Will writes...

The Madhuban Tandoori – Liss 

Once loved by Pat Chapman - winner of the ‘most caring curry house’ 2004 – by the listeners of Radio 2 (best curry house in the south east) and by mums GP surgery, expectations were high. First visit I was the only customer at lunch one Wednesday.

The PLACE is keeping up appearances, blue and gold abound, lush greenery sprouting from the skirting boards.  Waiter pleasant and had been to Cardiff once (relevance? I went to university there), couldn't judge the SERVICE on this visit as he had sod all to do really but on a busy Friday night I can vouch for it being speedy, bit too fast.

Yes, reading between the lines I did go back, with all the family in tow and so soon! 2 evenings later.

Each occasion the FOOD was good, not knock out though.

Wednesday lunch I enjoyed a super Dopiaza.  Great strips of onion, a tasty medium curry gravy.  Bhindi bahji (my fav side dish) combined beautifully with the egg and peas in my special fried rice.

Friday night starters included King Prawns in pineapple shells/coconut halves, these were dull, basically bhuna KP.  Chicken/potato soup to my right (dad and sister Katy) were reportedly lovely, very dainty servings though.  On to the mains, brother Tom’s Chicken Tikka Massala had a deep red hue and a pleasing swirl of cream atop,  Darjeeling Chic Tikka was excellent, I only sampled it, had Lamb meatballs in a chick pea massala. 

This with basmati saffron rice (no pilau here!) and Aloo Gobi, very filling.  Still I had room for pud but were told they had no Gulab Jumans!

SUMMARY

Based on two visits I am left feeling a little short changed.  That’s not to say its expensive, PRICES a la carte are less than anywhere locally, however, the cooking was almost casual and I've definitely been to more attentive curry houses.  Resting on their laurels perhaps?

Madhuban (new rating? = 4)  …ON RETURNING…  (May 2007)

Forget it, the answer is an emphatic No!  I’ve been wrong before, I was wrong then, I will be wrong again (hopefully not too many times).  Saturday night restaurant looking and feeling superb, buzzing, staff busy as worker bees, serving lucky family of regulars treats from the honey garden.  My sis & I really enjoyed our evening.  Staff were jolly, caring, the Miah brothers (owners) out front meeting, greeting those eating like long lost friends. 

After poppadoms and chutney tray a fine Hariyali Chicken Chat had smooth tandoori mint raita as an excellent companion, Mulligatawny Soup, gummy and yummy.  Jalfrezi, hot, molten.  Mouth watering finger chillies, great chunks of Chicken Tikka straight outta the tandoor, off the skewer and into my curry.  Good Madras Sambar – potato, carrot, languid strips of succulent cabbage - plus Saffron rice equals happy me.  Sis had Jardaloo Sali Boti. 

Hulking hunks of lean Lamb in a red ragout of apricot with Bombay Aloo. 

Textures, flavours more or less spot on.  House White = Sauvingon Blanc.