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101 tips on CURRY HOUSES in Manchester
101 tips on CURRY HOUSES in Manchester
101 tips on CURRY HOUSES in Manchester
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101 tips on CURRY HOUSES in Manchester

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The curry scene in Manchester is a-changing. Whereas Rusholme, the neon-heavy, curry theme park sitting south of the city centre, waving its tempting, competitively-priced array of spicy fare in the direction of the student population and beyond, has had rumblings and mumblings of discontent, stemming from stories about hygiene and credit card problems, not to mention a perceived decline of general standards. It’s still a unique area, though, with buses, cars and taxis shuffling interminably through with futile persistence; the smell (oh, the smell) as you exit one of said vehicles vivid and unmistakable (it helps that hunger is always at a peak at such junctures). But, while the very centre of Mancunia used to be lumbered with dated, lacklustre curry venues (Gaylord; Rajdoot – still open, incidentally; Piccadilly Indian Restaurant, to name but a few), the restaurateurs began to sense that the locals wanted something a little different. And so the upmarket curry house in the city was born, started (in Manchester anyway) by Shimla Pinks, but perpetuated by Akbar’s (branching out across the Pennines) and EastZEast, and these new kids on the block have offered curry clientele a whole new range of options.

LanguageEnglish
Publisher101 tips
Release dateNov 10, 2011
ISBN9781466084797
101 tips on CURRY HOUSES in Manchester
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101 tips

Hello and welcome to my author page.I started my digitial life as an ebook other and have now expanded into ebooks and website development / plugin developmentPlease check out my site and there will be more books coming over time

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    101 tips on CURRY HOUSES in Manchester - 101 tips

    INTRODUCTION

    Firstly, thank you for taking the time to purchase this edition of 101 tips on CURRY HOUSES in MANCHESTER. Your support is appreciated and we hope that you enjoy reading the tips and reviews contained in this book.

    This book has been written for all curry enthusiasts across the globe, to aid them in where to go when visiting Manchester, you may find that you get fatter over time if you follow the guide tips in this book.

    Other 101 tips can also be found online at the following link

    http://www.101tips.biz

    The website also has an interactive forum where members can post their own tips to get worse, discuss other members’ tips, and discuss curry houses in Manchester in general. We are always looking for more information on good curry houses – so please add any reviews of your own to the site.

    This is a living book and it will be continually updated with new reviews of the curry houses of Manchester.

    If you disagree with any of the tips in this book or on the website please do not hesitate to comment on them and discredit them – that’s half the fun :)

    The tips contained within this book are not to be distributed or repeated on the website or any other website on the internet.

    If you enjoy this book, please visit us on our webpage, register on the forum and start being an active member.

    We are also working on a number of other 101 tips titles so keep an eye out for these too. Full details will be published on the website when they become available.

    Background

    The curry scene in Manchester is a-changing.  Whereas Rusholme, the neon-heavy, curry theme park sitting south of the city centre, waving its tempting, competitively-priced array of spicy fare in the direction of the student population and beyond, has had rumblings and mumblings of discontent, stemming from stories about hygiene and credit card problems, not to mention a perceived decline of general standards.  It's still a unique area, though, with buses, cars and taxis shuffling interminably through with futile persistence; the smell (oh, the smell) as you exit one of said vehicles vivid and unmistakable (it helps that hunger is always at a peak at such junctures).  But, while the very centre of Mancunia used to be lumbered with dated, lacklustre curry venues (Gaylord; Rajdoot - still open, incidentally; Piccadilly Indian Restaurant, to name but a few), the restaurateurs began to sense that the locals wanted something a little different.  And so the upmarket curry house in the city was born, started (in Manchester anyway) by Shimla Pinks, but perpetuated by Akbar's (branching out across the Pennines) and EastZEast, and these new kids on the block have offered curry clientele a whole new range of options.

    That's not to say that Rusholme is no longer viable, but it does mean that there are even more curry houses in Manchester to choose from (and that's not even counting the vast array of places in the satellite towns, by which residents swear, such as Oldham, Rochdale and the like).  And that's where spaceman comes in.  Not one to shirk from the line of duty, particularly when it involves beer and/or food, spaceman (credentials: veteran curry night organiser, general curry stalwart, beer lover) intends to put forth upon these pages a comprehensive review of Manchester curry houses, covering not just those in the city centre and Rusholme, but those further afield that spaceman happens to visit.  Aiding spaceman in this thankless task are a bunch of unwitting but eager, and discerning, reporters (basically, those who accompany spaceman on any such soirée and can be bothered to proffer comments thereafter).  Yes, it's essentially what was here before but this will be different and, if not, then a tiny bit better to look at. 

    In spaceman's old age (well, not *that* old, but it's all relative), there is a more reflective, explorative and experimentative person in place (again, this is relatively speaking).  Gone is the channelled decision making process (jalfrezi or rogan josh), or the desire to go for the spiciest thing on the menu; to replaced by a curiosity to sample one of the chef's recommendations, to engage the staff in discussions of food and culture.  What you won't find spaceman doing, nor will you ever have, is ordering an omelette or devouring a prawn cocktail.  Akin to the practice of those who think nothing of ordering egg and chips with a pint of Carling when abroad in a country home to a wondrous array of food and drink, this is tantamount to heresy.  (It's bad enough ordering half-rice, half-chips; don't get spaceman started on ordering a Caribbean pizza from a curry takeaway.)  Y'know, people have the freedom to do what they damn well please (that fits nicely with spaceman's view that world is full of idiots).  But just not on spaceman's watch.  Anyway, rant mode off.

    Locations

    Where: Central Manchester

    Features: Classier joints with better food but higher prices.

    Places to go: A dead heat between Akbar's, brash newcomer which is almost always crammed full, and Shimla Pinks, old hand (still) awaiting new venue for re-launch.  Mind you, there are so many now it's hard to tell. 

    Do say: So many.  Which would you recommend?

    Don't say: I prefer Rusholme - it's the neon and the tradition.

    Reviewed: Akbar's ♦ Ashoka ♦ EastzEast (Blackfriars) ♦ EastzEast (Princess Street) ♦ Khan Ba Ba ♦ Lal Quila ♦ Lights Of India ♦ Rajdoot ♦ Shimla Pinks ♦ Swadesh ♦ Zaika ♦ Zouk

    No longer with us: Gaylord ♦ Hanaan ♦ Karims ♦ Spice

    Where: Rusholme

    Features: Lots of restaurant choice, neon heaven, quality on the decline, food hygiene and fraud controversies.

    Places to go: Al Bilal and Lal Haweli are old favourites that don't seem to have gone downhill too much.

    Do say: I love the smell of Rusholme in the morning.

    Don't say: The Curry Mile is old hat these days.

    Reviewed: Al Bilal ♦ Al Nawaz ♦ Hanaan ♦ Lal Quila ♦ Lal Haweli ♦ Mughli ♦ Punjab ♦ Sangam ♦ Shahenshah ♦ Shahi Masala ♦ Shezan ♦ Spicy Hut

    No longer with us: King Cobra ♦ Royal Naz ♦ Shaandaar ♦ Shere Khan ♦ Zaika

    Akbars

    Address: 73-82 Liverpool Road, City Centre

    Phone number: 834 7222 (834 8444 to book)

    Rating: 4.5/5

    Visited by the Curry Night on: Friday 28th July 2006

    Website: www.akbars.co.uk

    General comments: A new curry house in the centre of Manchester (it hadn't been open long when we went for the first time), Akbar's Liverpool Road branch is the fourth in the UK, following two in Leeds and one in Bradford; further venues have been set up in York and Sheffield.  Renowned for its huge naans, presented in their own unique way hooked on a large metal stand, Akbar's aims to compete in the higher quality curry market against Shimla Pinks (from which it is less than 10 minutes walk away).  Ridiculously busy these days, they have started to insist on a set menu for large party bookings (it's impossible to book in advance for small parties - keeps the volume up).

    Friday 28th July 2006

    Good.  3.75/5.  Drinks service was a bit slow at points.  Rice portions not huge but if ordered with MASSIVE naans not really needed.  Portion size of curry was excellent and the starters weren't so filling.  I think they've thought about that one when putting the menu together!  We'll have to branch out and try the one [not an Akbar's] in Altrincham next.

    "I thought Akbar's was very good indeed.  I had a nice chicken pakora for starter - nice big bits of chicken in a light batter.  I have had this dish at Akbar's (The Grand) in Leeds, where it was particularly spicy, but the one here was just right for me.  I then had a fish and potato curry (can't remember the exact type).  This was amazing - possibly the best curry I have ever had.  Nice bits of smoked fish and small potatoes in a sauce that was not too saucy, which I like, and not too oily.  It also had a good kick to it - about as spicy as I could stand.  If I went back, I would definitely order the same.  And the naan bread is worth getting for the comedy factor (and it's a pretty decent naan too).  All in all,

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