As usual, we had a fine evening at Chilli Night.  Attendance was a little lower than expected, but the food was well varied:  chicken jalfrezi, garlic chilli chicken, lamb rogan, Ayre karai, achari lamb and prawn madras.  These were accompanied by a good selection of rice, lentil, vegetables, and naans. 

Fine food, very well presented, and all it lacked was the appetite of Will to hoover up the excess. He missed his first meeting in over a year - I hope the family holiday made up for it.

Our September venue was one of our favourite places, Chilli Night in Haslemere.

This was during the Rugby World Cup, but despite that, we had a good turnout.  For the record Japan lost narrowly to Fiji (31-35) earlier that evening and then Italy narrowly beat Romania (24-18).  Whether that bodes well for our Scots friends or not, I don't know.  Their 40-0 loss to New Zealand doesn't promise much.

So to the food: we enjoyed our mixed starters, but would have preferred the poppadums first - ferocious lime pickle!  Main courses were Garlic Chilli Chicken. Lamb Shakoora, and Prawn Jalfrezi, accompanied by Tarka Dhal and mixed vegetables -all really good.

A great evening: it's only the luxury of choice in the area that stops me visiting more often. 

The November 2006 meeting was at Chilli Night, Haslemere.  We enjoyed a great selection of dishes including

There were also some tasty mixed starters, saag paneer and a good selection of rice, naan (plain, garlic, keema, peshwari) and vegetables.  It wasn't as ferociously hot as last time, which is probably just as well.

Although some people were unable to attend due to holidays abroad or visitors at home, we still had a good turnout and a most enjoyable evening. 

Drinks were at the Inn on the Hill - the old Haslemere Hotel, transformed by its new owners into a very decent bar and restaurant.  People that remember the old place are amazed at how it's changed.  Recommended for steaks, and they have a really good selection of wines and spirits too.

See also Will's comments:

Times are a changing, the Inn on the Hill no longer looks about ready to tumble down, cause a landslide. Never looked like the place to secure an interest free loan either which is just as well, its now a trendy wine bar. 

After an aperitif here we wandered half a mile through the fog to Chilli Nights.

Intimate PLACE, bar in one corner then 7 or 8 tables, comfy conservatory style wicker chairs to relax in. Indeed a casual ambience prevailed, the staff numbered 3 and the SERVICE was pleasant and efficient all evening. 

Proudly showed off their Masterchef 2006 award at the end of a very good meal too.

The house red was spicy, more so than the FOOD of which there was enough to keep the garrison at Krishnapur from starvation.

A Mixed Starter included Onion bhaji burger, a melt in the mouth Chicken pakora and a sheekh kebab.   Initial hunger pains sated.  Then came the mains.   Here’s what I ate; a mound of pilau rice, half a mixed vegetable bhaji, a good portion of a mushrooms, both dry and distinct in flavour, and an exquisite Saag Paneer…somehow I managed to squeeze the following onto my plate and into my stomach as well;  a well behaved Garlic Chilli Chicken, an almondy Tikka Massala, an excellent zesty Lamb Shaktora, Chicken Bhuna and a late arrival!! Prawn Dhansak.

SUMMARY

The menu barely diverges from traditional curry but ye gods they do it well.

Chilli Nights selection was a real variety show, Prince Charles would've approved. Saag Paneer fit for royalty, super vegetables.  At last I have a reason for visiting Haslemere, if I land this job in Jessops, Petersfield, I'll go next week!

(Curry Club meeting)

Started in Jessops, hence return visit, Mum and sis Katy in tow.  Mum happy with Prawn Puree, I gnawed my way through succulent Tandoori Chicken quarter.  Mains included tangy, Bolognese-a-like Murgi Massala,  juicy Lamb Shatkora (FACT: Shatkora = lime, imported from Bangladesh!! not directly surely…can Parcel force arrange that sort of thing?) and a smooth, rich Korma.  Veg included another Saag Paneer with delicious cauliflower cheese sauce plus good Mix Veg Curry.  Recommended.

(January 2007)

Wey Hill, Haslemere

01428 644288

Trains to Haslemere

Last visit: (non Curry Club - after Haslemere Beer Festival: Sep 2012), May 2009, May 2008, Sept 2007, Nov 2006, Sep 2005