I concur with Clod.
The best way to start is the cheapest - go for the Special, and if necessary write down what you like and don't like. That way you can start ordering off the menu if/ when you go again. If your visits are infrequent it can be baffling next time.
Do look up the dishes to check their individual attributes though. If you have a problem with a specific dish (as I see they don't allow substitutions - the meanies) then it might be worth putting together your own menu.
Noteable (ie missing) exceptions: Shami Kebab, Prawn on Puri, Onion Bhaji as starters, any Bhuna or Balti or dish containing pineapple as mains and Keema Naan as a side. They're staples here.
Impressed by the level of description and prevelance of onion and tomato based dishes.
But the standard spelling mistakes/ difference in spelling of dish between one section and another are there. That is very authentic!
The breads are also more wide ranging than a typical Southern (England) Indian.
Don't be put off by the description of Gulab Jamon btw.
If you have a sweet tooth you will love it.
It's two dense, sticky, spongy balls in syrup. Very, very similar to Golden Syrup over here. My sweet-toothed ex adored it. Panir (paneer) is a cheese, technically. But not a cheesy cheese. Most like tofu, in that it treads the line between savoury and sweet.
If I were to put together a meal I would be eating with you (and therefore totally biased towards my tastes) we would have:
- A Mixed Platter to start
- Parpadumms x 2 (spellings vary)
- Side dishes of Raita, Hot Pickles and Mango Chutney (for the poppadoms - think of them as chips & dips)
- Nan and Garlic Nan (figure one nan a person, but I'll be leaving you to trough the poppadoms)
- Dal Makhani as a side, though I'll be asking for Tarka Dal (with garlic)
- Aloo Choley as a side
- Chicken Jalfrezi
- Chicken Tikka Masala (a dish specifically created for the British market)
- Plain Rice
As I said, the above reflects my personal view, but although I never order Chicken Tikka Masala if I was choosing purely for myself, it's a useful gateway dish to newbs. And poppadoms and pickles are also a good start (they are quite expensive on that menu though).
Bear in mind my suggested menu was for three people.
I usually have a starter, a main and a naan if alone.
I'm not a fan of rice or poppadoms. At least not enought to pay for them!
I love the vegetable sides, but would only order if I was able to share one.
Indians & Pakistanis are like Irish mothers - they really want to feed you.
Most people I know order
far too much in British Indian restaurants.
I can only imagine how much bigger portions would be in America!
You'll just have to suck it and see.
Finally, thanks for letting us share this experince/ poke our noses in!
PLEASE take a camera. For the food even if you prefer not to show yourselves.
And I'm so seething with jealousy you could cook a chapatti on me right now - I'd love to be there with the two of you when it happens
