Gandhi, Herne Bay 9 Years later!

Phil & Bob often find that the subject of Curry comes up on their journeys too or from Airports and, on one such journey, Gandhi in Herne Bay came up.  Phil remembered that it had been reviewed in the past but was shocked to see that it was a long, long, time ago - in February 2014 in fact.  A quick call was made to Bob and thus the venue for tonight's curry was set.

Locals will tell you that Gandhi has been there for years (and Bob and Phil can vouch for at least 9 of those).  Located at the High Street end of Station Road, there is street parking nearby.

Stepping down into the restaurant there is a definite feel of a "traditional" curry house with, in places, the flock wallpaper still hanging.  That is not so say that it needs redecoration - far from it - but it adds to the feeling of having been there for ever.

The (Bottled) Cobra's arrived promptly and were nicely cold and shortly followed by fresh Papadums that were nicely warm!  Four pickles were also served.  Bob was unhappy that there was a lime pickle and not the powdered coconut pickle that he prefers.  Phil thought that the mango chutney had a really good tang to it.  Alongside the Papadums a little taster of Aubergine Fritters were offered and well received.

Phil was delighted to find that Chicken Dhansak was still on the menu and was not disappointed.  It was nicely presented, the sauce had the right texture and there was a delightful sweetness to offset the heat.  Bob chose the Korma and was not impressed with the lack of flavour and he felt it almost watery.  Given the lack of Special rice at their last venue, the boys decided to continue off piste with Phil opting for a very nice Keema rice and Bob choosing a Tikka rice (which he thought was better than his Curry!)

In an attempt at standardisation, they opted for Chana Massala - which both enjoyed and Phil in particular thought had a very distinct flavour that worked well with his Dhansak - and Bombay Aloo - which was again disappointed and left Bob wondering why anyone had bothered to dig the potatoes up if their fate was to end up as a bland lump on a dish.

The service was not how Bob and Phil remembered it from before.  Their waiter, whilst not rude, seemed to just be going through the motions and not really engaged.  It should be noted, however, that hot towels are not a thing of the past everywhere - even if they are of the "microwaved" variety.

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	8	8
Papadum	8	8
Curry	9	5
Rice & Vegetables	7	7
Service & Ambiance Bonus	7 1	6 1

                

A total of 75 which is quite a way below the previous score 9 years ago.

The score left Phil and Bob wondering whether their standards had changed over time of if the Post COVID era has led to lower standards.  Having said that 8 of the 10 tables in the restaurant were occupied which seemed remarkable for a Wednesday evening so it remains popular with the local clientele.  Gandhi should also be congratulated for its durability as many other curry houses have come and gone.

Flavours by Kumar, Ramsgate

It is said that time flies like an arrow (and fruit flies are partial to a banana) and, in the blink of an eye, years have passed and things change.  Bob no longer runs a furniture shop and both he and Phil can be seen on the various motorways around Gatwick and Heathrow as they both now drive Private Hire vehicles specialising in airport transfers.

Without the need to deliver furniture in the evening the excuse for a curry was lost but now, following recommendations from various passengers, it is back!

So Phil dusted off his notebook; Bob dusted off his taste buds and for the first time in nearly 6 long curry free years a destination was set.  Flavours by Kumar in Ramsgate.

Flavours is located on Effingham Street in Ramsgate, close to the junction with Queen Street.  There is no obvious street parking nearby but there is a pay and display car park in Cavendish Street a couple of minutes’ walk away.

It may be because there were external redecorations in progress but the entrance was slightly confusing as the door had “exit only” emblazoned on it but Bob and Phil made it inside and were shown to a table.  It is worth noting that, for a Wednesday evening, there were several tables occupied with more arrivals during Bob and Phil’s meal so they were left with an impression that it was a popular venue with the locals.

The (bottled) Cobras arrived quite quickly and were cold but not quite cold enough.  Bob and Phil were then presented with a small amuse-bouche (if there is such an Indian equivalent) of a nicely presented aubergine fritter which was both welcome and tasty.

The pupadums were soon to follow with assorted Chutneys.  Bob was a little disappointed that there were only three chutneys and, bizarrely, Phil struggled with the onions (he felt the way that they were cut made them difficult to eat).   Bob also felt that the pupadums themselves were bordering on becoming stale.

With the pupadums consumed, another amuse-bouche was to follow in the shape of a very flavoursome cup of soup following which the main courses were served.  Bob chose his normal Chicken Korma but Phil was dismayed that there was not a Dhansak in sight and, instead, settled for a Gosht Mughlai.  Also missing from the menu was a special rice dish so both settled for an egg rice and they shared sides of Chana Masala and Bombay Aloo.

Phil did enjoy his curry - not initially hot but it crept up on him - but Bob felt that his choice was rather bland.  They were both disappointed with the Bombay Aloo – with Bob commenting that the potatoes should have been left in the ground but felt that the Chick Peas were very good.

The service was well paced and not overbearing and the amuse-bouche courses were a nice innovation.  It was also disappointing to note, however, that towels were not provided at the end of the meal and Phil was left wondering whether they had become a casualty of Covid.

All in all a bit of a mixed bag with the scoring as follows

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	7	7
Papadum	6	6
Curry	8	3
Rice & Vegetables	7	7
Service & Ambiance Bonus for Amuse-Bouches*	7 2	6 2

*2 bonus points awarded by both for the amuse-bouches

                

In total a somewhat disappointing 68

It was great to be back out currying again but it does feel that things have changed.  Both Bob and Phil have noticed that many of the curry houses that they knew and loved have fallen by the wayside and Phil is worried that Chicken Dhansak no longer features on the menus!  After so long away it is difficult to judge whether the scoring has been harsh.  Only time will tell