PALOMA KUBIAK eats at Curry Mahal, 372 Northolt Road, South Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 8ES, 020 8864 7976
WITH a motto of 'your satisfaction is our reputation', my mother and I had high hopes for this curry house on Northolt Road, South Harrow, just outside of Ealing.
And, despite it being a real hassle to park the car nearby and the non-traditional PVC conservatory-looking entrance, we would definitely dine there again.
The staff were warm and welcoming upon our arrival and quickly seated us at a table by the window. We were right to book for Friday night as the restaurant was heaving with post-work colleagues and families catching up over a curry.
We ordered a prawn purri and aloo gobi to start with, after whetting our appetite with a couple of papadums, which came with the usual pickle, chutney, yoghurt and onion salad mix in a spinning silver platter.
The prawn purri, at £3.60, was a flat bread topped with spiced prawns, tomato paste and fresh herbs and was a delicious, light starter, complimented by a squirt of the lemon wedge on the plate. My mother's aloo gobi, potato and cauliflower dish at £3.60 was cooked to perfection, with the sautéed vegetables retaining a crispness and the spice was easy on the palate.
For my main, I ordered a Sylhet special, a dish originating from a province of north Bangladesh, which is best know for its tea gardens.
The lamb pumpkin at £7.50 was flavoursome, a little hot - the way I like it - and packed with flavours which were infused in the meat and adding to its unique appeal.
Being a real fusspot with lamb, I did find some chunks a little fatty, but the size of the portion thoroughly made up for this minor quibble and the dishes were all beautifully presented, topped with fresh herbs.
My mum, a creature of habit when it comes to curry, ordered her usual of lamb vindaloo, which was a very modest £5.80.
She said it was tender, each chunk bursting with spices, showing the meat had been marinated, not just cooked in the hot sauce.
We also ordered a side dish of sag paneer, soft cubed cheese and spinach in a naughty but nice rich sauce. Although I couldn't finish my mains, we were tempted by the desserts and I opted for the chocolate mousse, which was cool, creamy and very moreish and my mum ordered the orange sorbet, which was more creamy than icy and was scooped into an orange peel shell.
With the fading sun outside and the dimmed lighting in the clean and modern restaurant, everyone seemed to be enjoying their curries in the company of friends and relatives and we were surprised at how fast the evening had passed us by.
Our bill came to £46 for papadums, two starters, two mains, a side dish, two puddings, two beers and a coke, and we have firmly pinned the menu to our noticeboard for the next time we fancy a good takeaway.
