Hey! I'm not taking anything away from them

Just explaining why they have gas-fired ones to panpot. It isn't change for change's sake. Just convenience.

In all countries where they cook on open fires, they probably wouldn't if gas or electric were freely and cheaply available

A proper tandoor gets hot while it is firing up, stays hot while it is in use, smokes, explodes or cracks if it gets wet, is potentially dangerous (an open fire), and makes a hell of a mess because of the ashes. On top of that, using one for reasons other than necessity isn't earth-friendly (charcoal costs a fortune over here for what it is and has to come from somewhere).

That's why they make gas-fired ones

Yes, you can buy them (tandoors of all types) over here:

eBay seller #1
eBay seller #2

http://www.tandooriq.co.uk/healthandsafety/healthandsafety.html
http://piers.thompson.users.btopenworld.com/background.html
http://www.barbecue-online.co.uk/acatalog/BBQ_Shop_Nipoori__Charcoal_BBQs_54.html

Found these details elsewhere:

Dowd Tandoori. 020 89044477 (Clay Tandoori ovens).

Tandoori Clay Oven Co Ltd. 020 88962696

The same goes for salt - it is a major flavour enhancer and curries need a lot to taste 'right'.

I remember when I was at school, someone (a lab technician) had this story about how he had put a 'thimble full of absolute alcohol' in a teachers tea and they had been drunk as a result. In fact, a typical pint of beer contains way more alcohol than that. He just didn't realise that and assumed that absolute alcohol was somehow magically potent.

People sometimes tend to think of oil as if one tablespoonful will make you put on a stone overnight - when you probably get more per day from eating bread and other things than you would from a curry.

Although my question was mainly 'what kind of decor do you prefer?' and not specifically 'do you think it affects the food?', I'm a bit surprised that some people think the environment doesn't add or take away from the experience

When I saw that, I suddenly thought of all those boring folk who go to Spain or wherever and then come back as though they're the only people ever to have experienced tapas, Greek salad, paella, and so on. And if you point out to them you've eaten it, it is clear that the one they had was exceptional and much better than yours.

Therefore, I would conclude that environment and ambience must be a factor (large or small depending on the individual) somewhere along the line.

I mean, even here people strive to make the curry look right (bright red Tandoori etc.) when it adds nothing to the flavour.

Just some thoughts

These may help, panpot:

http://www.tandooriq.co.uk/aboutus/aboutus.html

http://www.barbecue-online.co.uk/barbecue_equipment/bbq_grill_manufacturers/nipoori_charcoal_barbecue_grill.htm

...I forgot the music. Yes, you're right.

What do you expect when you eat at a typical Indian restaurant?

I prefer the classic style, with flock wallpaper, high-backed wooden chairs with upholstered seats, heavy tables placed together as needed to seat varying numbers of people, carpets, subdued lighting, and so on.

Near me there was one restaurant which had just that, and the food was excellent. But they had a second restaurant a short distance away which was much brighter and had those horrible round aluminium tables with matching chairs that screeched when you moved them. Whenever I ate there, I think the food was not as good - but I reckon the atmosphere had a lot to do with it as well.

The trouble is they refitted the main one in the same style: it was like a public lavatory lit by floodlights inside. Really ruined it.

So what do you like?

Over here, I don't think 'chippy' has a bad meaning

Apart from a chip shop, it is also a slang term for a carpenter or someone who works with wood.

Try one of the recipes - start with the Bruce Edwards one. Then use it to make a curry, not forgetting to use fried onions and plenty of garlic/ginger puree when making the curry.

Then report back what the house smells like - especially after you go out and then come back in again.

You'll see what I mean

Don't get carried away, guys - it is merely supposed to restore normal function, not provide extra capability where there was never any before