Phil - thanks for your comments. It would not do for all of us to like the same things of course - but I personally think the curries are delicious at Lahore (1). As for being overpriced it may be the case; I don't remember how much they were individually last time I went, though the overall bill was reasonable enough, certainly compared with Brick Lane. Looking back over my comments they might have been a bit harsh on Tayaabs' curries and Lahore's kebabs - both are fine, but I think they respectively do the opposite one better, if you see what I mean 

I'd have a grilled starter and a curry main no matter which I was eating at. In fact, what a good excuse to go back to each to check whether my opinion has changed!!!

Funnily enough, my wife HATES Lahore. She won't go there. I don't know what it is and she can't, or won't, give me a specific reason why she doesn't like it, but if we are going out, say, with friends for a curry she'll either not go or have the venue changed. Which is a real shame in my opinion as I like it.

George - yes, both Lahore and Tayaab's are of Pakistani origin, as are most Bradford curry places. I find Bangladesh-style curry too sweet for my tastes though that's obviously entirely subjective personal opinion! Definitely give Zaza's a try - the staff are pretty good and the food has been awesome every time I've been. If you get off the tube at Whitechapel, cross over and turn right, it's on your left hand side before you get to the East London Mosque. I don't normally "do" lassi but this is one place I make an exception.

Garp - personally - and again - massively subjective personal opinion - I can tell a massive difference between curries influenced from different areas - Bangladeshi-style being sweeter and with bigger pieces of meat and more sauce than Pakistani-style, which tends to be drier, sour-er and with smaller pieces of meat (which in my mind gives a higher surface area for the flavour to absorb bur in my wife's puts doubt in her mind as to the authenticity of the advertised meat - as Phil rightly says you can't please everyone!!!) Given that India has a population in excess of 1bn and neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh are in India, it's reasonable that there'll be a fair bit of variation between the different regions and, of course, different cooks/chefs.

Even though my preference is for Pakistani-style Indian curries - probably because that's what I'm used to from growing up in Bradford - it's not to say I like every single Pakistani-style curry house, restaurant and takeaway...quality varies massively and in some curry houses, like the Kashmir in Bradford (possibly my favourite ever curry place on a good day) it can vary day to day.

Slightly off the subject of Indian food if you're into grilled meats you can do an awful lot worse than Ariana, on Midlothian Road - just off Burdett Road - near Mile End station. It's a Persian/Afghan place and the aubergine starter with mint and yogurt is fabulous...if there's two or more of you grab a mixed grill. It's BYO, staff again are fantastic and they know how to cook meat! Apologies if it's poor etiquette to discuss anything other than BIR here.

Hi

There is a curry restaurant very near Kings Cross and S. Pancras stations called Kings Cross Tandoori. Unfortunately, I have never been to it and cannot vouch for its quality.

As a Bradford lad by birth, I am used to curries of a Pakistani, rather than Bangladeshi, origin - most of the 'Indian' restaurants in London are run by people of Bangladeshi origin. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but it's essentially a different product to what I'm used to.

I have no idea how long you have to spend in London, but if you have the time, I'd suggest heading east. Forget Brick Lane...I've never been anything other than massively disappointed every time I've visited - and have visited at least ten times.

There are three places I'd recommend.

Tayaab's (nearest tube: Whitechapel)
Lahore - a bit of a pain to get to on public transport -nearish Limehouse DLR (Northen line to Bank, change for DLR, then a reasonable walk)
Zaza's (nearest tube: Whitechapel)

There's no clear winner out of the three - grilled meats (Kebabs,wings, chops) are excellent at Tayaab's with curries arguably sub-par. The opposite's true at Lahore. My personal favourite is Zaza's - also apparently the favourite of controversial Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman - for the closest approximation of a "Bradford Curry" I've found London-wise.

None of these restaurants serve alcohol. Tayaab's and Lahore both let you bring your own (and off-licences are nearby them both). I don't know whether Zaza's does or not - every time I've been there I've settled for their excellent mango lassi and never bothered to ask if we could bring booze.

To get to the east end via the Hammersmith & City line you're looking at north of 30 minutes each way from King's Cross, but well worth it if you have the time, in my opinion.

Cheers!