx £3.90/from approx £1.75 Wine list Unlicensed but welcome to BYO (small corkage charge) Open Tue-Sat 7am-2pm & 5.30-10.30pm (11pm Fri-Sat), Sun 8am-12noon. Children welcome. Disabled access but no toilet. Major credit cards (not Amex). Parties of 20+ welcome.

BOLLYWOOD SPICE
2 Jacob’s Wells Rd, BS8 1EA
Tel: 0117 930 4194
With its modern interior, spacious layout and Bollywood film/music soundtrack in the background, old India meets the new world here to great success. Serves excellent grub, too. Menu S: wide selection of indian classics. M: wide selection of competent curries of all strengths. P: ice-cream; kulfi Price ALC: from approx £2.95/from approx £6.95/from approx £3 Wine list Beers, lagers, spirits. HW from approx £11 Open Mon-Sat 5.30-11pm, Sun 6-10.30pm. Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties welcome.

BOMBAY DREAMS
24 Alma Vale Rd, BS8 2HY
Tel: 0117 317 9889
The sister restaurant of Lal Jomi in Redland (see listing below), Bombay Dreams is a lovely little place with really great food, generous portions and fantastic value to boot. Stylish and chic, the pastel colours, clever lighting and comfy booths create a discreet, sophisticated ambience, and the huge menu features traditional and modern Indian dishes guaranteed to enthuse even the most hardened curryophile. Menu S: prawn puri; mixed starters (chicken tikka, sheesh kebab, onion bhaji). M: chicken cooked with onions, green peppers, coriander and other herbs; trout bhuna. P: ice-cream; kulfi Price ALC: from £3/from £6/from £3 Wine list Extensive, international, plus Indian beers and soft drinks Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 6-11.30pm (Fri-Sat till 12midnight). Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties welcome.

BOMBAY SPICE
10 The Mall, Clifton, BS8 4DR
Tel: 0117 970 6066
Fresh, modern restaurant combining Anglo/Indian decor to create a sense of open spaciousness, with individual booths and a comfortable, relaxing feel. The menu is extensive, celebrating the regional diversity of Indian cooking. Bangladeshi options are a speciality. Menu S: vegetable roll of young spinach, green banana and split peas; finely minced lamb cake stuffed with onion, green chilli, fresh mint leaves and cheese. M: native bangladeshi tropical fish cooked in a tandoori oven with chef’s special sauce; Shelong to Delhi Railway Feast (a dish which originated in the railway stations of northern India: chicken breast stuffed with minced lamb, barbecued in a tandoori oven, served with chef’s special sauce). P: kulfi Price ALC: from £3.50/from £6.25/from £3.50 Wine list Some Indian beers. HW from approx £12 btl Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 6-11.30pm. Children welcome, adaptable menu. Disabled access - phone for details. Major credit cards (not Diner’s). Private bookings, up to 54. Parties of 20+ welcome.

BRISTOL RAJ
36 Alma Vale Rd, Clifton, BS8 2HS
Tel: 0117 973 1414, web: www.bristolraj.co.uk
Warm, inviting and bright contemporary Indian diner serving stylishly updated versions of Indian subcontinent classics at wallet-friendly prices. The owners have a second restaurant in Keynsham. Menu S: meat or vegetable samosas made with fresh tamarind; matar paneer. M: chicken, lamb or prawns cooked with bananas, pineapple and sultanas; king prawn gulfi. P: various ice-creams; traditional kulfi Price ALC: from approx £2.80/from approx £6.50/from approx £3 Wine list Extensive, interesting. HW: French, from approx £11 btl. Indian wines & beers Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 5.30pm-12midnight, including bank hols. Children welcome. Disabled access, but not to toilets. Major credit cards (not Diner’s). Takeaway discount 15%; student discount 15% (eat-in only). Home delivery service. Available for private hire (weekdays), up to 60. Parties of 20+ welcome.

BRUNEL RAJ
6-7 Waterloo St, Clifton, BS8 4BT
Tel: 0117 973 2641, web: www.brunelraj.co.uk
Popular upmarket, intimate (it only sits 48) Indian eatery serving popular, upmarket Indian food. After many years experience in catering, brothers Saleh, Musleh, Muflay and Tufayel Ahmed decided to bring their talents together and opened the Brunel Raj in 1997, and their multi-award-winning restaurant is testament to their vision. Listed as one of the Top UK Restaurants by Hardens in 2001 and 2003. Menu S: king prawns marinated with exotic spices and deep fried; fried patties of lamb and chickpeas with garlic and ginger root. M: king prawns marinated in chef’s special medium hot sauce, with rice and salad. P: barfi (special indian sweets) Price ALC: from £3.20/from £6.90/from approx £4. SD: 3 plus side dishes £40 for two people Wine list Mainly European. HW: £12.50 btl, £3 gls. Some Indian lagers Open Daily 12noon-2pm, Sun-Thur 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12midnight. Children welcome, can be specifically catered for (milder versions of dishes, etc). Disabled access but no toilet. Major credit cards (not Diner’s). Takeaway discount 20%. Private hire Sun-Thur, up to 48. Parties of 20+ welcome.

CLIFTON TANDOORI
211 Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2XS
Tel: 0117 973 2491
This long-established restaurant offers Indian classics at great value for money. A host of specialities include chicken pakura, achary chicken or lamb and a delicious fish dish, achlee jool. Menu S: bhajis; chicken chat; fish kebab. M: garlic chilli chicken/beef; chicken shashlik. P: ice-cream Price ALC: from approx £3.80/from approx £5.90/from approx £2.80 Wine list Interesting. HW: from approx £11 btl. Indian beers (Kingfisher, Cobra, etc) Open Daily 12noon-2pm, Sun-Thur 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12midnight. Children welcome. Disabled access possible, phone for advice. Major credit cards (not Diner’s). Discount for nurses and NUS 10%. Takeaway discount 20%. Available for private hire, preferably weekdays, up to 50-60. Parties of 20+ welcome.

CURRY HOUSE
393 Bath Rd, Brislington, BS4 3EU
Tel: 0117 977 9090, web: www.curryhouse-bristol.co.uk
Established for more than two decades, cool but elegant surroundings perfectly complement the contemporary, cosmopolitan, modern and traditional Indian dishes that make up the menu selection here, combining old-world heritage with distinctly new-world flair. Seafood dishes and chef’s specialities are highly recommended. Menu S: sliced chicken tossed with onions, peppers and cucumber, spiced with chat masala; patties of minced lamb, garlic and ginger, seasoned with fresh herbs. M: hot, sweet and sour prawns cooked with lentils and fenugreek; lamb tikka masala (barbecued lamb in masala sauce topped with cashew nuts, fresh cream and whole almonds). P: sweet sponge cake in syrup; authentic Indian specialities Price ALC: from £2.10/from £5/from approx £3 Wine list Thoughtful, well-chosen. HW approx £11 btl. Cocktails, lagers, beers Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2pm, Sun-Thur 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12midnight. Children welcome. Disabled access possible, but call for advice. Major credit cards. Takeaway & home delivery service within south Bristol, free delivery on orders over £15.

EASTERN SPICE
269 Two Mile Hill Rd, Kingswood, BS15 1AX
Tel: 0117 935 2335, web: www.easternspice.co.uk
Delightful neighbourhood curry house established in 1997 which recently introduced a new and slightly more upmarket menu, but which is still offering great food at ridiculously cheap prices. Why have a takeaway when you can eat in for pretty much the same price? Extensive menu with all your favourites, plus a fair few dishes you’ll struggle to find elsewhere. Chef’s specials are highly recommended. Menu S: prawn puri; fish tikka. M: chicken with cashews, almonds and lychees; thalis; vegetarian dishes. P: ice-cream Wine list Small, European. HW from approx £11 btl. Indian beers, soft drinks Price ALC: from £2/from £4/from £2 Open Mon-Thur 5.30-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 5.30pm-12midnight, Sun 5.30-11pm. Open bank hols. Major credit cards. Parties welcome.

EASTERN TASTE
94 St Marks Rd, Easton, BS5 6JH
Tel: 0117 952 0718
A friendly old favourite, with a warm community vibe and bargain-basement prices for top-notch fare. Menu S: samosa; onion bhaji; fishcake kebabs. M: fish curry; kalias; chicken tikka masala. P: kulfi; fresh mango Price ALC: 3 from approx £9 Wine list Not licensed, but BYO available. Indian sweet/salty/mango lassi Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2pm & 6-11pm (11.30pm Fri-Sat). Sun: prior booking only. Children welcome. Disabled access, but not to toilets. Major credit cards (not Diner’s, Amex). Parties of 20+ welcome weekdays.

EXTRAORDINARY TRAVELLING THALI CAFE
64-66 St Marks Rd, Easton, BS5 6JH
Tel: 0117 951 4979, web: www.onestopthali.co.uk
From the people behind Montpelier’s much-loved and permanently busy One Stop Thali (see listing below), the popularity of this new venture (just one year old now) goes to prove that you really can’t have too much of a good thing. Despite the larger size (our man was there on its second weekend and they managed to pack in 140 people over the evening), the new place aims to keep the ethos of the original, serving set meals of curry, dhal and rice at cheap prices in an accessible, cosy and intimate setting - in all other respects it’s One Stop business as usual, with Indian dishes cooked in as authentic a way as possible by chefs from the subcontinent. As well as a strong commitment to seasonality, sustainability and local produce, the famous tiffin service will be available from the Easton restaurant, too. Live music every Sun. Clearly not a team to rest on their laurels, at the time of writing work had nearly finished on a third Thali housed in the former Glasnost premises in Totterdown. Menu S: pakoras (15 varieties changed daily/seasonally); mumbai-style city snacks (potato & cumin bondas, onion bhajis). M: thalis (platter with six dishes, always inc rice and savoury yogurt, with curries and dhals changed daily): northern tahli (vegetarian) £6.95, southern thali (including goan fish curry) £7.95. P: kulfi; orange polenta cake Price ALC: £2.75/£6.95/£2.50. Tiffin takeaway club: £20 (inc insulated stainless-steel thali carrier) gets you your first takeaway thali for free, £6/£7 thereafter (and tiffins serve two!) Wine list All European, all organic. Indian lager. HW: from £12.50 btl, £2.75 gls, £7.75 carafe Open 10am-11.30pm (closed Mon till 6pm). Children welcome. Disabled access, but not to toilets. Cheque & cash only. Parties of 20+ welcome - call in adv.

GANESHA
74 Bedminster Parade, BS3 4HL
Tel: 0117 953 3990, web: www.ganeshaindiancuisine.com
Small, independent, family-run venture offering authentic Indian cuisine from all corners of the subcontinent via a menu that’s a million miles away from your average curry house. The restaurant is small, seating just 30, the decor tasteful and modern, and the soundtrack is low-key Bollywood. You won’t find a madras, vindaloo or jalfrezi anywhere on the menu - whereas your classic Indian mainly serves Bangladeshi-style food, Ganesha are keen to specify the origins of their menu with recipes from Goa and Kerala flagged up as well as Maharashtra, home state of the owners and the chef. Menu S: shallow-fried minced vegetable & spinach patties; chicken chilli fry (cubes of chicken stirfried with hot green chillies, peppers and Indian spices). M: whole lamb shank slowly cooked in rich aromatic creamy sauce; tandoori pomfret (popular indian fish dish marinated in herbs and spices). P: rasmalai (soft cheese dumplings); gulab jamun Price ALC: from £2.50/from £4.95/from £3.45 Wine list HW £11.50 btl, £3.95 gls Open Tue-Sat 12noon-2pm, Tue-Sun 6-11.30pm. Children welcome. Major credit cards. Takeaway available: 10% discount. Free home delivery (four-mile radius, min £15).

GANGES
368 Gloucester Rd, Horfield, BS7 8TP
Tel: 0117 924 5234
The long-established Ganges, proudly displaying its Les Routiers and Egon Ronay awards and certificates, has been serving authentic Indian food for more than two decades now. It’s vividly decorated with large, glittering chandeliers and offers a menu that is equally as vibrant, focusing on the three main regions through which the River Ganges flows: it rises in Tibet, flows through India and reaches the sea at Bangladesh. The major influence, though, comes from north India, so you’ll find the most popular curries – from mild lamb pasanda to a fiery vindaloo king prawn – alongside biryanis on the menu. Very popular, very good. Menu S: tandoori machli; bhajis; mini-kebabs. M: chana gosht pulaw with pilau rice; vegetarian thali with aloo. P: kulfi ice-cream Price ALC: from approx £3/from approx £6/from approx £3. Set menu deals/offers: call for details Wine list Good choice of beers & spirits Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11.30pm. Children welcome, smaller portions available. Major credit cards. Separate dining room for groups, 25-30 max.

JORNA
27 Badminton Rd, Downend, BS16 6BB
Tel: 0117 957 5550
Licensed, contemporary Indian restaurant serving up gorgeously prepared, authentic specialities, including such delights as marinated murgh, gosht and jhinga, cooked in the tandoori oven with tasty spices and sauces. Fully air-conditioned; takeaway also available. Menu S: prawns in pastry, with salad and sour sauce; samosas. M: chicken cooked with bangladeshi vegetables in chef’s own sauce. P: traditional desserts; ice-cream Price ALC: from approx £3/from approx £8/from approx £3 Wine list House wine from around £11 btl Open Daily 6-11pm. Children welcome. Major credit cards. Takeaway discount, free delivery available. Parties/large groups welcome - call for details.

KASHMIR
15 High St, Easton, BS5 6DX
Tel: 0117 952 0004, web: www.kashmirrestaurant.co.uk
The brightly lit screen in the window showing Bollywood highlights belies the calm oasis of stylish brushed steel furniture and pink, art-laden walls within. Kashmir’s not licensed, but will happily let you bring your own, and the atmosphere, bargain prices, fab food and friendly service go straight to your head anyway. ‘Delicious food in a classily distinctive restaurant,’ was the Venue verdict. Excellent veggie options and fabulous special dishes sit happily alongside a familiar (and not-so-familiar) range of curries, sides, etc. Menu S: dhal soup; tandoori trout; samosas. M: lamb rezala; hundi chicken; king prawn karahi. P: traditional desserts Price ALC: from £2.25/from £4.95/from approx £3.25 Wine list BYO Daily 5-11pm. Children especially welcome - English menu for kiddie tastes. Takeaway discount, free home delivery service (min order £10), student discount (10%), outside catering service. Major credit cards. Parties/large groups welcome - call for details.

KATHMANDU
Colston Tower, Colston St, BS1 4XN
Tel: 0117 929 4455, web: www.kathmandu-curry.com
This family-run restaurant brought a la carte Nepalese dining to the city in 2003, and has gone from strength to strength ever since. The family import their own spices from their home village (Bhajungle, which is next to Kritipur in Nepal, gourmet fact-gatherers), giving their fresh, light cuisine a unique flavour, with traditional seafood dishes (including lots of lobster) a speciality alongside excellent vegetarian options. There’s enough on the menu to please curry-house regulars, but venture into Nepalese territory if you want to get the full flavour of what’s on offer. Menu S: nepalese dumplings; tiger prawns simmered in light spices, served in puri bread. M: lamb cooked in charcoal with ginger and garlic, served on a sizzling platter; seafood, lamb, duck or chicken cooked in a nepalese sauce, served with nepalese-style panfried potatoes, asparagus, saffron rice and salad. P: kathmandu sundae; lassi mango Price ALC: from £3.95/from £6.50/from £2.50. Set menus from £16.50pp Wine list HW £10.95 btl Open Daily 12noon-3pm, Mon-Thur 6-11pm, Fri-Sat 6-11.30pm, Sun 6-10.30pm. Children welcome. Disabled access, but call ahead for advice. Major credit cards. Parties welcome, but call ahead for advice. Home delivery/takeaway service.

KOLKATTA KITCHEN
54-56 Bedminster Parade, BS3 4HS
Tel: 0117 963 6668, web: www.kolkattakitchen.co.uk
An offshoot of the city’s much-loved Old India restaurant, Kolkatta Kitchen offers Bedminster’s curry lovers an ideal place to try the same menu available at their older sister but at Bemmy-friendly prices. Specialising in the culinary delights of the many different regions of India and Bangladesh, menus reflect a passion for good food and intense, aromatic flavours, and the retro-modern decor – a benign blend of muted browns and greys, with leathery banquettes, simple dark-wood tables and chairs, and tastefully minimal paintings – is complemented by a subtle Bollywood soundtrack. There’s theatre, too: diners can watch the chefs cook up a storm in the open-plan kitchen. Menu S: lamb chops roasted with pomegranate juice; chargrilled chicken roasted in spiced yogurt with cream cheese. M: prawn curry with garlic, ginger and tamarind; slow-cooked lamb shank with baby potatoes and fresh herbs. P: lemon sorbet; sticky toffee and caramel pie Price ALC: from £3.50/from £4.95/from £2.95 Wine list HW £9.50 btl Open Daily 5.30-11.30pm. Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties welcome.

KRISHNA’S INN
4 Byron Place, The Triangle, Clifton, BS8 1JT
Tel: 0117 927 6864
Part of a small, family-owned chain that, according to one Venue reviewer, ‘explores the rich and diverse possibilities of Indian cuisine that lie beyond the vindaloo/madras/korma spectrum of your average Indian eatery’. Indeed, having sampled over 20 dishes from the main menu (but not all on the same night), he declared ‘each dish, in its own way, is perfect’. Friendly, very reasonably priced and boasting a sturdy selection of dishes, Krishna’s Inn offers a really fresh take on the flavours of Indian subcontinent cuisine, which our charming man describes as ‘Keralan, extended to include dishes the proprietors think will fit. On the evidence of my visits, I’d say their judgement is impeccable. In fact, it was all really good - a smashing place.’ Excellent vegetarian and vegan range. Menu S: cashew nut pakora; egg hoppers. M: ghee roast masala dosa; appam & stew; mangalore fish curry; meen pollichadhu. Plentiful selection of sides/rice/breads. P: fruit-based sweet treats Price ALC: from £4.50/from £4.95/from £2 (service charge may be applied to bill) Wine list Small but perfectly formed bar selection, inc Indian beers. HW approx £11 btl Open Daily 12noon-3pm, Sun-Thur 6-11pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12midnight. Children welcome. Major credit cards. Disabled access – call in adv. Parties welcome – call in adv.

LAL JOMI PAVILLION
2 Harcourt Rd (off Coldharbour Rd), Redland, BS6 7RG
Tel: 0117 942 1640
Excellent and much-loved traditional Indian restaurant that’s been serving curry lovers for well over 20 years now. Intimate booths and the tent-like canopy ceilings lend an exotic air, making it a great place for everything from an (excellent-value) blow-out to a romantic dinner date. Recommended by the Good Curry Guide, and run by the same family who own Bombay Dreams. Menu S: prawn puri; mixed starters (chicken tikka, sheek kebab, onion bhaji). M: chicken cooked with onions, green peppers, coriander and other herbs; trout bhuna. P: ice-cream; kulfi Price ALC: from £3/from £6/from £3 Wine list Extensive, international, plus Indian beers and soft drinks Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 6-11.30pm (Fri-Sat till 12midnight). Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties welcome. Takeaway available (up to 20% discount).

MYRISTICA
14 King St, BS1 4EF
Tel: 0117 927 2277, web: www.myristica.co.uk
Spiffing eatery which specialises in authentic, regional-specific Indian food and is much admired round these parts. Dishes range from traditional street food/beach snacks to full-on Raj cuisine, cooked up by a full brigade of chefs with impeccable credentials, each specialising in their own area of expertise (curry, tandooris, sauces, vegetarian dishes, desserts, etc) - watch them at work via the newly launched open kitchen. Large vegetarian selection and, unusually for an Indian restaurant, a decent selection of desserts. Thanks to a new cookery school, you can try your hand at doing it yourself (see Cookery Schools). And curry lovers should note that you can even get married in the place! Menu S: soft-shell crab crisp-fried in spicy batter, with crab meat sauteed with fenugreek seeds and curry leaves; ostrich kebab. M: fish marinated in mustard paste, simmered in fennel, onion seed & yellow mustard-flavoured curry from kolkatta; chicken in creamy sauce with pistachios, saffron and a subtle blend of spices. P: tandoori pineapple, glazed with cinnamon and honey, with saffron ice-cream; grated carrots soaked in a sweet cardamom & nutmeg infused honey syrup, served warm, with ice-cream Price ALC: from £4.95/from £8.95/from £2.95. Lunch platter £5.95 Wine list Extensive. HW from £13.95 btl, £3.25 gls Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 6pm-12midnight (last orders 11.30pm). Children welcome. Disabled access – call for adv. Parties, celebrations, corporate events, etc, welcome. Private dining up to 30, whole restaurant can be hired for weddings, etc - call for adv. Home delivery available.

OH! CALCUTTA! INDIAN KITCHEN
216 Cheltenham Rd, BS6 5QU
Tel: 0117 924 0458, web: www.ohcalcutta.co.uk
Buzzing, informal canteen-style dining in chic, modernist surroundings. Top-notch Indian subcontinent food, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients, ranges from the traditional to the exotic, with regional options, daily specials and great fish specialities. Meanwhile, a big screen silently projects Bollywood classics while you dine. Excellent vegetarian and side dishes, too. Menu S: tiger prawns spiced and lightly fried in garlic, chilli and coriander, with sweet chilli sauce; snapper pakora. M: goan fish curry (tender red snapper in spiced sauce with coconut cream and fresh lime); king prawns cooked with honey, lime and coriander Price ALC: from around £3/from £7.50 Wine list HW from approx £11 btl. Beers (inc Indian varieties) Open Daily 6-12midnight. Children welcome. Disabled access, but call ahead for advice. Major credit cards. Parties welcome - call for details. Takeaway/home delivery service.

OLD INDIA
34 St Nicholas St, BS1 1TG
Tel: 0117 922 1136, www.oldindia.co.uk
This rather special restaurant in the heart of old Bristol is remarkable both for its setting and its high-class, authentic menu. This is the real cuisine of the mogul kings, mixed with contemporary-style avant-garde Indian cuisine. Occupying a stunning mahogany-panelled grade ll-listed building (you could easily imagine yourself in a colonial clubhouse), the restaurant serves the finest meat and vegetarian dishes prepared with exceptional attention to detail. It’s strongly Venue-endorsed, too, as our man noted: ‘It’s a shade pricier than Kolkatta Kitchen (its Bedminster-based sister restaurant), but the smart set-up and efficiently friendly service mark it as a worthwhile indulgence.’ Menu S: chargrilled chicken roasted with spiced yogurt; spinach & mashed potato patties with cheese and mustard seeds. M: chicken or lamb cooked in hot, sweet and sour sauce with lentils; whole sea bream in rich bengali-style sauce. P: warm dumplings in rose syrup with fresh cream; ice-cream medley Price ALC: from £3.50/from £6.50/from £3.50 Wine list HW £12 btl, £3 gls Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 6pm-12midnight. Children welcome, but no specific menus. Disabled access to restaurant but no toilets (downstairs). Major credit cards (not Diner’s, Amex). Parties of 20+ welcome - book in adv.

ONE STOP THALI CAFE
12 York Rd, Montpelier, BS6 5QE
Tel: 0117 942 6687, web: www.onestopthali.co.uk
The first and arguably the best in this oh-so-Bristolian chain, this popular Montpelier fixture has gained a reputation over the past decade out of all proportion to its 35 covers. Already consistently highly acclaimed in the Venue region, the national press have written about it in equally glowing terms. Little wonder, really: this is simple, fresh, homemade vegetarian food based on traditional Punjabi ‘thali’, combinations of complementary dishes served on a steel platter, inspired by Asian street food. An entire evening meal (selection of six dishes) costs you an unbelievable £6.95 (£7.95 for the sustainable fish version), with your plate replenished until you’re full. Don’t let the prices fool you, though - they take the food seriously here, and they’re continually experimenting with southern Indian dishes as the whole One Stop experience continues to develop. The decor is equally cheerful and constantly evolving. Now also open in Easton. Live music Sun. Menu/Price/Wine list See listing above, Extraordinary Travelling Thali Cafe Open Daily 6pm-12midnight. Children welcome. Disabled access, but not to toilets. Cheque & cash only. Parties of 20+ welcome - call in adv.

POSH SPICE
9 The Mall, Clifton Village BS8 4DP
Tel: 0117 973 0144
Eat-in or takeaway contemporary Indian cuisine. Huge menu offers lots of regional specialities and, unusually, loads of duck and fish dishes among the more regular tandoori and balti favourites. Menu S: lightly spiced fresh vegetables served on a flat bread; selection of grilled tikka and kebab meats. M: chicken nagashori (cooked with hot peppers, onions, tomatoes, paprika, mixed spices); tandoori duck achary (in a hot, sharp sauce with mango pickle, onion, fennel and mustard seeds, red chilli and fresh lime). P: kulfi Price ALC: from £2.60/from £5.95/from £3 Wine list HW from approx £12 btl. Indian lagers Open Daily 12noon-2pm, Sun-Thur 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12 midnight. No disabled access. Major credit cards accepted. Takeaway discount 20% on orders over £12. Free Indian beer with takeaway orders over £20.

RAJ BARI
183 Hotwell Rd, BS8 4SA
Tel: 0117 922 7617, web: www.rajbaribristol.co.uk
Mostaque Ahmed, after many years’ apprenticeship in some of London’s best curry houses, opened Raj Bari in 1991, a contemporary Indian restaurant in the heart of Hotwells, aiming to provide customers with a distinct and classy dining experience - believing that as well as the taste of food the environment you dine in is also important. It seems to have worked, too: drop by and you might end up rubbing shoulders with luminaries such as Sir Terry Wogan, Rolf Harris or Tom Baker as well as local celebs Tony Robinson, Eddie Large and Gareth Chilcott. Menu S: fish pakora; tandoori king prawn. M: jeera garlic lamb (cooked in a thick sweet & sour sauce with cumin, capsicum, onion, nuts and raisins); raj masala (tandoori chicken cooked on the bone with minced lamb, fruit and cream), with mushroom bhaji, rice and naan. P: kulfi Price ALC: from £2.95/from £5.95/from £3 Wine list HW from approx £12 btl. Indian lagers Open Daily 5.30-11.30pm. Lunchtimes available to pre-booked parties of 10+. Major credit cards accepted. Takeaway discount 20% on orders over £10.

RAJ TANDOORI
King St, BS1 4DZ
Tel: 0117 929 1132, web: www.raj-bristol.co.uk
Snug, friendly, long-established (since 1981) Indian restaurant set in the basement of a lovely grade ll-listed building, with trad-contemporary menus and an exceedingly warm welcome. Owner Hasan Ahmed and head chef Bodrul Khan insist that only the finest ingredients are used in the kitchen, recreating many of the traditional Indian dishes Bodrul learned in his homeland of Sunamganj in Bangladesh. Menu S: tandoori salmon; onion bhaji. M: chef’s special biryani (chicken tikka, lamb tikka, tandoori king prawn with pilau rice, saffron and medium-spiced vegetable curry); northern Indian dish of minced lamb cooked in thick, spicy sauce, with fresh garden peas. P: ice-creams Price ALC: from £3.20/from £5.50/from £3 Wine list HW £10 btl, £2.60 gls. Lagers, beers, spirits, etc Open Mon-Sat 6pm-12midnight, Sun 6-11pm. No disabled access. 25% discount for takeaways. Party bookings welcome (has a party room, seats up to 30).

RAJMONI
88a Queens Rd, Clifton, BS8 1SA
Tel: 0117 974 1700, web: www.rajmoni.co.uk
Indian food: devilishly addictive, but it can wreak havoc when you’re watching your waistline. Luckily enough, Rajmoni offer healthy versions of faves like chicken tikka (made with sugar substitutes, low-fat cream, low-fat yogurt, reduced fat coconut and no artificial colour, flavourings or preservatives) alongside traditional Indian fare, so you can tuck in with a clear conscience, should you so wish. Good vegetarian selection and excellent homemade Indian breads, too. Menu S: spicy lamb rolled up in chapati bread; brown wheat puree topped with potato, chick peas and puffed rice, with tamarind sauce. M: sardines cooked with garlic, herbs, spicy fried onions, fresh chillies and coriander, with tarka dhal and rice; korai chicken or lamb cooked with ginger, chopped onions, peppers and tomatoes. P: kulfi Price ALC: from £3.25/from £6.25/from £3. Call for SL/SD offers Wine list HW from approx £11 btl. Indian lagers & lassis Open Daily 6-11.30pm. Lunch (12noon-2pm) on request only. Small menu for children. No disabled access. Major credit cards. Takeaway discount 20%. Private bookings available, up to 50. Parties of 20+ welcome.

RAJPOOT
52 Upper Belgrave Rd, Clifton, BS8 2XP
Tel: 0117 973 3515, web: www.rajpootrestaurant.co.uk
Smart, sophisticated Indian restaurant set in a gorgeous Georgian building, offering the ultimate in luxury and comfort for that special meal. From the moment you walk under the welcoming green awning, it’s like stepping back in time, with crisp linen tablecloths, comfortable chairs and menus embracing the principal regions of India - extensive and impressive. The front terrace is a great place to eat alfresco on warmer evenings. Menu S: tandoori trout; calamari chilli fry pattie (squid stirfried with vegetables, on a crispy pancake). M: chicken marinated in specially selected spices and barbecued over clay oven with onion, tomatoes and capsicum, served with saffron rice, salad and mint yogurt dressing; tandoori mixed grill (pieces of chicken tikka, lamb tikka, sheek kebab and king prawns). P: ice-cream; lassi Price ALC: from £4.95/from £12.95/from £2.75 Wine list Extensive. HW approx £12 btl. Draught Indian beers and full range of spirits and non-alcoholic drinks Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11pm. Children welcome. No disabled access. All major credit cards. Takeaway available.

SHEESH MAHAL
13a Gloucester Rd, BS7 8AA
Tel: 0117 942 2942
Popular Indian restaurant, established in 1979 and still serving a traditional range of dishes to a mix of students, businesspeople and post-pub revellers alike. Snug booths, nice atmosphere and good food, with the standard curry-house menu complemented by a range of ‘Sheesh Specialities’ with particular regional flavours. Menu S: shish kebab. M: chicken tikka; lamb korma; excellent tandooris. P: ice-creams Price ALC: from approx £3/from approx £5.95/from approx £3 Wine list HW: French, from approx £11 btl Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 6-11.30pm. Children welcome. Good disabled access & toilet. Major credit cards. Available for private hire (lunchtime only), up to 65. Parties of 20+ welcome.

SPICE OF INDIA
13 Small St, BS1 1DE
Tel: 0117 929 9222
Simple, comfortable restaurant with an extensive menu that concentrates on dishes from Bangladesh and other parts of the Indian subcontinent. Good selection of vegetarian dishes. Menu S: onion bhaji; shish kebab. M: curried salmon with homemade chutney; large range of tandoori dishes and curries; Spice of India special chicken. P: ice-creams; sorbets Price ALC: from approx £2.50/from approx £6/from approx £3 Wine list HW approx £12 btl. Indian bottled beers (Kingfisher, Cobra) Open Daily 6-11pm. Children welcome. Major credit cards. Takeaway available.

THALI CAFE
1 William St, Totterdown, BS3 4TU
Tel: 0117 933 2955, web: www.onestopthali.co.uk
Third outlet from those wonderful Thali people (see listings above for more details: Extraordinary Travelling Thali Cafe and One Stop Thali Cafe) housed in what was once Bristol’s much-loved Glasnost restaurant. Same great prices, same great atmosphere and eclectic, authentic surrounds. Menu/Price/Wine list See listing p. 186, Extraordinary Travelling Thali Cafe Open Daily 6pm-late.

TIKKA FLAME
South Building, Anchor Square, Canons Rd, BS1 5UH
Tel: 0117 316 9393, web: www.tikkaflame.co.uk
Fronted by a couple with over 10 years’ experience in creating authentic Indian and Pakistani cuisine, this stylish, lively contemporary Indian brasserie makes the most of eclectic flavours and influences drawn from Pakistan and India. Vibrant surroundings include a big screen showing Bollywood classics, and there’s plenty of mix ‘n’ match flavours to keep small or large parties happy. ‘First and foremost, it’s a smart, stylish eating place,’ said Venue of a venture that aims to be a ‘New Creation in Indian Dining’. ‘There’s a crisp, contemporary hush to the decor, as far removed from flock ‘n’ Formica as Bristol is from Bombay,’ we said, and ‘a high standard of cooking gives a satisfying meal in comfortably smart surroundings’. Grills, a light bite menu that includes pizzas and nachos alongside vegetable thalis and stirfries, great lunchtime deals and a really good bar selection further add to the appeal. Menu S: crab cutlets with chilli sauce; paratha roll (minced chicken/lamb kebab in an indian wrap with salad and house special sauce). M: special grill (lamb tikka, lamb chops, chicken tikka, tandoori chicken and sheesh kebab served on sizzling skillet with naan, salad and house sauce); cubes of lamb leg with ginger, garlic onions and ground spices, finished with a tempering of pickling spices. P: ice-cream; sorbet Price ALC: from £3.50/from £9.50/£3.95. SL: 2 £9.50, 3 £11.50 Wine list HW £11.50 btl, £2.90 gls Open Mon-Thur 12noon-3pm & 6-10.30pm, Fri-Sat 12noon-11.30pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm (inc all bank hols). Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties 20+ welcome - book in adv. Mezzanine floor or private hire/functions; outside catering service for parties, weddings, etc.

Bath

BENGAL BRASSERIE
32 Milsom St, BA1 1DG
Tel: 01225 447906
Popular restaurant offering an extensive trip through the very best curry house flavours at very reasonable prices, in recently refurbished surroundings. Menu S: mixed tandoori kebab; spinach pakora. M: lamb balti; vegetable biryani. P: ice-cream; kulfi Price ALC: from £2.95/from £4.95/from £3. SL: 2 £6.75 Wine list HW £9.95 btl, £2.90 gls. Indian lagers Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11.30pm (Fri-Sat 12midnight). Children welcome. Disabled access - call ahead for advice/details. Major credit cards. Discounted takeaway menu. Group bookings welcome – call in advance.

BOMBAY NIGHTS
Lower Bristol Rd, BA2 3EB
Tel: 01225 460400/339413, web: www.bombaynightsbath.co.uk
Authentic Nepalese and pan-Indian delights served in a contemporary setting (slate floors, white walls, slick furniture) but with just the right amount of human touch and graciousness added to the mix to lift it from canteen status to elegant dining experience. Extensive, well-balanced menu, with a strong emphasis on ‘exotic’ fish and seafood standing out above solid, perfectly executed favourites (dhansaks, murghs, biryanis, tandooris, etc) and excellent veggie options. Menu S: chicken cooked in tangy tamarind sauce, with fried bread; crab kofta. M: nepali root murgh; king prawn Goa. P: ice-creams; traditional desserts Price ALC: from £3.75/from £8.95/from £3.25. Call or visit website for SL/SD offers and wine deal vouchers Wine list HW £9.95 btl, £3.85 gls. Well-stocked bar, inc Indian lagers Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11pm. Children welcome. Disabled access - call ahead for advice/details. Major credit cards. Discounted takeaway menu. Private, parties & group bookings welcome (up to 85).

BOOJON TANDOORI
28 Charles St, BA1 1HU
Tel: 01225 429429/429529
Contemporary Indian diner offering a big family welcome from the lovely folk who do all the hard work for you. ‘Even the poppadoms are properly fresh, crispy pickle shovels, setting a precedent for what’s to follow - the boojon just doesn’t do excessive sat fat,’ said our sated reviewer. Menus offer a sturdy range of cooked-to-order curry-house faves, and the veggie/fish options are highly recommended. But does this little corner of curry house heaven cost the earth? ‘Hardly,’ says our reviewer. ‘We usually fork out around a tenner per head for our feast, the no-corkage BYO policy further adding to wallet-starvation relief.’ Menu S: onion bhaji; garlic dhal. M: prawn achari; lamb tikka rezala. P: kulfi; ice-cream Price ALC: from £2.45/from £6.95/from £3 Wine list BYO Open Mon-Sun 12noon-2.30pm & 6-10.30pm (last orders). Children welcome. Disabled access. Discounted takeaway menu. Major credit cards. Parties welcome - call in adv.

CURRY MAHAL
31 Belvedere, Lansdown Rd, BA1 5HR
Tel: 01225 789666/789501, web: www.currymahal.net
Popular, friendly traditional neighbourhood curry house with a big reputation for excellent food (including fabulous vegetarian options) and a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Menu S: lightly battered king prawns with egg and mint; jajahshan lamb sula. M: chicken or lamb mon pasand; sultan puree pillau; huge range of baltis, tandooris and curry house faves. P: ice-cream; seasonal fruit Price ALC: from £2.40/from £5.60/from approx £3 Wine list HW from approx £11 btl. Bottled beers Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 6-11.30pm. Children welcome. Disabled access possible - call in adv. Discounted takeaway menu. Major credit cards. Parties of up to 30 welcome, private dining room downstairs, but must be booked in adv.

DESH
10 Chelsea Rd, BA1 3DU
Tel: 01225 314413/463388
Busy, popular, friendly, inexpensive neighbourhood Indian eatery. BYO policy (no corkage charge) means that the drinks prices are up to you. Baltis and jalfrezis highly recommended. Takeaways, too. Menu S: bhajis; pakoras; tandooris; baltis; naan. M: big range of classic indian cuisine Price ALC: from £3/from £6.45/from £3 Wine list BYO (no corkage charge) Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 5.30pm-12midnight Children welcome. Disabled access possible but call ahead for advice. Major credit cards. Discounted takeaway menu. Discount of 10% for nurses and students.

EASTERN EYE
8a Quiet St, BA1 2JS
Tel: 01225 422323/466401, web: www.easterneye.co.uk
The Guardian, Times, Independent, Observer, Harpers, Vogue, Donny Osmond and Venue have all waxed lyrical about this beautiful, award-winning eatery over the years, set in a magnificent Georgian ballroom. But if the surroundings don’t impress you (unlikely), the huge menus will: following a full explanation of how Indian food ‘works’, every dish is flagged up with highlighters denoting heat, sugar, nut, wheat and dairy content, while vegetarians are so well catered for that even the most carnivore-crazed among us could be persuaded to take the path of righteousness. A vast selection of bhajis, kebabs, tikkas, dosha, purees and soups leads the way to a gourmet playground of tandooris, baltis, dhansaks, kormas, dopiazas, biryanis, masalas, rogan josh and unique chef’s specials (including excellent seafood options), leading our resident curry queen to litter a recent Venue review with superlatives such as ‘delectable’, ‘really tasty’ and ‘highly recommended’. Menu S: chicken chandan; chingri purekhawa. M: chicken or lamb tikka taka tak; king prawn sagwalla. P: traditional sweets; seasonal fresh and tropical fruit Price ALC: from £3.50/from £6.95/from £3. Various set menus and offers are excellent value, even for solo diners Wine list HW £12.95 btl Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11.30pm. Menu adaptable for children. No disabled access. Major credit cards. Gourmet catering (can supply Indian dinner party in your own home, call for details) and takeaway discount. Parties up to 170 welcome.

JAFLONG
78-79 Lower Bristol Rd, BA2 3BG
Tel: 01225 330144, web: www.jaflongbath.co.uk
As if to prove that a good thing can indeed get even better, this smart, contemporary Indian bistro recently underwent a bit of a makeover, to bring it up to date in fine, sparkling style. The ambience here thrums with laidback effervescence: friendly staff, sturdy, spacious tables and a calm, comfy bar area all purr ‘welcome’, while a gentle proliferation of karais, beguns and palaks sit quietly alongside the tikkas, bhajees and samosas, inviting those with a little bit of imagination to veer away from the well-trodden masala/biryani highway in search of a more scenic Nepalese route. Menu S: prawn puree with chapatti; chicken dosa. M: harialy chicken; ma goa chicken or lamb (with chillies, garlic, sweet mango, fresh coriander in thick sauce). P: ice-creams; traditional kulfi Price ALC: from approx £4/from £6.95/from approx £5. All-you-can-eat buffet (Sun 6-11pm): £8.95pp Wine list HW £11.95 btl, £2.95 gls Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11.30pm (inc bank hols). Children welcome. Disabled access, but call in adv. Most credit cards (not Amex, Diner’s). Takeaway discount, free delivery over £60 within Bath area (notice required). Parties welcome, home catering service - call for details.

JAMUNA
9-10 High St (entrance in Cheap St), BA1 5AQ
Tel: 01225 464631
Lovely, old-school Indian restaurant with no pretensions towards anything else. The spacious but cosy upstairs dining room boasts great views of the abbey, while charming waiters dance attendance in a warm-hearted, understated way. Specialises in tandoori cuisine, although the menu is extensive and covers all corners of the curry spectrum. Legend has it that the late ex-Beatle George Harrison was a regular visitor - could it still be one of his favourite haunts? The Curry Club sings its praises, too. Menu S: tandoori fish; king prawn kebab. M: chicken, lamb & prawns in mildly spiced sauce; special baltis, biryanis, bhunas, kormas, etc. P: kulfi ice-cream; trad Brit faves Price ALC: from £3/from £6.90/from £3 Wine list Excellent, French. HW: £11.95 btl. Indian lager Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6pm-12midnight. Children welcome, milder dishes & small portions available. No disabled access. Major credit cards. Whole restaurant available for private hire. Parties of 20+ welcome. Takeaway discount.

MOUCHUCK
136 Wells Rd, BA2 3AH
Tel: 01225 333449, web: www.cityofbath.co.uk/mouchuck
Friendly neighbourhood BYO curry bistro offering a solid range of very reasonably priced tandoori, masala, jalfrezi, korma, biryani, madras, rogan josh, etc, alongside chef specials (achari, pandi, tawa, etc), side dishes and good vegetarian options. ‘Service at the Mouchuck is lovely, too,’ said Venue’s resident spice girl. ‘You immediately feel like a long-lost friend visiting a family who deem your visit special enough to sit you in the front parlour for your welcome home feast.’ Better make sure you’re well behaved on Tue evenings, then, when the all-you-can-eat buffet table comes out (£6.95pp). Menu S: mixed tandoori; chicken rani. M: lamb/chicken korai; lamb/chicken lemoni Price ALC: £2-£3.25/£3.95-£7.95/sides approx £2 Wine list BYO (no corkage charge) Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 5.30-11pm. Children welcome. Major credit cards (not Amex). Discounted takeaway menu. Parties/groups welcome, pref. booked in adv.

PANAHAR
8 Moorland Rd, Oldfield Park, BA2 3PL
Tel: 01225 471999/471899
Lively, popular neighbourhood Indian eatery with a no-corkage-charge BYO policy (and a really good off-licence conveniently situated just over the road) adding to the appeal. ‘Incredibly friendly, massively flavoursome and refreshingly cheap,’ said Venue’s curry queen. ‘As good as the genre gets.’ Downhome, traditional Indian food, competently cooked – little wonder, then, that it’s a good idea to book in advance on weekend eves. Menu S: samosas; tikkas; kebabs. M: baltis; dhansaks; kormas; jalfrezis; vindaloos; biryanis. P: traditional ice-cream; sorbets Price ALC: from £1.80/from £3.95/from £2 Wine list BYO, no corkage charge Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 5.30-11.30pm. Children welcome, mild dishes available. Disabled access. Discounted takeaway menu. Major credit cards. Pre-booked parties welcome, but call for capacity details.

NEW
PREMIER
4a Argyle St, BA2 4BA
Tel: 01225 462323/442955
The name may have changed and the decor has been given a bit of a facelift, but standards at the long-established Indian bistro and balti house formerly known as Pria remain the same. Offering the latest last-order time in Bath and renowned for balti/curry favourites and excellent value for money, Premier is fast becoming a mini-me/budget version of the famous Rajpoot downstairs (see listing below). Menu S: samosas; wide range of tikkas and kebabs. M: excellent baltis, dhansaks, kormas, jalfrezis. P: traditional ice-cream; sorbets Price ALC: from £3/from £6.95/from £3 Wine list HW approx £11 btl. Indian lager Open Sun-Thur 6pm-1.30am, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am. Children welcome, mild dishes available. Disabled access, but not to toilets. Discounted takeaway menu. Major credit cards. Pre-booked parties welcome, but call for capacity details.

RAJPOOT
4 Argyle St, BA2 4BA
Tel: 01225 466833/464758, web: www.rajpoot.com
Fully refurbished and now almost doubled in size since last year, the Rajpoot - almost three decades old and enjoying a reputation as Bath’s most elegant curry house - continues to go from strength to strength. The restaurant now features two new reception areas and further seating for up to 80 diners in the new ‘Jonaki’ extension, divided into five separate areas. In October last year, the restaurant was awarded ‘Best in the South West’ award and deemed to be one of the top ten in Britain at the British Curry Awards – yet more gongs to join their existing Les Routiers accolade. This is Raj cuisine with a backdrop to match: a cosy, barrel-vaulted subterranean cave, complete with discrete private dining areas, all warm, cheery and subtly lit, and serviced by attentive boys in pristine uniforms. ‘This isn’t just ‘curry’,’ swooned Venue’s own little bhaji, ‘this is Bath curry - polite, genteel and serene, and extremely well-executed.’ How she managed to keep her hands off the exotically dressed doorman (a local landmark in his own right) after all that is anybody’s guess. Menu S: sobji biryani; tandoori machlee; bhajis; samosas. M: fillet of lamb marinated in spices, simmered in rich onion & tomato gravy, highly spiced with balsamic vinegar and red wine; sobji platter (vegetable curry, mushroom bhaji, chana masala, dhal, riata, pilau rice, chapatti); wide range of tandooris, biryanis and traditional curries. P: gazar halwa (carrot-based dish with coconut powder, honey, almonds); curd milk with herbs, deep-fried in syrup Price ALC: from £2.75/from £6.95/from £3.50. Set banquets from £18.50pp Wine list Comprehensive, inc Indian selection. HW £12.95 btl Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11pm (Fri-Sat 11.30pm). Children welcome, highchairs. Disabled access possible with assistance, but restaurant is in basement, so call in adv. Major credit cards. Discounted takeaway menu. Private hire, up to 28. Parties of 20+ welcome.

YAK YETI YAK
12 Pierrepont St, BA1 1LA
Tel: 01225 442299, web: www.yakyetiyak.co.uk
This laidback, authentic Nepalese restaurant recently relocated to a new subterranean haven away from the lesser-beaten Argyle Street track. But they’ve swiftly made themselves – and their guests – right at home in their new location. Everything from fresh stocks to the grinding of spices is still done on the premises, and if your knees/back/lack of self-consciousness are up to it, you can still dine ‘trad Nepalese’ style on floor cushions (but fortunately, the conventional table/chair option is also available). Food is flavoursome and funky, the veggie options are fabulous, and even the bill turns out to be a reassuring treat. ‘My lamb bhutuwa featured lamb ductile enough to be a soft toy in a rich, sweet, ginger-infused sauce, the pork in a masuko jhol was tender as the night and immersed in a smooth, well-seasoned gravy, and the chunky hunks of beef in chilli yielded effortlessly into a sauce that started off understated and developed to fiery on the tongue, making for an intelligent, well-executed take on a familiar dish,’ yakked Venue’s resident Sherpa. Will someone please give her another dumpling. Menu S: pork or vegetable himalayan ‘momos’ (steamed, spiced dumplings with fresh hemp seed chutney); golden crispy-fried cheese balls with sweet tomato & chilli dipping sauce. M: bhutuwa (pork, chicken or lamb marinated in freshly ground spices, stirfried with tomato, onion, garlic and ginger); aloo tamar (fermented bamboo shoots stirfried with new potatoes and black-eye peas). P: ‘Freak Street’ apples; sweetened, spiced carrot tartlet with cream or ice-cream Price ALC: from £3.90/from approx £6.90/£3.50. SL: from £5.50. SD: from £12.55pp Wine list HW approx £12 btl. Lagers inc Nepalese varieties Open Mon-Sun 12noon-2.30pm & 5-10pm (Fri-Sat 10.30pm). Children welcome, dishes can be adapted. Call in adv for disabled access & facility details. Discounted takeaway menu. Major credit cards. Pre-booked parties welcome, but call for capacity details.

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