Having spent enough over the years on indifferent and or overpriced restaurant meals on new years eve, with the enforced jollity at midnight, we did something off target. After seeing the matinee of 'Made in Dagenham', I had booked dinner at 8pm in a local curry restaurant. I did this in the belief that most of the action would be in the more mainstream restaurants catering for those that wanted to celebrate NYE in a conventional way. I was wrong, and at that time on a Thursday night, albeit a big one for eating out, it was packed. For a suburban restaurant on a local parade, they must have loved it, but they did not take advantage of their customers.
The Radhuni used to be the Bekash, and to be honest we had not tried it since it opened two or three years ago. When passing it in the evening it never looked packed, but clearly there is a well deserved local following, which is reflected on TripAdvisor. There is a comprehensive web site giving information (some out of date) on http://radhunigb.co.uk/ . They were serving their normal menu at normal prices: all power to them for treating customers fairly. The menu is a mix of 'contemporary' (meaning not your standard curry and rice)
For starter, I had the Nawabi Kebab which is described in the menu as tender pieces of spring chicken, diced lamb and king prawns marinated in herbs and spices, barbequed in the clay oven.
What you cannot tell from this picture is that the dish was sizzling hot, and scores 9.5 on the CHOF scale. What I did not think of at the time is that what was served did not match the description on the menu, and the sauce, as other reviews have commented tastes a bit sweet like a sweet and sour dish. I have looked up Nawabi Kebab, and it is true, that this does not look like any Nawabi Kebab from a recipe or other menu. It was fine and tasty, and I did not have reason to complain except I am not a great lover of sweet and sour. Suffice it to say, it will remain a mystery as I would not order it again for sweet and sour reasons. Huge quantity.
For main, I had the CHEF’S SPECIAL BIRYANI of Basmati rice cooked with chicken tikka, lamb tikka, king prawn, mushrooms, peas, sultans (sic) and almonds.
This came with a medium vegetable curry. My wife asked for one that was a bit spicier, and they took her at her word. It was a bit too hot, but they did offer to replace. Huge quantities (we bagged and took away the remainder, which seemed to be the norm for the other customers) and hot (you can see the hotplate for the sauce in the background). It scored an acceptable 8 on the scale. When restaurants are full, you may have to tolerate the fact that things might have been standing around a little, but not too much. Very good and enjoyed subsequently as a take away. Interestingly, the prices on their takeaway menu are the same as the restaurant.
At the end of the meal, the hosts offered a complimentary NYE drink.
All in, it came to about £42 including a couple of beers, a raita and keema naan. Very fair. The staff were helpful and polite even though the place was full. I think we will be going there again, but will not be having the Nawabi Kebab.
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