Namaste at the Swingate Inn, Dover

Back in August Bob & Phil were anticipating a curry in Dover which morphed into somewhere else.  Well, 4 months further on the chance came again and, with the recommendation of the customer's son off they set to Namaste.

Those with knowledge of the Dover area will recognise the Swingate Inn as, well, and Inn on the Dover to Deal road.  Well it is an Inn but the ground floor has now been taken over by an Indian Restaurant - Namaste.

Restaurant wise it is very modern and has in interesting twist - the kitchen is open plan so you can see your curry being cooked.  It was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday evening and Phil counted at least 7 other sets of diners as they were shown to their table.

The (draught) Cobras arrived in short order.  Cool but not cold enough for either Bob or Phil's liking.

The Pappadums took a few minutes to arrive and were different to what Bob and Phil normally expect.  Phil's best description was very thin oatcakes, Bob just thought that they were Bland.  Phil was also disappointed by the lack of onion.

The menu seemed to be limited to a smaller than usual selection and Phil was initially dismayed to be unable to find a Dhansak.  Having read through the menu he went for a Chicken Dhabba - described as Indian Street Food - whilst Bob went for a Butter Chicken.  The consensus of both was that the sauce was far too thin and runny - more akin to a gravy than a sauce.  Bob did enjoy his Butter Chicken though whilst Phil thought that is Dhabba was rather one dimensional with no depth of flavour.

The vegetables were a bit of a mixed bag.  Both Bob & Phil thought that the Chana Masalla was excellent but neither could work out the Sag Aloo which was a strange colour and flavour with what seemed to be overcooked potato slices.

The service was good considering how busy the restaurant was.  It has to be noted, however, that no post prandial towels were offered and neither were there chocolates to sweeten the bill.  Picky Phil also noted that the napkins were paper rather than cloth.

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	6	7
Pappadum	6	6
Curry	8	9
Rice & Vegetables	8	9
Service & Ambiance	7	7

                

In total a below average 73.

Phil & Bob liked the concept of the open kitchen and noted that there were several easy marks that could have been earned.

Shobab - Whitstable

With deliveries beginning to dry up. Bob & Phil felt the need for a social event.  You can't have a social event without a curry (in Bob & Phil's book anyway) so Whitstable, being the closest source of curry houses was the chosen venue.  As it was a social it was also decided to go where they knew they would enjoy it so Shobab - probably the best curry house in town - was their destination.

Unlike other Whitstable curry houses that have upped sticks and moved, Shobab remains at the Harbour Street end of the High Street.  For those of you that like to navigate via Pubs it is between the Royal Naval Reserve and Duke of Cumberland on the same side as "The Naval" (as it is colloquially known)

Bob & Phil were shown to the same table as a few short months previously (last review 30/8) and, as expected, the (draught) Cobras were nicely cold.  There was a short wait for for the Pappadums but they were nicely fresh and warm.  Phil did think that the Lime pickle was a little salty - something that he had noted recently elsewhere - the same supplier or had Phil's tastebuds changed.

This being a social event, Phil decided to go for something different and chose a Sikandari Rann (a curried lamb shank) whilst Bob was still rather misty eyed about his Butter Chicken from the previous visit.  Perhaps it was because of Phil's unusual choice but from here on in the service became rather slow.

When the curries arrived, however, they were well worth the wait.  Bob loved the depth of flavours in his Butter Chicken and Phil was extremely pleased with the richness without too much heat of the Lamb shank which both Bob & Phil thought was extremely well presented.

The vegetables were as expected a perfect foil for the main dishes and this time Bob didn't feel that the Muttar Paneer was a butter chicken in disguise!

If there was one area where the Shobab let itself down it was with the service.  Paper napkins may be cheaper that laundering cloth ones but they really do detract from the experience.  The service was on the slow side - and at one point Bob & Phil could hear a lot of shouting and arguing (they guessed from the tone of voices) from the kitchen.  There were no postprandial napkins and on leaving there was no-one wishing them goodnight......little things mean a lot!!

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	9	9
Papadum	8	7
Curry	9	10
Rice & Vegetables	9	8
Service & Ambiance	6	5

                

In total a very good 80 which with a little bit of effort could have been a table topping score

The Shobab remains head and shoulders above the other Whitstable Curry Houses in terms of their food but perhaps they know it and it is leading to a lack of care in the customer service area.

Joshan - Wye......Why?

A delivery to Ashford called for Bob & Phil.  On the way over Phil casually searched for nearby Curry Houses and up popped Joshan.

It has a very professional looking website and had good reviews so on the way back a detour was made to Wye..........and Bob & Phil, experts as they are at finding addresses couldn't find it!

Eventually after parking up and walking purposely through the village the location was found....boarded up and with all sorts of notices posted on the doors.

So you have closed the restaurant.....why not the website.

Bob & Phil were not impressed

Raj Venue - Canterbury

Following the disappointment of  the chosen restaurant's demise, (See Joshan, Wye) a frantic search by Phil unearthed a Canterbury Curry House that neither Phil nor Bob had noticed despite driving past it on a regular basis.

Raj Venue is located at the Westgate Towers end of St Dunstan's in Canterbury next door to the far better known (and obviously advertised) Cafe des Amis.  To say that its presence is understated is an understatement in itself as the name does not appear on the outside of the building!  Inside it is newly decorated and brightly lit.  There seemed to be two distinct areas with different seating and gave the overall impression of work in progress.

It took a couple of minutes for Bob & Phil to be greeted and shown to a table and that set the scene for the rest of the evening.  Unusually the Papadums arrived before the Cobras and they were quite fresh (but not warm).  The pickles included what Phil believed was an Onion and Beetroot chutney which he very much enjoyed.  The (draught) Cobras did eventually turned up and were well worth waiting for as they were nicely cold.

The papadums had long since been consumed before the curries arrived.  Both were very nicely presented.  Phil did think, though, that his Dhansak was excellent.  It had the right texture and flavours.  Bob, on the other hand, was very disappointed by his Korma.  He found no flavour whatsoever and was quickly bored.

It is worth pointing out that the portions were extremely generous, particularly the special rice which neither Bob nor Phil could finish.  The Muttar Paneer was enjoyed by both particularly as the flavour of the peas shone through over the sweet creamy sauce but the Bombay Aloo was very disappointingly bland.

Overall the service can best be described as slow which was somewhat surprising given there were only two tables occupied.

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	9	10
Papadum	9	8
Curry	9	4
Rice & Vegetables	7	7
Service & Ambiance	6	6

 A creditable 75 despite Bob's curry!

Bob's unfortunate curry apart, Raj Venue could be the best curry house in Canterbury......if you can find it!

Star of Bengal - A new location in Whitstable

Until very recently the Star of Bengal was a small restaurant located opposite the Library on Oxford Street.  It is there no more.  Following weeks of rumours it has moved to the other end of town and is now located on Harbour Street - opposite the Duke of Cumberland.  Those that know Whitstable will recognise the site as the former home of the Shamrat Indian Restaurant which, it has to be said, was probably the least popular of Whitstable's Curry Houses.

The curry house move intrigued Phil and he persuaded Bob to come out on a non delivery based trip to see how the move went.  Was it a takeover? Was it a merger?  For those who may wish to compare, the previous review of the Star of Bengal can be found here.. http://bobandphilscurryblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/star-of-bengal.html

As previously mentioned the Star of Bengal is now located at the High Street end of Harbour Street opposite the Duke of Cumberland pub.  There is some on street parking nearby and also 2 public car parks withing 3 minutes walk.  It has been freshly decorated and was quite brightly lit and can now cater for about double the number of diners than before.

Bob and Phil were greeted politely and shown to a table and the (bottled)  Cobra's arrived shortly after.  Phil felt that his wasn't quite cold enough but Bob didn't seem to mind too much.

The pappadums followed in fairly short order accompanied by the usual complement of pickles.  Sadly one of them was rather burnt and wasn't too pleasant.  Phil also felt that the Lime Pickle was a little too salty but Bob wouldn't know as he doesn't go anywhere near it!

The curries arrived in due course, Phil enjoyed his Dhansak which had the right texture and, unusually, pieces of chopped chilli added to the sauce.  Bob also found his Butter Chicken to be good too although he felt that the chicken may have been a little overcooked.  Both Bob & Phil were somewhat confused to find their meals served with plates regaled with the name of the previous restaurant at that site.

Phil chose to try the Bengal special rice for something different.  He enjoyed it and noted that it contained pieces of chicken and prawns as well as the usual vegetables found in the "normal" special fried rice that Bob went for. The Sag Aloo was OK but the Muttar Paneer was rather disappointing- it felt like lumps of cheese and frozen peas had simply been added to a packet cheese sauce mix.

The service was friendly and Bob & Phil were offered complementary drinks at the end along with the (microwaved) packet towels.

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

                

In total a rather below average 70.

So....the new venue has done little to improve on what Bob & Phil found before in the old location but from a site perspective, the restaurant is a significant improvement on what was there before.

India Royal - Faversham

A series of deliveries along the length of the A2 saw Bob & Phil end up in Faversham a mere two minutes walk from the India Royal which has always been a good venue.....it just had to be done!

Just along East Street, not far from the traffic lights on the corner, India Royal is a modern looking restaurant (although it has been there for many years).  Unusually Bob couldn't find a space in the nearby car park so had to use nearby on road parking.

The Papadums were exactly as expected, warm and fresh although Phil was a little disappointed to only see three pickles.  The (draught) Cobra was nicely cold and, as Phil felt, very needed after the deliveries.

Phil decided to do something different this evening and chose a Chicken Handi rather than the usual Dhansak.  He felt it was very good indeed with a very rich and deeply flavoured sauce with a gentle warmth.  Bob stuck to his usual Butter Chicken which had its usual creamy, smokey flavour that he has come to expect.

The Muttar Paneer was, Phil thought, an excellent contrast to the Handi but somehow the rich sauce of the curry seemed to overpower the Bombay Aloo.

Although it was exceptionally quiet - Bob & Phil were initially the only diners - the service felt very slow.  So much so that Bob had to get up and ask for the bill.

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	9	8
Papadum	8	8
Curry	9	9
Rice & Vegetables	8	9
Service & Ambiance	7	7

                

In total 82 - around what Bob & Phil have come to expect from this restaurant.

India Royal remains the best restaurant in Faversham!

Shobab - Whitstable

Sometimes things don't always go according to plan and the original target of Dover morphed into something closer to home and both Bob and Phil were surprised to find that one of the most popular restaurants in Whitstable had never been featured on the blog.

Shobab is located on Whitstable High Street towards the Harbour Street end.  There is limited on street parking nearby but two or three car parks are not far away.  It looks to have been neutrally decorated with the result that it doesn't feel like a traditional Indian Restaurant.

Bob and Phil were shown to a table and the Papadums arrived not far behind.  They were warm and fresh and Bob was pleased to see both a mint and a mango dip.  The (draught) Cobra's also arrived promptly and were very well received.

The curries took a little while coming but were well worth the wait.  Bob thoroughly enjoyed his Butter Chicken.  Phil felt that his Dhansak was good but lacked a little something that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

The Sag Paneer was very good with the combination of the flavours working well together.  Bob felt that the Muttar Paneer was a little to much like his Curry but Phil felt that it was a good contrast to his.

The service was a little on the slow side.  Phil noted that paper serviettes were used rather than cloth and there were no post curry towels served.  He did like the orange hint in the chocolates though!

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	8	8
Papadum	8	8
Curry	8	9
Rice & Vegetables	9	8
Service & Ambiance	7	7

                

In total a very creditable 80 putting it into the overall top 20 and just 4 marks short of the top 10. It is certainly the best in Whistable

Bob & Phil can unserstand why it is such a popular venue.

Kashmir Tandoori - Canterbury

After a quick trip over to the Canterbury side of Ashford Bob & Phil thought that it would be an idea to revisit a Canterbury Curry House.  Their previous favourite has closed so they decided to go back to the Kashmir Tandoori.

The Kashmir Tandoori is located on Palace Street in Canterbury which is part of the King's Mile.  There is no real parking near the restaurant but St Radigunds car park is a short walk away.  The decor of the restaurant reflects the age of the buildings with (some faux) beams exposed and low ceilings.  Many of the tables are set into little booths which gives it an intimate feel.

Bob and Phil were shown to a table towards the rear of the restaurant which was notably busy and Phil spotted a salt cellar on the table which is never a good omen!  To counter this the back of the menu proclaimed many awards including being in the top 100 UK Curry Houses for 3 years in the early 2000's and the memory of a high score just over a year ago.

The Papadums arrived very promptly indeed - before even the (draught) Cobras - and were sent back as several had strange brown (curry sauce we were told) stains on them.  The replacements were fresh but were let down somewhat by only three pickles two of which tasted identical and an onion pickle which only Phil likes.

There was quite a delay before the curries arrived - reflecting the busy nature of the restaurant.  Bob felt that his Butter Chicken was on the bland side which contrasted greatly with Phil's Dhansak which was very tasty indeed with the right texture and balance of flavours.

Unfortunately the rice was rather cool and the vegetable dishes were rather a disappointment.  The muttar paneer was virtually tasteless and Bob & Phil were surprised to find cabbage in the sauce that it was served in.  The cabbage was also to be found in the Sag Aloo which did have some flavour from the spinach.

The service was not unpleasant but a bit Fawlty Towers ish.  Phil did not like that the table cloth had stains on it (before Bob set to with the pickles!) and the hot plates had clearly seen better days and were in need of replacement.

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	7	7
Papadum	5	4
Curry	9	6
Rice & Vegetables	4	3
Service & Ambiance	5	6

                

In total a very disappointing 56 putting Kashmir Tandoori in the bottom 3.

It is interesting to note that 2 of the bottom 3 restaurants that Bob & Phil have blogged are in Canterbury (and there is a third one also in the bottom 10).  Is it something about being in a tourist area that leads to an inconsistent result?

Tandoori Palace - Ditton

After weeks without a delivery, two come along in consecutive weeks.  This evening a trip to Ditton was called for and Bob had a chance during the day to do some research.  Tandoori Palace with a rating of 4.3 stars based on 26 reviews according to a certain well known search engine.

Located in a small lane just off the A20, Tandoori Palace is a converted Pub - the Walnut Tree - and accordingly has its own car park.  Large and recently decorated it looked clean and welcoming.  Bob and Phil were, however, the only diners.

The Papadums arrived promptly along with a selection of pickles.  Sadly they were not overly fresh and Bob was distressed to note a lack of raita with a red, onion based, pickle instead. Neither Bob nor Phil were impressed by this addition.  The (draught) Cobra was cold but not, they felt, cold enough.

The curries were nicely presented.  In the absence of a Butter Chicken Bob ordered a Chicken Labada (which, from the description, looked exactly the same).  Phil went for the usual Dansak.  Bob was a little disappointed with the blandness of the Labada.  Phil liked the texture of the Dansak but couldn't detect the sweetness.  He also didn't care for the little bits of chilli in it.

The Sag Aloo was very good but Mottar Paneer was garden peas (overcooked and tasteless) in a cheese sauce rather than the anticipated soft cheese lumps.  The rice, although nice, was a bit cold when it arrived.

The waiters were polite and attentive - but then again as Bob & Phil were the only diners they didn't have much else to do - although Phil did note a steady stream of takeaway deliveries leaving the restaurant.  Most disappointing though was the lack of hot towels with cold wipes being provided instead!

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	8	7
Papadum	6	5
Curry	8	6
Rice & Vegetables	8	7
Service & Ambiance	6	6

                

In total a rather uninspiring 67 - significantly below what was anticipated given the reviews online.

Perhaps Bob & Phil have different tastes to other online bloggers?

Mumbai Gate - Bethersden

Back in August 2013 (21st to be exact) Bob & Phil did a delivery to Tenterden and, on the way back found a restaurant on the site of the old Royal Standard public house.  This evening with a delivery to nearby Woodchurch they thought they would revisit - just short of four years on.  The pub was where they remembered it but the restaurant has changed hands and is now the Mumbai Gate.  Last time around the score was a commendable 74. How would it fare this time around?

Bob & Phil were cheerfully greeted and shown to a table...as it happened the only one in the restaurant that did not have napkins but soon sorted by Bob from an adjacent empty table.

Beers and Popadums were ordered and arrived promptly.  The (draught) Cobras could, perhaps, have been a little colder but the Popadums were nicely warm and fresh.  Phil found the lime pickle nicely spicely and initially Bob was disappointed not to see any Raita amongst the dips but on trying the Tamarind based replacement soon forgot about it.

As before, Butter Chicken was not on the menu but was available on request.  Often Bob finds that this is simply served as a renamed Korma but not so this evening.  Bob found it very tasty and enjoyed it immensely.  Phil enjoyed his Dhansak which had the right texture and heat but was a little too tomato based for his taste.  The portions were very generous and served in attractive dishes which came hot and remained so throughout the meal.

The special rice was first class.  Light and delicately flavoured,the peas could be tasted and was the perfect buffer for the curry.  The vegetables worked well too with both the Bombay Aloo and the Sag Paneer having their distinct and complementary flavours.

The service was very polite and affable and Bob & Phil had a long conversation with the owner about curries and the history of Mumbai Gate and its plans.  It must be noted, though, that as well as no napkins on the table initially neither were there hot towels served after the meal.

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	8	8
Papadum	8	8
Curry	8	10
Rice & Vegetables	10	10
Service & Ambiance	9	10

                

In total an excellent 89 putting it firmly in second place only a single point behind the table topping Tandoori.

The passion of the owners is evident and they deserve to succeed.  The plans that they have to attract diners into a restaurant that is essentially in the middle of nowhere are exciting and Bob and Phil hope to return sooner than they did this time around!

Tulshe - Herne Bay

On the way back from a delivery to Westgate the boys decided to try out a restaurant in Herne Bay that Phil had received good reports about.

Tulshe is not the most central of restaurants in Herne Bay being located towards the Greenhill end of Sea Street.  There is plenty of on street parking to be found and, it has to be said, it is quite easy to miss so look carefully!

The restaurant has a modern feel to it and initially Bob & Phil were somewhat apprehensive as they were the only diners - although there were a steady stream of take-away deliveries leaving through the door.

The Papadums were nicely fresh and warm and complemented by an excellently presented set of pickles with all the favourites available to sample.  The (draught) Cobras arrived shortly afterwards and were nicely cold.

The curries took a little while to arrive - a surprise given that Bob & Phil were the only diners - but were well worth the wait.  Bob thoroughly enjoyed his Butter Chicken Tikka, rating it as highly as from his favourite restaurant.  Phil too thought his Dhansak to be up there with some of the best.

The Sag Paneer and Bombay Aloo were well flavoured and complemented the curries well - the Paneer providing a sweet contrast to the Dhansak and the Aloo adding a spice for the Butter Chicken.   All the dishes were served piping hot and clearly cooked to order.

The service was, perhaps, the only disappointment.  It did seem a little slow and indifferent, perhaps as a result of takeway orders and there were a few little things like paper napkins and uncomfortable chairs that downgraded the experience a little

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	9	9
Papadum	9	9
Curry	9	10
Rice & Vegetables	9	10
Service & Ambiance	7	7

                

In total a very well earned 88, usurping Bob's favourite restaurant in the area and only a couple of marks behind the table topping curry house that Bob & Phil have visited.

Food wise, Tulshe is undoubtedly the best restaurant in the Herne Bay/Whitstable/Canterbury area.  A little more effort in service and making the meal more of an experience and Tulshe could and should be a destination to go to!

Everest Inn - Hythe

Back in June 2014 Bob & Phil visited the Everest Inn in Ashford and, in their closing comments, indicated that when in Hythe they would try the sister restaurant there.  Well it took nearly three years but finally the day arrived!

Located on the High Street in Hythe, the Everest Inn is easily found as its Blue & Silver fascia does rather stand out.  The High Street in Hythe is quite narrow and is one-way so there is no on-street parking but there is a public car park a short walk away.

Having been shown to their table, Bob & Phil settled down to await their (draft) Kingfishers and papadums.  The restaurant is tastefully decorated and deceptively large as it goes back quite a way although not as far as Bob thought courtesy of a cunningly placed mirror!  For a monday night it was surprisingly busy.

The Papadums and Beers duly arrived.  The Papadums were nicely warm and fresh but the pickles were a little disappointing.  The carrot pickle was somewhat bland and limp (not at all how Phil remembered it from Ashford) and the raita was rather watery.  The Kingfisher was nicely cold and well received.

The curries took a while to arrive, the Papadums had long since been consumed but the combination of the end of the football season coupled with the conversation of two young mums revelling in an evening out ensured that Bob & Phil did not get bored.  Bob couldn't help but wonder, however, how the two dads were coping with their young charges as both babies are teething!

Bob was feeling adventurous and decided to order a Chicken Nepal - one of the Gurkha specialities on the menu.  He enjoyed it although found the promised Mango a little elusive.  Phil stuck to his Dhansak which was not at all unpleasant although the tomato seemed to dominate the flavour to the detriment of the lentils.

The special rice was very light and tasty although Bob is not a big fan of mushrooms and the Sag Paneer was very good indeed with excellent squeaky cheese.  The Chana Masalla was disappointingly bland, however, which was a bit of a let down.

The service was polite and friendly albeit rather leisurely.  That having been said it did not detract from a nice evening as the young mums' conversation was very entertaining!

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

               

In total a reasonable, about average 72

Perhaps it is disappointing to note that the Hythe branch didn't score as well as the Ashford sibling (which scored 80).  Discussing the meal on the way home, both Bob & Phil felt that the evening had been somewhat expensive.  Most frequently the bills for the curry blog come to around the £35-40 mark and this one weighed in at a hefty £52!  Even allowing for the Gurkha speciality, given the size of the bill Bob & Phil couldn't help but feel that average wasn't good enough.

Rayleigh Spicy - Rayleigh

Distant deliveries have become something of a rarity over the past months so it was a pleasant surprise to find an out of county trip to Rayleigh in Essex on the cards.  Even more of a surprise was to find so many choices in such close proximity to where Bob & Phil finished up - would they be disappointed with their choice?

Rayleigh Spicy is located on the High Street in Rayleigh at the end of a modern parade of shops.  There is a large car park behind the parade about two minutes walk away.  It is nicely decorated and has a warm, welcoming feel.

The (draught) Cobras arrived very promptly and were nicely cold,  The papadums were not far behind and were served with an interesting red, onion based, pickle rather than the usual lime.  Bob is not an onion fan so, initially, was not keen but having worked out how to leave the onion chunks behind enjoyed the sauce.  The papadums themselves were warm and fresh and nicely crumbly.

There was quite a pause before the curries appeared and were a bit of a mixed bag.  Phil's Dhansak had the right texture but, flavour wise, was somewhat lacking as it seemed to be too tomato based and was certainly one of the milder Dhansak that he had encountered.  Bob's Butter Chicken was rather chewy and, again lacked flavour.

It should be noted that the portions served were very generous throughout and this also applied to the rice and vegetables. Both Bob and Phil enjoyed the rice.  Phil thought that the Sag Paneer was very good although Bob felt that the Bombay Aloo was a little on the bland side.  Hidden between the three was a little aniseed hit that kept recurring -  they couldn't work out where it was coming from!!

The service was a little on the slow side but this could be down to how busy the restaurant was on a midweek evening.  The waiters, though, were very friendly and affable and looked after Bob & Phil well.

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	8	9
Papadum	8	8
Curry	7	6
Rice & Vegetables	8	7
Service & Ambiance	7	7

                

In total a very respectable 76 - above average but not quite in the top 20.

Bob & Phil could understand why Rayleigh Spicy was busy - it was Thali night and that seemed very popular.  Should another delivery to Rayleigh be called upon then Bob & Phil will be back!