Shamrat Revisited

A double delivery tonight meant the plan was to curry in Sittingbourne just before the second drop.  A seriously jammed up centre of Maidstone, however, saw Bob and Phil stuck and moving nowhere fast (or slow for that matter) right outside the entrance to a car park just around the corner from the Shamrat.  Plans were rapidly redrawn - why wait in a traffic jam when you can wait in a curry house?

The Shamrat is located on Lower Stone Street in Maidstone.  It is a rather busy road with no parking but there is a multi-storey car park just around the corner.  The restaurant has a pleasant mix of beams and brickwork and the lighting and decor reflects the age of the building.  We were pleasantly greeted on entry and shown to a choice of tables.  Again for a Wednesday evening it was surprisingly busy.

As we remembered it, the Papadums were warm and fresh and lightly salted.  The dips were the usual mix of onions, raita and mano chutney but with the addition of a lovely spicy chilli jam.  Very good indeed.  The (draught) beers were nicely cold and very well received.

The curries were very good indeed and Phil in particular loved the texture of the sauce of his Dhansak.  Bob felt that his Korma was as good as he remembered.

The vegetables were different this time around, Gone were the dry peas and Bob thought that the Aloo Ghobi had much more flavour.

The service was again very good although Bob felt that he had been a little over-attended.

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	8	8
Papadum	8	9
Curry	9	8
Rice & Vegetables	8	8
Service & Ambiance	9	8

In total a very good 82 - just slightly below the first time around but an equally enjoyable evening.

Bob and Phil had been a little disappointed with the result of recent re-visits but Shamrat seems to remain consitent.

Tandoori Parlour, Rainham. Hero to Zero (well nearly)

After a few weeks without a curry a fairly local evening delivery left Bob & Phil with an opportunity to revisit a nearby Curry House, The Tandoori Parlour which on the last visit equalled the top score.  Expectations were high!

The Tandoori Parlour is located in a small row of shops on the A2 with its junction with Mierscourt Road.  Parking is available in a public car park nearby - unfortunately Pay & Display until 22:00.  To say that the outside is understated is an understatement!  It would be very easy to miss.

The Papadums and (Bottled) Cobras arrived quite quickly.  Again both Bob and this time Phil too felt that the beer could have been a little colder but the array of pickles served on a lazy susan was still there to enjoy.  Unfortunately the Papadums themselves weren't warm and in one case was a little burned and just didn't seem to be that fresh.  Still a weak point!.

The curries last time around were undoubtedly the high point scoring 19 out of a possible 20 but this time.....there must be a different chef.  Phil's Dhansak was more like a Pathia.  The heat and sweetness was there but the sauce was thin and not a lentil to be detected.  Bob's Korma, which last time was a two-tone delight,was a very bland and ordinary looking affair.

The vegetables were good, both the Sag Aloo and Muttar Paneer were full of flavour but could, perhaps have been a little warmer.

The service was also very different to how Bob & Phil remembered it.  Almost completely absent!  There were no napkins on the table and neither were Bob & Phil offered any, Papadums and Beers apart, everything was slow with the only waiter on duty seeming completely disinterested until it was time to pay.  This was the first time that either Bob of Phil felt disinclined to leave a tip!

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	7	7
Papadum	6	7
Curry	6	6
Rice & Vegetables	8	7
Service & Ambiance	2	2

In total a very poor 58 which now puts Tandoori Parlour as one of the three worst curry houses that Bob & Phil have visited.  What a difference a few months makes!  Bob & Phil will not be back.

Summary.....