Topic: Restaurants and TAs in and near Warrington

[rshome123]

Hi all,

Thought I'd start a thread for those in or near the North West area.  I've had food from a lot of different BIR places here over the years (shame the Hilal here has closed down).

Although I've not bought a curry here for a year (since cooking own), let's discuss various ones.

From memory I've been to...

Tayef Balti (Warrington) TA
British Raj (Warrington) TA
Jihan Restaurant (Walton)
Jihan TA (Grapenhall)
Bilash TA (Latchford)
Hilal Restaurant (Stockton Heath - now closed)
The Cottage Restaurant (Warrington)

Mixed results, and differing experiences based on which dish / staff etc

Would be very interested to hear opinions on these or any others around.

[JerryM]

rshome123,

well pleased to find a fellow warrington curry fan.

of the list i like the Bilash and Hilal.

my fav TA used to be Yarana but their restaurant closed and the transferred chef seemed to mess up the TA food and i stopped going.

the Lakila is my fav restaurant (and TA) and has been for many years. it's related to the Hilal.

ps the Hilal in Stockten Heath is may fav restaurant of all time. was devastated when it moved from it's original place - what a place. it was never the same after that.

very best wishes,

jerry

[rshome123]

Hi Jerry,

Nice to meet you too.  I have never tried either of the two you first mentioned.  Think I must try the Lakila sometime ... How is it connected to the Hilal?  If their Chicken Madras is anything like the ?hilal's  I will be very happy.  It's a shame hilal stockton Heath closed.. The only one left is in Timperley, but at least my girlfriend lives there.

Feel a little guilty about using TAs considering I can cook my own.  Haven't had one for a long time. 

Are you an experienced BIR cook?  I've been doing it for just under a year.

Richard

[JerryM]

Richard,

i think the chefs are related (brothers) and the manager of Lalkilla was at the Hilal too. If you visit Lalkilla go for the Vindaloo as it's same as the madras but just a touch nicer and not hot like you would expect a "vindaloo". the off bone tandoori chicken is a fav too.

How does the Timperley "grandeur" compare with that of the original Corner location of the Hilal. the high ceilings, staff friendliness, totally relaxing (no push) and of course the food made it heaven for me.

i still love TA's and eating out.

this site has sorted me 100% on my BIR cooking. my interest now being on gaining understanding of it all and perhaps cracking a few more mains.

it's the enormous effort in the prep that i struggle with along with an increasing resistance within the family to try new.

[rshome123]

I haven't been to the Timperley Hilal for many years (I used to live in that neck of the woods), and I understand it's been recently renovated.  It used to have a very 70's feel to it... you know the low lighting, dark colours, strange wallpaper etc.  It was nothing like the Hilal at Stockton Heath Victoria Square or Walton Road.

I'm over in Timperley this afternoon for a BBQ, so I will pop in for a look.

 

[rshome123]

Had a takeaway from the Lakilla tonight... Chicken Pakoras, Beef Vindaloo, Peshawari Naan.

I must say the Vindaloo was very good indeed, and as you said Jerry, different from what you'd expect. 
Nice and dark, smooth, rich savoury flavours, not too bitter.  It reminded me of the Hilal Madras / Vindaloo dishes. 
Recipes being shared within the family perhaps?

Pakoras weren't anything special. Soggy, and the chicken was tough. Naan was good, as expected.

I found the Lakilla to be a weird kind of place, 70s decor etc (but I mean that in a good way). 
Prices are reasonable. I don't think there is a discount for TA.  The 3 course deal (?10 Sat/Sun,  ?7-8 Weekdays)
seems like a good deal, although it's not the kind of place you'd take someone on a first date (if you know what I mean).

I had a brief chat with (who I presume was) the owner who confirmed there is family connection
to the Hilal, but he didn't give any more details, except that he worked at the Victoria square Hilal many many years ago. 
I bet I could have walked in there 20 years ago and the food and decor would have been identical. 

I'll definitely be going back for a very occasional lazy day TA, when I can't be bothered cooking one myself.

Wonder what the Madras is like.

[JerryM]

rshome123,

glad you tried the place and met Ronni.

the madras is almost identical to the vindaloo but a little less hot and not quite the depth of flavour.

as you say not take anyone on 1st date. in fact it's quite a bone of contention in our household which is best: curry pedigree or dazzling ambiance.

for me just paid 45 pound for dazzling ambiance which my good lady was well pleased with. needless to say as a result cooked base on saturday night for a week of proper curry.

[rshome123]

Jerry... Thanks for recommending this gem of a place.