Curry Recipes Online

Curry Chat => Lets Talk Curry => Topic started by: joshallen2k on December 16, 2024, 09:42 PM

Title: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: joshallen2k on December 16, 2024, 09:42 PM
Hi All - been many years since I've posted but I'm going to be in London for a few days travelling from Canada, and looking for some BIR recommendations. Not fancy ones, but proper old style ones who do it closer to the 70's and 80's style. Willing to travel a bit for what I'm looking for, so "Central London" is a guideline. Appreciate any and all input!
Title: Re: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on December 16, 2024, 11:29 PM
I really wish I knew, J2K.  There was a time when I would swear by the Agra in Whitfield Street, but it's now owned by the next generation and seems to have completely lost the plot.  Over to others, I'm afraid.
--
** Phil.
Title: Re: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: joshallen2k on December 17, 2024, 03:01 AM
Thanks Phil. Appreciate the effort. Hoping someone else can help out an original curryhead.
Title: Re: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: mickdabass on December 17, 2024, 08:48 AM
Hi Josh
Nice to hear from you after all this time.
Good Luck and Seasons Greetings
Regards

Mick
Title: Re: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: jb on December 17, 2024, 11:08 AM
Can only tell you where not to go....Brick Lane...went there some time ago and it was seriously not good at all.......
Title: Re: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on December 17, 2024, 11:48 AM
Of course, if you can manage to get down to Cornwall, I can give a 100%-confidence recommendation for the chicken curry in Moonlight Tandoori, Lostwithiel.  That really is just like going back to the 70's — sheer perfection (and a very friendly, older-generation, run establishment to boot).  BYOB, as the owners are Muslims and therefore do not serve (but permit) alcohol.
Title: Re: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: Kashmiri Bob on December 17, 2024, 03:26 PM
Read a while back that a curry house on Brick Lane was shut down. Too many dead mice in the kitchen. An oriental cockroach was also found, alive and kicking. Apparently they are on the large size.

I was in London earlier this year. Nearly tried a curry place in King's Cross, but the classic dishes, bhuna, madras etc were on the "Boring but Delightful" section of the menu. Didn't fill me with confidence, so I ducked out.   

Rob
Title: Re: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: joshallen2k on December 17, 2024, 04:25 PM
Hi Josh
Nice to hear from you after all this time.
Good Luck and Seasons Greetings
Regards

Mick

You too Mick!
Title: Re: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: joshallen2k on December 17, 2024, 04:26 PM
Can only tell you where not to go....Brick Lane...went there some time ago and it was seriously not good at all.......
That's too bad, I was thinking the old curry houses on Brick Lane would have been a safer choice.
Title: Re: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: joshallen2k on December 17, 2024, 04:27 PM
Of course, if you can manage to get down to Cornwall, I can give a 100%-confidence recommendation for the chicken curry in Moonlight Tandoori, Lostwithiel.  That really is just like going back to the 70's — sheer perfection (and a very friendly, older-generation, run establishment to boot).  BYOB, as the owners are Muslims and therefore do not serve (but permit) alcohol.
Oh that is so tempting... but alas Cornwall is just too far given my limited time in the UK this trip.
Title: Re: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: joshallen2k on December 17, 2024, 04:28 PM
Read a while back that a curry house on Brick Lane was shut down. Too many dead mice in the kitchen. An oriental cockroach was also found, alive and kicking. Apparently they are on the large size.

I was in London earlier this year. Nearly tried a curry place in King's Cross, but the classic dishes, bhuna, madras etc were on the "Boring but Delightful" section of the menu. Didn't fill me with confidence, so I ducked out.   

Rob
Yes I've noticed pursuing many menus that the "Classics" - which is what I'm looking for, are resigned to a footnote on many menus in favour of Chef's specials. I get it these guys feel they need to differentiate menus, be more modern and all, but that's not what I'm looking for.
Title: Re: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on December 17, 2024, 09:59 PM
Unless you want your curry made with chicken tikka, best to avoid all chicken "chef's specials", IMHO.
--
** Phil.
Title: Re: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: tempest63 on December 18, 2024, 05:41 AM
I don’t believe the old school BIR exist anymore.
Certainly not in Central London. The high Street curry houses are a pale imitation of the many places I visited in the 70’s and 80’s.
Out of choice now I would look at the Lahore kebab houses around the Aldgate/Whitechapel areas or more likely I would visit anyone of the Dishoom chain that are located throughout London.
Title: Re: Old School BIR recommendations in Central London
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on December 18, 2024, 09:46 AM
Yes, certainly agree that Lahore (I forget whether Lahore One or Two) in Commercial Road does superb kebabs, and has hand-washing facilities within the restaurant (i.e., not in the toilets) indicating that they attract a significant number of Muslim diners.  For me, their pièce de résistance is their kebabs :  I have almost zero experience of their other dishes (apart from their chapati, of course !).
--
** Phil.