Hi Graeme,  . The sort of places I refer to had names like, The Royal India. The Taj Mahal. The Royal Bengal. The windows were shaped like the Taj Mahal. A small wooden, glass fronted box displaying the menu on the wall outside. As you entered you were met by a friendly Indian chap, who would show you to a table and light a candle. From what I remember, it was either red or gold flock wallpaper. A picture or two of India hung on the walls. Indian music playing in the background. It was the mid 1970`s, and I was about 18, on the town, with the lads, and looking for something to soak up the beer. I realise it`s not what you would expect to find on a visit to India, but at the time it was an experience. That`s why we call them BIR`s, because they just cater for us Brits. I worked with some Indian/Pakistani guys, and during Ramadan the food they bought in {and shared with the English guys} was nothing like you would find in a restaurant.  BIR`s by me now have the names, The Cinnamon and The Tammarind... I rest my case....

Hi Andrew,  welcome to cr0. I too look forward to your input, fellow curry nut  ;D

I am beginning to wish I hadn`t mentioned the Robbie Williams thing  :-[ . There are two BIR`s local to me. The one that had RW music playing is sited next door to a pub, but is not licenced to sell drinks. So everyone stumbles out of the pub {cans and bottles in toe}and into the Indian. Nice clean place, very good food, friendly {all Indian} staff. I think they put the music on they think we want to here, after all it was one of our party that asked for some Xmas music  :-[ . The other one however, featured in the local newspaper on its grand opening. A large converted pub nice clean place, excellent food, friendly {all Indian} staff. No music. If you looked through the window when the place was empty, you wouldn't`t know it was a BIR. That was the point I was trying to get across. I preferred the old style restaurant with the Indian music with red flock wallpaper and candlelit tables. It was a taste of India.......mike.  ;D

Hi Lorien,  Happy New Year and welcome to the family. Look forward to hearing from you soon.  ;D

Christmas Eve, a group of us went on a local pub crawl. We ended up in the local BIR. We were the last ones in as the restaurant closed at 11 o.clock. I never really noticed the music or surroundings until after the meal, when one of our party asked the waiter if he had any "Christmas" music (as we were listening to Robbie Williams). Then it all came flooding back! I remember a time in the mid 70`s, when we had nights out and called in at the local BIR. A traditional Indian restaurant, with all the trimmings. With Indian music playing in the background, candlelit tables and red flock wallpaper. To me, all this made the evening special, "a taste of India" if you like.

Is it me, or is it more than just a good curry? Anyone else prefer the days when BIR`s had atmosphere rather than the "contemporary" style we have now?...mike.

Happy New Year to one and all. 

Just finished doing curry for six BIR style. Started actually cooking curries at 7:00pm, finished at 9:00pm. I was the last one to eat. Let us know how you got on.... ;D

Hi Mick,  Seasons Greetings and all the best for the New Year. Welcome to the family. Look forward to you input my friend..regards..mike  ;D

Hi mick,  If you are planning on cooking for ten, BIR style, you are going to be spending all evening in the kitchen cooking. However,I have posted an Authentic recipe here... https://curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=891.0 . You could do a couple of batches of this, with a bucket load of rice, and all be sitting down to a meal together.  ;D . Hope it helps... regards mike..  ;D

Nice one unclebuck,  I remember it well. I can recommend the Madras recipe a The Curryhouse. I have cooked it a few times now using jimmyja`s base sauce.... regards.mike  ;D

If anyone Fancy's a crack at it http://www.curryhouse.co.uk/rsc/madras.htm for the Madras. https://curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=772.0 for the base sauce. The only change I made was adding a couple of tablespoons of onion paste to start..mike..  ;D