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.

Tandoori Parlour - Rainham

Tonight's delivery was to Rainham and, having driven along the A2 many, many times Phil was sure that there was a third Indian Restaurant but couldn't quite remember where.  The challenge tonight was to find it!

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.

Once inside, the restaurant is nicely decorated and seems quite small but there is a second room upstairs.

The Papadums and (Bottled) Cobras arrived quite quickly.  Bob felt that the beer could have been a little colder but was impressed (as was Phil) with the array of pickles served on a lazy susan.  The Papadums themselves weren't warm and seemed to break almost too easily.

When the curries arrived it was a bit of a surprise.  Phil's Dhansak looked just like a Dhansak but initially they thought that Bob had been served with Strawberries and Cream.  In all the curry houses visited neither Phil nor Bob had ever seen a two-tone sauce.  Putting the surprise of the appearance aside, Bob tucked into his Butter Chicken and was delighted!  Phil also felt that his Dhansak was everything he expected with an excellent blend of flavours and texture.

Both Bob and Phil found the vegetables to be excellent too.  Phil thought the cream and sweetness to be a great foil for the Dhansak and both enjoyed the hint of coconut.  The only slight disappointment was the Bombay Aloo which both felt needed a little more salt.

The service couldn't really be faulted.  Polite & speedy but not rushed.  Bob and Phil were well looked after.  Phil was pleased to overhear a conversation between the staff and a regular customer and noted that the staff really seem to take the time to serve people and not just dish the food up.

It is worth stating at this point that on the evening visited, Tandoori Parlour was offering a deal of Starter, Main, Rice, Vegetable Dish & Naan for £11.95.  Bob & Phil partook of this deal but can only mark on the standard points below.

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

In total a table topping 87%  The Tandoori Parlour has proved the equal of the India Royal in Faversham and scored much higher than Darheeling Heights.  It is no wonder that it was very busy when Bob & Phil left.

The Tandoori Parlour is a hidden gem!  It took a few minutes to track it down but Bob & Phil were very pleased that they made the effort rather than revisiting either of the other two restaurants on the A2.  The meal was excellent value for money and Tandoori Parlour deserves to be as busy as it was this evening.

Singleton Tandoori & Balti House - Singleton

Tonight saw Bob and Phil delivering to Chilham.  Bob was keen to introduce Phil to a curry house that he had recently been to with other friends and, with a repeat visit to Canterbury being the only other option Phil jumped at the chance to try somewhere new.

Singleton Tandoori and Balti House is as its name suggests in Singleton on the outskirts of Ashford.  It is located in the Singleton Centre, a parade of shops with a suitably sized car park attached.

From the outside, the Restaurant is well signed and has a traditional look about it.  That traditional feel carries into the interior decor with only a flat screen TV showing Bollywood as a nod to modern times.

The (draught) Cobra arrived promptly and, unlike the last restaurant was undoubtedly Cobra!  Both Bob & Phil thought, however, that it could have done with being a bit colder.  The Papadums arrived shortly after and were a little disappointing as they were cold and also tasted of stale fat.  The dips, however, were very good with an interesting not very sweet mango chutney.

There was a short delay before the curries arrived.  Phil thought his Dhansak was well worth the wait; the flavour and texture of the lentils came through although there was a strong tomato taste.  Bob felt that his Butter Chicken was lacking a little bit of flavour although it was perfectly good.

The Vegetables were a slight let down.  Both the Muttar Paneer and the Bombay Aloo seemed to lack flavour.  Phil felt that the peas in the former had been overcooked as the characteristic sweetness that they give was lacking.

The service was excellent.  Very friendly and very smiley.  Phil was also impressed when he overheard one of the waiters recalling a special request from a customer from a previous visit (that customer was also impressed!)  Overall the restaurant has a friendly relaxed feel to it.

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

In total and above average 77 and high enough to put it into the top 20.

In recounting to Phil his previous visit (on Friday 20th Feb), Bob felt slightly disappointed as both his and Phil's experience of midweek curries vs weekend curries is that standards tend to slip when the weekend peak hits.  In this case it seemed to be the other way around.  Either way the residents of Singleton have a very good Curry House in their midst!

Badsha - Tenterden

Uncharacteristically, Bob & Phil planned ahead for tonight's delivery to Hawkhurst.  They were somewhat disappointed to find that their planned curry stop wasn't open.  Fearing the worst they headed for home and were relieved to discover Badsha in Tenterden.

Badsha is a traditional looking restaurant on West Cross (which is the A28).  There is plenty of on street parking nearby.  Nicely lit and decorated, the traditional look continues with beams a plenty throughout the dining area.

The (alleged) Cobras arrived promptly with a short wait for the Papadums, Neither Phil nor Bob had ever seen a pint of Cobra - bottled or draught - with an inch high head of froth.  It was also very gassy with torrents of bubbles and very un-Cobra like.  Bob queried whether it was Cobra and was re-assured that it was but Phil was far from convinced.  The Papadums were nice and warm but a couple were a little burned.

The curries were initially delivered to the wrong table!  When they were repatriated however, both were very pleasing.  Phil felt that his Dhansak was spot on.  There was a good balance of heat and sweet and the flavour and texture of the lentils came through nicely.  Bob enjoyed his butter chicken and it held his interest all the way through.

The rice was excellent, as was the muttar paneer.  There was a little disappointment with the Bombay Aloo.  It was a little cold and lacked seasoning.

The service was a little haphazard.  The greeting was pleasant but the waiters seemed a little harassed.  It was clear that there was a new waiter in training but the food was delivered to the wrong table,  The usual checks during the meal weren't there but orange segments were served with the napkins.

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

In total 74 an average score which could have been a top 10 score had it not been for the beer and the service!