Newbury's curry mecca, Where's best for banquets, beers and bhajis Options

[Bofem]

There seems to be a bit of a price war going on between the town's curryhouse firms.

I'm rather partial to these banquet nights (starter, main, side and rice/bread for £10), where you get to try all the different signature dishes, and you realise we've got quite a variety around here.

There's a few trying to differentiate too, serving different beers, western music etc. It's a far cry from the old days.

My top 3 are:

1. Gurkha Chef
2. Jaipur
3. Nawab

My bottom 3 are:
Rajastan
The Guru at Headley
The one that's replaced Ellora

[dannyboy]

No preference out of these three -

Indigo Bay, Gurkha, Jaipur


What we need is a new chinese restaurant.

[JeffG]

The one that's replaced Ellora

Have you eaten there? I was wondering what it was like since it is the first one I would come to walking into town. There was a restaurant there after Ellora called Laseez Affaire (or something similar - I never ate there) which got repossessed by the landlord. This one is a new venture.

You don't mention the Indigo thingy (Bay, Palace?) across the road - I have enjoyed eating there. (They also have a branch in Ham, where they took over the Crown and Anchor.)

[Richard Garvie]

Lucky's was tasty, but I was expecting something different from a "tapas" restaurant. They do a mean jalfrezi.

[biggus_richus]

Recently ate at Chilis, next to the station and found their menu refreshingly different. Enjoyed the food too and had the biggest tandoori prawns I've ever seen.

The Indian Lounge was good, and definitely warrants another visit, but was disappointed with Lucky's. May have been an off night, but my curry tasted burnt, and the service was so poor that at one point we considered phoning them up to get someone to stop by our table. As with RG, I was disappointed that being a tapas restaurant, it offered little different on its menu. Was hoping for something along the lines of Imli in London.

[dannyboy]

Yeah - Lucky's isn't tapas at all. Dunno why they call themselves a tapas joint, other than the fact 'roadside cusine' might put the punters off.

[biggus_richus]

Yeah - Lucky's isn't tapas at all. Dunno why they call themselves a tapas joint, other than the fact 'roadside cusine' might put the punters off.

That would positively pull me in...

[Guest_Bill1_*]

I prefer Chinese/Thai etc myself, although I know this puts me in the minority.

We used to have too many of them and now I feel we have a complete reversal, too many Indians, a happy medium of some of both to choose from would be ideal.

Also, dare I suggest, an English restaurant (and I mean restaurant rather than pubs that do food).

[Andy Capp]

I went to Lucky's when they first open and had a tapas. It was so-so. Went back a while later and had a Jalfrezi and that was good, all though a little more expensive than I'd expect.

I like Indian curries, but there is little that you can do to make the food 'different' without it not being what you would expect as a curry.

[Jacklets]

Gurkha Chef is our favourite, also like Jaipur (apologies in advance if any of these are spelt incorrectly!) and had a fantastic visit to The Indian Lounge - the best waiter ever and unexpected extras!

Agree with others about Luckys - wasn't quite what we expected and a tad overpriced compared to others.

I know it's out of town, but also like the one on New Greenham Park - however haven't been there recently and someone said it's not as good these days.

But it would be nice to see something other than the Italian chains and Indian restaurants in the town - but maybe I'm still sulking from an iffy visit to Prezzos earlier!

[Strafin]

The Indian Lounge and New Greenham Tandoori are owned by the same guy (or guys?) and I personally think they are the best two in Newbury. I have tried Chilli's by the station as well and was pretty impressed. The healthy style of cooking with no oil (even on poppadoms) seems to have a positive, rather than negative on their dishes. Great puddings too which is unusual for an indian.

[Rosewinelover]

What we need is a new chinese restaurant.

Totally agree

[Strafin]

You can go to Thatcham for that though.

[Rosewinelover]

Use to go there for years and I am bored of it now. Would be nice to have somewhere different to try, and in Newbury.

For me at the moment the Thai house in Newbury is fab, all though I know some of you don't think it is actually thai...I love it though

[Darren]

I like the Narwab.

Gone off the Gurkha since is opened. Last one was tasteless and really mean on the portions.

[biggus_richus]

...but there is little that you can do to make the food 'different' without it not being what you would expect as a curry.

I disagree to an extent, but wish it wasn't all about curry. Indian food is so much more than just meat/veg in spicy gravy with a bit of rice and it's a shame that any Indian restaurants that try to deviate from the norm a bit don't seem to last long. Would love to see a local Indian restaurant serving pani puri or maybe host a banquet night featuring more traditional food.

[pinkfluffyclouds]

What we need is a new chinese restaurant.

What about Chenz? We go there on a regular basis and for an eat as much as you like meal for £14 Sunday to Thursday and £16 Friday to Saturday I can't see how this can be beaten. The food is delicious and there is so much to select from. The waiters are friendly and very attentive and if you become a regular like we are they will even cook you food off the menu if you fancy something not on it.

If it is curry then it has to be Indian Lounge. Delicious food and the waiters are fantastic - especailly cheeky AJ !!!

[Sidney]

You can go to Thatcham for that though.

The ones in Thatcham haven't changed their set menu's for years it seems. Still Chili Beef, etc etc

[dannyboy]

I disagree to an extent, but wish it wasn't all about curry. Indian food is so much more than just meat/veg in spicy gravy with a bit of rice and it's a shame that any Indian restaurants that try to deviate from the norm a bit don't seem to last long. Would love to see a local Indian restaurant serving pani puri or maybe host a banquet night featuring more traditional food.

I agree - 'Curry' that is served in UK restaurants is an Anglo-Indian invention that does not really reflect Indian/Asian subcontinental food at all.

[Bofem]

Any new finds on the takeaway front? We use Oitijjo