Lateef Revisited

It had been about 3 years since Bob & Phil had last been to Lateef so a local delivery gave them the opportunity to pop back and try it again.  It is fair to say that it hadn't been the highest of scorers in the past so in they went with an open mind.

The decor was as clean and bright as Bob & Phil remembered but the waiters seemed different in kaftanesque uniforms.

The Papadums were fine but, again, only three pickles were offered - not a lime pickle in sight.  The beers were nicely cold.  Phil did think that the there was a slightly burned taste on one of the Papadums.

The curries were much as remembered but this time around Phil didn't feel that his Dhansak was Pathia like - a different chef?

Phil felt that the vegetables were a bit of a let down, however, as there was a distinct lack of flavour.  Bob didn't seem to mind that too much.

Despite the uniforms, the service didn't feel that good.  Indifference and aloof were words that Bob and Phil used when discussing their scores.

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

In total 70 - virtually an identical score to last time.

Although it is quite popular, there is something about Lateef that doesn't quite hit the mark.  Not bad but not quite there when compared to some of the better restaurants in Kent.

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.....

Secret Spices - Margate

A delivery to the Westwood Cross area of Thanet was required and, as the van was pointed in that direction,  Bob & Phil decided to head towards Margate.  Trundling down the road past the QEQM Hospital they spotted Secret Spices.....and now the secret is out!

Secret Spices is on the Ramsgate Road at a 5 way junction which includes the B2052 and Helena Avenue.  It is the site of the former Victoria Pub.  There is limited street parking available just down the road and the Restaurant has a small car park.  Bob and Phil would describe Secret Spices as a Modern indian restaurant - it is brightly lit and very open plan and very clean looking.  Both Bob and Phil were surprised at how busy it was for a Thursday evening.

The (bottled Cobras) arrived promptly soon to be followed by the Pappadums. both Bob & Phil felt that they could have been a bit colder but were impressed with the freshness (they were still warm) of the Pappadums.  Phil was a little disappointed at only having three dips (he does like his lime Pickle) and whilst Bob was not too sure about the flavour of they yoghurt based dip (it contained Tamarind we think).

Phil was very pleased with his Dhansak.  The texture of the sauce was excellent with the flavour of the lentils coming through with hints of sweetness.  Bob enjoyed his Butter Chicken but felt that it lacked a little depth of flavour.

Both Bob and Phil thought that the vegetables were excellent.  Phil in particular found that the Sag Paneer's sweetness complemented his Dhansak and, unusually, they both thought they detected a hint of mint in the sauce.  They both enjoyed the Bombay Aloo but Phil felt that the rice was a little bland.  Bob, though, disagreed!

The service is, probably, the one area of disappointment for the evening.  The conclusion that Bob and Phil reached was the Secret Spices was probably understaffed for the evening.  It was busy but Bob had to ask for the menus and also indicate that they were ready to order - twice.   To offset this, however, the ambiance was excellent - the restaurant was brightly lit and there were very nice touches with the cutlery and crockery as well as a neat little trick with the post curry napkins.

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

In total a very creditable 80, placing Secret Spices just outside of the top 10 on our list.

Of the 4 places blogged in Thanet so far, Secret Spices comes out on top and it is easy to see why. With a little attention to service (and Bob and Phil are prepared to accept that it was unusually busy) it could take something exceptional to stop it from being the best Indian in Thanet.

Addendum 9 June:

Bob & Phil hadn't planned to but happened to be in Thanet with another delivery just about next door and they felt that it would be rude not to pop in again....

Different currys this time (Butter Chicken for Bob and Chicken Rogan for Phil) and different veggies (Chana Masala and Sag Aloo) but every bit as good as last time.  It was quieter but there seemed to be more staff in and around and they were very attentive without being intrusive.  Both Bob and Phil also thought that the Beer was colder too.  Definitely the "Go To" Indian in Thanet.

Spice Club - Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks is a place that Bob & Phil had yet to visit on their travels and so it was with a degree of anticipation that the trip commenced.  The Spice Club was duly spotted on the outbound journey through the town and was, accordingly, the designated stopping off point come curry o'clock.

Located on Sevenoaks High Street, the Spice Club can easily be spotted as a restaurant but it doesn't look like your typical Indian.  So much so that Phil did double check the menu in the window before going in.  On entering Bob & Phil were warmly greeted, shown to a table and promptly brought menus.
 
The Papadums and (bottled) Cobras arrived promptly.  The former were nicely warm, the latter nicely cold (but Bob felt could have been a bit colder).  Bob was pleased to see his favourite pickles arrive with the Papadums but Phil was disappointed by the distinct lack of a Lime pickle.  The Onions were also served in a Tamarind (he thinks) sauce which was interesting to begin with but that interest soon wore off.

The curries arrived in nicely presented dishes.  Physically nice and hot and in hot dishes.but....Bob was rather disappointed with the overpowering smokiness of his Butter Chicken.  He felt that the way that the chicken had been cut (into small strips) had also led to it being overcooked and a little tough.  Phil thought that his Dhansak sauce was very good but the meat was disappointing.  Like Bob his was overcooked in places but also he could taste a paraffin flavour on some of the meat.  It looked and felt like the chicken had been seared/barbecued and allowed to burn.

The vegetables were a bit of a mixed bag.  The rice was very nice and also nicely presented (both Bob & Phil enjoyed playing with their rice castles!) and the Malai Sag was very good indeed (probably the highlight of the meal) but the Pindi Chole was extremely garlic laden to the point where it blocked out all other flavours.

The service started well but became indifferent.  Bob had to ask for the table to be cleared.  It was also disappointing to be offered cold wipes.

Area	Phil	Bob
Beer	8	7
Papadum	7	7
Curry	5	4
Rice & Vegetables	7	7
Service & Ambiance	6	6

In total a rather mediocre 64 and notably only the third time that the two curries have failed to produce a double figure score between them.

The Spice Club look great from the outside and is nicely presented inside too but as the saying goes you cannot judge a book by its cover and the contents sadly just didn't live up to the presentation.