East Lancashire Road (A580)
Windle
St Helens
Merseyside
WA10 6XY
01744 751352
Quick update for you. Went again last night with Mark (one Trick Pony) and Mr and Mrs Al. Three of us had the Mixed starter which was a bowlful of tandoori meats. Large, succulent, nicely presented and great to eat.
We then went on to have all sorts of mains. I had a Lamb chilli which wasn't as hot as I expected but very red and very good to eat. Al had chicken jalfrezi which I had a pinch of and can guarantee that it was really spicy and tasty but kicked you when you didn't expect it, hence, big Al sweating like a young boy buying his first condoms. More sweat from Mark who enjoyed his quite hot lamb madras.
Last, but definately not least, Mrs Al, who had a chicken peshwari, or passanda, I think. Whatever it was, she loved it, commenting on the agreeable lack of ghee and a delightful sauce. Mr and Mrs Al even suggested that this is now top of the chart in the area, better even than The Arena. I disagree, but the gap is closing.
Not the prettiest location sat on the A580 as it bypasses St Helens on the way to Liverpool but an amazing transformation when you go inside. It's all leather and chunky wooden tables. Very pleasing to the eye. The waiters are very smart and friendly. The kitchen is open to the restaurant and next time I'll try sitting so I can watch them cook.
I got there early and was delighted to be offered the Table Douce Menu which is any starter, any main course (with steamed rice or plain naan) and any ice cream, all for £13.00 per head. Steak and fish dishes are excluded as well.
The menu is small but covers all taste requirements. Pops were little bitesize fellas and the pickles were standard without excelling. Nice change I suppose. I went for a prawn chat puri starter which was exquisite. The prawns were large and fresh, the sauce not as hot as I thought it might have been, but tasty and the puri very light and crumbly. Lovely. For main I ordered chicken tikka with onions and pineapple and a medium hot sauce. This was accompanied by a plain naan which turned out to be a little dry (more ghee next time please). The curry sauce was a tiny bit too watery and just below a madras in heat. Very good flavour and I found that mixing different bits let me try out very different tastes. From Dhansak, thru Dopiaza and on to Madras all from one dish.
Give this place a go. The waiters are very nice, the decor is superb and the food is very good. Just over the £20 mark including one beer. Go between 5 and 7pm Monday to Thursday for the special (and Sunday 2 till 5pm). If not take out a big overdraft because it aint cheap without the special deal. 10% service charge added as well.
