Indian food has been long established in Yorkshire as one of the most popular and successful cuisines. We all love a curry, whether of the mild, creamy type or of a more fiery, challenging character. As Indian dining has become more established in Yorkshire it has also become more sophisticated and varied. A new generation of regional Indian dishes now feature on Yorkshire menus, using the fresh ingredients, herbs and spices which give them the wow factor and make our taste buds demand a return visit to our favourite Indian restaurant time and time again.
Deeva
June 2010
I MAY have discovered my favourite
curry house. Deeva, on Town
Street, Farsley, is the newest
addition to Leeds’s curry scene,
which, let’s face it, is a mixed bag.
Did the area need another curry house?
Probably not when the likes of Abid’s, East
and Polash are just around the corner in
Pudsey. Does it add anything to the scene?
Most definitely, yes.
Atri
May 2010
Little Oliver that
popped into Atri to sample the
delights of the subcontinent, here
smack bang in the heart of
metropolitan Chapel Allerton in
north Leeds.
Fortunately I dined with a friend
of mine whose parents are
Indian, so she knew her stuff and
she was impressed by the array
of very real Indian food on the
menu – the kind of options you
won’t find on offer in your
average curry house.
Abid's
A glimmering,
glass-fronted curry emporium with
hints of elegance. It’s not Abid’s fault
that it jars somewhat with its immediate
surroundings. The owners have clearly attempted
to create a relaxed mood for diners.
Situated in an isolated row of shops
which include a pizza
takeaway, it
stands
directly opposite what is possibly a landmark in
Stanningley: Polash, another curry house but one
whose roots run somewhat deeper.
Bollywood Lounge
FANS of Skippy the Bush
Kangaroo may want to look
away now.
Having said that, I make no apologies for
my choice.
Franky, I defy anyone to not be at least
the tiniest bit curious about how a
marsupial-based Indian meal might
taste.
After all, it’s not something that crops up
on your average Indian menu but then,
Bollywood Lounge in Wakefield isn’t your
average Indian
Curry Lounge
ADMITTEDLY it wasn't quite what we expected to find on the menu - but I must confess we were intrigued
nevertheless.
There it was - in black and white - 'Aborigine, cooked in clay oven.' After feeling the full force of the imperial jackboot ever since Captain Cook landed at Botany Bay nigh on 250 years ago you would think Australia's indigenous people were due a bit of a break.
Aagrah Bradford
WEST Yorkshire is
becoming a land of mini
curry empires.
From Akbar’s to Mumtaz, there’s a
string of restaurant chains serving
up quality Indian food across the
county.
One of the best known is Aagrah and
now it’s set to become even better
known as it has got the Royal seal of
approval.
Aagrah
It's renowned for being one of the best chain of Indian restaurants in our region after starting life in Shipley in 1977.
And after a series of hearty recommendations, Oliver decided to sample the delights of its city centre outlet in St Peter's Square, Quarry Hill.
Cafe Guru
THE approach to Café Guru is rather tantalising. The building itself is a pretty generic glass fronted affair, exactly the sort of newbuild you’d expect to find on The Calls in Leeds these days. But between the white drapes which hang in the windows are sizeable glimpses of the unconventionally chic interior.
East
When East Bar Lounge Grill first opened in Pudsey just over a year ago it stood out like a sore thumb. Who would have thought of shoehorning what is essentially a curry house into a building you would otherwise drive past and think was a carpet showroom?
Mango Vegetarian Restaurant and Cafe
As soon as you set foot inside Mango it’s clear this is no ordinary
Indian restaurant. There’s none of the flock wallpaper and dodgy
carpets people still often associate with your bog standard curry house and none of the dishes most diners would expect to be served.
Westbourne Spice
Curry houses used to have a ubiquitous style of interior design. There was the flock wallpaper, velvetcovered seating and Taj Mahalstyle furniture. This was accompanied by a soundtrack of
twangy sitar muzak. That’s all changed now as the old-style curry houses have become bang up-todate.
Zouk
Zouk is an award-winning restaurant and it won't let you forget it. The Tea Bar and Grill has twice won the Best Restaurant Out of Leeds in the Yorkshire Evening Post's Nightlife Awards and these wins are boasted in an immense banner hung from buildings adjoining the restaurant on Leeds Road, just inside Bradford.
Akbars
Bibi's, formerly on Greek Street, Leeds is a hard act to follow. But those curry kings from Bradford, Akbars, have taken up the challenge and opened their second city-centre establishment on the site.
Bird By Vineet
CLARENCE DOCK OLIVER wouldn't usually choose to dine at a casino. After all, gambling joints aren't exactly known for their haute cuisine.
But when the entertainment centre in question cost £13m, and the restaurant menu is put together by a Michelin-starred chef, one is prepared to make an exception.
India, The Restaurant
IF you ever find yourself in Manchester and in urgent need of a good curry, a friendly local, provided you can find one, will probably tell you to head to Rusholme.
This bustling, student-heavy suburb - a bit like a bigger version of Headingley only with fewer noisy bars - is home to the legendary Curry Mile, a neon-lit boulevard boasting the largest concentration of Asian restaurants in the UK.
