Cafe Balti -
Summary
“Can you write the review?”, asked a committee member, about 4 beers in to the evening as we had just been seated at our table. “err, ok then”, I replied thinking this isn’t going to be the best review on the site but here goes...
Let’s take a little step back in time – It’s Friday evening, a curry night is in the offing, schedules met, lifts arranged and evening out pass paid for in numerous promises to **decorate/go shopping/mend that dripping tap in the kitchen (**delete as appropriate). So it was off to Wolverton to the Cafe Balti via the The North Western pub.
Quite a large selection of beers on tap and the dozen or so members went for an eclectic selection of their finest. No one beer stood out and most people seemed to enjoy the ‘proper boozer’ aspect rather than arty mirrors and dried flower arrangements. There was a ‘singer’ on that evening who was quite good (and when I say good I mean not very good at all) but that didn’t seem to effect anyone’s elbow bending ability.
At the prescribed time we slunk off through the side streets to the Cafe Balti which I would never have come across by accident. We seated ourselves and we were soon expecting our drinks order to be taken. I think it’s fair to say a menu isn’t usually needed for this stage of the evening. However, we did seem to be sat here a little longer than you would normally expect. Drinks orders were eventually taken and a quick mention goes to the fact that they had Bangla – always a pleasure for me. The menus arrived and we spent the next few minutes perusing. The menu seemed quite comprehensive and had again, which seems to be becoming the norm, dishes that I did not recognise but sounded appealing. I settled for the vegetable samosa starter and “Nepali” for a main course. I fancied something hot (which is not the usual) and this sounded like it hit the mark. As I started to panic that I may have bitten off more than I could chew heat wise, I was reassured by one of the others they were happy to share if it did prove to be industrial strength. The menu had good descriptions and indicated heat with a number of chillis scoring system. The usual selection of sides and rices were ordered and I was convinced by the bloke opposite me to have the garlic chilli naan.
Pompadoms and pickles were served and as I remember, ticked all the right boxes. The reappearance of the bright red chutney thing is happening more and more, though it is hard to resist.
“Have I overdone it on the hot stuff?” I was wondering as I supped my Bangla, just as the starters arrived.
I didn’t quite remember to ask the others how their starters were, as I had my head down scoffing for England. The starters were finished and the main meal was produced and served on to heated service plates. I got the usual spoonful of everything I could lay my hands on and tucked in. It is fair to say that this, for me, this place was an enigma. Never before have I experienced such a difference between starter and main course. For me the starter was average, bland and difficult to praise in anyway other that it wasn’t horrible. However, the Nepali was possibly the best curry I have ever tasted. Definitely the most tender chicken I have ever had and probably on the lower hot side of the 3 chilli rating but absolutely delicious, sauce not too thick, plenty of coriander and not overly tomatoey(!?).
I was pleasingly full, after the usual sweep up of spare leftovers and more Bangla
-
Overall impressions were good, though we did seem to get off to a slow start. I would certainly go again as service for 12 can be a little slower than service for 2 – 4. The variety in the menu also appeals as an opportunity to try new dishes which could just become your new favourite!
Common Curry -
Web site -
Other Comments
Positive:
- A decent ambiance with piped music
- The menu is a little complicated but most dishes are on there if you study it hard enough
- Prawn Puree starter very tasty
- Lamb chops tender but a little salty
- Cafe Murgh Masala chicken, tender with a brilliant, subtle flavour
- All main courses chosen by the members seemed to be of high quality and good sized portions
- Chicken Napali wa sparticularly good if you like it hot
- Vegetarian Chana Dhansak very tasty
- Very good Lamb Bhuna ordered at Madras strength
- Balti Chicken Rogan excellent
- Excellent Aachari chicken
- Very good Aloo Sag
Negative:
- Didn't greet us well or show us to our table
- The table was not prepared, missing side plates and napkins -
we did book! - Drinks order was slow as were the popodums arrival
- Bangla was not cold, had to insist on a cold one
- Service was generally laboured throughout the evening, no smiles either
- Some dishes were too salty
- Lime pickle bland and 'thick'
- Chana Chat puree chewey and average
- Five onion bhajees for strater but they were cold and not in the advertised dip
- Nan was a bit doughy
Prev Review
Next Review