1 & 3 Petersfield Road, Whitehill, Bordon, Hants GU35 9AR

The Woodlark (recommended), Outback (former Prince of Wales)

01420 477666 or 01420 478388

We had a good dinner at Dhanmondi - reasonably good turnout although 5 fewer than the same meeting in 2007.  The mixed starter included chicken liver, sheek kebab and meat samosa.  The mains included lamb balti, chicken jalfrezi and a prawn special.  The food was certainly very warming on a cold winter evening.

We hada chance to visit the kitchen and watch the amazing rapid cooking that can be done with the tandoor oven.  I timed the naan at 1 minute 40 seconds from start to finish.  You can see some pictures here.

Some of us visited the new Whitehill pub, the Woodlark, before walking down to Dhanmondi. Very airy and spacious, properly decorated, even comfortable, it's aimed at the diner rather than the drinking trade, but a useful new local amenity.  Sad though, that this Marstons pub didn't serve any Marstons bottled beers and that the Pedigree had neither the colour nor the flavour you'd expect from a premium ale.  One member pointed out "too far South for Marstons -          no mild!".

We visited Dhanmondi, Whitehill, on Wednesday 21st February.  The meeting was postponed from the usual date because of the clash with Valentine's Day, but despite this disruption, we had a very good turnout.

As to the food, an eclectic choice of menu by the restaurant included King Prawns in their shells, Chicken Anarosh (served in a scooped-out pineapple), Lamb Achary - cooked with lime and herbs, and Murgh Massala - chicken cooked with spiced minced lamb, which Mr Habib told us was a traditional dish from Bangladesh.  We also had chef's special lamb chops, starters and side dishes.  Some members thought the lamb a little challenging, but generally a great evening was had by all.

See also Will's comments...

February 2007

Don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to a trip to angry Bordon with such anticipation, well over a month since the curry club last convened. 

Aperitifs at Foggy’s then troops in convoy, under cover of darkness to Dhanmondi.  PLACE a strange space, once a village hall? Unlikely, locals not known for community spirit…careful now! Before I go any further must stress staff were perfectly hospitable, SERVICE attentive, glasses replenished with pleasant Chardonnay in between times.  Much debate about FOOD, chewy lamb??.

Starter middling mix of mini bhajis, vegetable samosa, lamb and chicken tikka.  Mains all of same Medium consistency but combined well while each having distinct flavour; Chicken Banarosh with pineapple, Lamb and bangladeshi lime, two other dishes, King Prawns and tasty Tandoori chicken both in a dry tangy sauce.  Sides comprised Tarka Dall, thick and viscus, plus blend of Spinach, potatoes, chick peas, onion slivers.  Plenty of pilau, daily bread. 

Cutting straight to a SUMMARY the restaurant is more a likeable local than a pilgrimage site.

February 2007 (Curry Club Meeting)

Our meeting was at Dhanmondi in Whitehill.  This is a family-run restaurant with lots of space and a fine reputation locally.  Drinks at the Outback (former Prince of Wales, a few yards down the road).  The turnout was low but the food was good.  One of the dishes was a Bangladeshi roast chicken dish that Mr Habib has taught to pupils at the nearby school.  A subtle lamb jalfrezi, a mild chicken dish and a vegetable curry were the other main courses.  Plenty of garlic was in evidence too - certainly next morning.

Fact 1:

Dhanmondi is a suburb of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.  This may give you a clue to the style of cooking. 

Fact 2:

Your webmaster ordered a chilli chicken masala on his first visit to Dhanmondi.  It was hot.  Think phal; we ordered a good mix of spicy and less formidable curries for our visit.