CurryMonsters Dining Blog

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Like most people these days we tend to eat out a lot, the blog entries below cover restaurant experiences of notable value.

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Date: 10th October 2006
Time Seated: 7.30 pm
Restaurant: Arifa Tandoori, Stairfoot, Barnsely
Menu Choice;

Starters: Amrachari Chicken + Mixed Kebab

Main: Bombay Hasina + King Prawn Balti

Sundries: Rice + Nan + Bindi Bhaji

Deserts: 2xCoffee

This visit CurryMonsters rating: 9/10

Our original plan was to visit Amaans but they were fully booked with a party, so we decided to visit an old friend.

CurryMonsters haven't eaten here for about a year since we moved house. The only thing that has put us off going is the extra distance we have to travel. This is a good restaurant, but can get very crowded at a weekend. The waiter is very friendly and could remember what we drank, where we liked to sit, and what I usually order - from a year ago.

The decor isn't sparkling, but is very clean - and the food is faultless!

We don't have a review of the restaurant but one will follow.

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Date: 4th October 2006
Time Seated: 7.00 pm
Restaurant: Chans
Menu Choice;

Starters: Soup (Chicken & Sweetcorn) + Crispy Duck

Main: King Prawn Sizzler + Red Thai Chicken curry

Sundries: Rice + Chow Mein

Deserts: 2xCoffee

This visit CurryMonsters rating: 7/10

As usual food very good; service, drinks (I had coke as I was driving - reliably informed the house red is OK for a house red), and price were to our satisfaction.

The only thing I had to grumble about with this visit was the table position - close to the entrance to the restaurant from the kitchen. I suppose someone has to sit there, we didn't book and they were busy - so I don't suppose we can grumble too much.

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Date: 30th September 2006
Time Seated: 8.30 pm
Restaurant: Italian Pizza Oven
Menu Choice;

Starters: Calamari + Bruschetta

Main: Pasta Diavola + Swordfish

Sundries: Side veg.

Deserts: 2xCoffee

This visit CurryMonsters rating: 8/10

Food very good; service, drink, price, table position were to our satisfaction.

One thing the owners should be mindful of the knowledge level of a couple of the waitresses - I asked what single malts they had and the reply was a blank face. In fairness they were young and I suppose you have to start somewhere.

I had the Pasta Diavola. They have a Fungi Diavola as a starter that you can convert to a main course with rice. I asked if they could substitute the rice for pasta and toss the diavola source (inc. mushroom) with the pasta, which they were more than happy to do - a little spicy for Italian (but being a CurryMonster it's second nature), but definitely worth a try! I am very suprised they don't put it on the menu.

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Date: 28th September 2006
Time Seated: 8.00 pm
Restaurant: Mehfil
Menu Choice;

Starters: Machley Pakora + Onion Bhaji

Main: Nobabi Karai + Shahi Murgh Bathami

Sundries: Mushroom Rice and 2xParatha

Deserts: 2xCoffee

This visit CurryMonsters rating: 8/10

The Machley Pakora (fish) starter was slightly over cooked, however they more than made up for that with a very tasty onion bhaji. The Nobabi Karai and Shahi Murgh Bathami were cooked to perfection - as too were the sundries.

We were given a good table with plenty of room and the service, as usual, was very good.

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Date: 9th September 2006
Time Seated: 7.30 pm
Restaurant: Sweet Centre
Menu Choice;

Starters: 2x Fish Masalla

Main: Chicken Hyderabadi and Kink Prawn Balti

Sundries: Boiled Rice and Paratha

Deserts: None

This visit CurryMonsters rating: 5/10

This was our first visit to the Sweet Centre for CurryMonsters. We had heard some good and some not so good reviews about this restaurant so we decided to try it out for ourselves.

Upon arriving at the restaurant we were greeted by the doorman who showed us inside and then the waiter promptly showed us to our table. Each of the tables in the restaurant are in good positions, even our table for two had plenty of room and each seat gave a good view of the restaurant. There is a huge, well looked after, fish tank with some very nice and very big tropical fish near the reception area which can be seen from most areas of the restaurant.

The first downside to the evening came when we asked to see the wine list and we were told that they do not serve alcohol. This restaurant does not serve alcohol it only serves soft drinks, however you are allowed to bring your own alcohol. In some restaurants that do not serve alcohol you can only bring bottles, however I did see one person with cans - might be worth checking when you book. The main reason for my disappointment was the fact that they did not mention their policy of not selling alcohol when I booked the table - something I will remember to ask when booking unvisited restaurants in future.

Throughout the visit the service was very good, they didn't rush you, but didn't leave you waiting too long for your next course. The waiters were very polite and never left you without a "soft" drink.

For starters we each had Fish Masalla - I always think you can tell an Asian chef's level of expertise with the quality of the fish dishes. The Fish Masalla was very good and a very generous portion.

For Main course we had Chicken Hyderabadi and Kink Prawn Balti. We both felt that these two dishes were over spiced. I like spicy food, however I also like the food to have a strong flavour, my wife doesn't like overly spiced food and unfortunately Sweet Centre lost a few points here. The main meal did come with a very large side salad - Nice touch!

The rice was as you would expect and the Paratha was good also. We passed on the desert as all that was on offer was ice cream - I did expect more from the "Sweet" Centre.

The menu prices were very reasonable.

The restrooms were spotless and very modern.

Whilst I understand and fully respect the religious rational behind not serving alcohol, the restaurant would do well to state their policy of not serving alcohol, and that you can bring your own, when taking telephone bookings.

One other point to add; after our meal we sat in their reception area which had large comfortable settees and a smoking area. Whilst we didn't take advantage of this, it was good to see an area like this where you could enjoy a coffee after your meal.

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