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!