Tipped

Vegetarians be warned!

October 08, 2008

I used to work round the corner from this East End institution and while all my friends placed it on their top ten curry houses in London, I have to say it doesn’t even come close to mine.

Maybe it’s because they serve up ‘curry’ rather than the food from the sub-continent. I’m a big fan of Pakinstani and Northern Indian food in general but I find the fare at Lahore pretty unpalatable. It’s too oily and doesn’t have the subtle flavours that this food should have.

Actually it tastes like an Indian takeaway, which is probably why I don’t like it as I am a complete food snob when it comes to Indian/Pakistani food. What can I say? Throughout my life I’ve been spoilt with lots of home cooking and trips out there.

However all my meat-eating friends say the kebabs are out of this world and even to a vegetarian they do look like the real deal. So if you’re up for lamb kebabs then I guess get thee to East London.

Keywords: kebab, pakistani, indian

Conflicted over Curries

October 07, 2008

I have a hard time picking my favorite between Lahore Kebab House and New Tayyab's. They are just a few blocks apart, and both serve very similar food at around the same price. So maybe I need to dissect this a bit more:

Ambiance: Tayyab's is definitely cooler looking, but it is so consistently crazy crowded and noisy that it is hard to enjoy the space. Lahore Kebab House is very plain and functional, but generally easier to get into, plus it has the advantage of feeling more like a local's secret. The service at Lahore Kebab House is definitely friendlier than at Tayyab's.

Price: For groups of 4+, both places are about the same and a total bargain. Tayyab's is great for smaller parties because you can order small sizes of the curries which lets you try more things (plus the small is almost as much as the large, so it is a good deal either way).

Naan: both places are kind of hopeless with naan for some reason, so don't bother.

Overall tastiness: A tie. Tayyab's has better lamb chops (albeit with less meat), Lahore Kebab House has better curries. Tayyab's makes incredible mango lassis that taste more like milkshakes, Lahore Kebab House makes a more traditional lassi that is also great.

In summary, I am always happy to eat at either place. They both have their strengths for sure. In the end I would probably choose Lahore Kebab House simply because it is mellower than Tayyab's, but then Tayyab's for lunch is a superb option too.

Keywords: cuisine: pakistani, kebabs, Curry, cheap eats

No lie, this is THE place for curry

September 26, 2008

You know you’ve landed in the right place when you’re the minority and there’s a queue out the door for a table (glad we booked). Lahore is set over 2 floors and it feels like you’re in a cafeteria; rows and rows of tables with loud people eating and laughing and waiters buzzing around you to keep up (and they do). But the food is what it’s all about. You don’t go here for the looks. It’s all about the meat. I don’t think I’d had Pakistani food before but I have to say it’s one of my new favourites. We started with a mixed grill or chicken, lamb and lamb keftas. IT was huge and our jaws were dropping at how much food came with the starter. And then they bring out the last plate of the mixed grill, lamb chops. And this was before we received any of our other dishes. Ouch! I knew I would be leaving in pain. We ate every last piece of the mixed grill which was deliciously seasoned with spices like I’ve never had. Hot but not too hot and it all melted in my mouth.

Already full, the rest of the meals came: 4 curries for 4 people. An okra curry which was my favourite and the most spicy; chicken curry, 2nd most spicy; lamb is a dark red sauce; and lamb chops in curry. Personally, I’m not a big rib or chop fan so had just a bite of one and stuck to the other 3. OUT OF THIS WORLD TASTY! I was so happy to be eating there. Everyone around us was happy too. It was happy food, although maybe slightly painful for those who don’t like a lot spice. If you do go to Lahore and I hope you do b/c you will not be disappointed, make sure to order the mixed grill. It’s a must. The flavours will make your mouth water. And with the curry, try the sweet Nan. It sounds funny, but the sweetness with the heat is a great compliment.

Possibly my best british curry

September 23, 2008

I've eaten a lot of curry in the UK. Being of Sri Lankan decent I always enjoy curry, but so far they never compare to (a) my mum's cooking or (b) curry on location in Sri Lanka.

But my Lahore experience delighted my taste buds and was my best UK curry experience ever. Whilst it is not the same as a Sri Lankan curry (yes I am biased), the grills and curries at Lahore Kebab House were AMAZING!

We order a mixed grill for 4 to start. Frankly we could easily have stopped there as it loads of food. The kebabs (lamb and chicken) were intensly spiced, whilst the lamb chops were tender and too delicious to eat like a lady - yep I was gnawing those chop bones all the way!!

But we decided to stretch our stomachs and ordered Karachi Chicken curry, Lamb Chop Curry, Tarka Daal and Bindi (Okra). I went for rice, our friends went for naan. The curries lived up to the standard set by the grills. The okra in particular was delicious, as was the lamb chop curry (Friday night special) which had a lovely rich sauce. The food was pretty spicey for the boys at our table - lots of huffing and puffing, and a sweaty brow or two, which amused me terribly.

In addition to the great food, the atmosphere is fab. The place was buzzing - canteen style seating, people packed in tight but a great rumble of folks enjoying their food, chatting and laughing. The queue at the front door is justified - and more impressive considering the size of the restaurant. Its spread over 2 floors - if you make a reservation you get to sit upstairs where they have paper tablecloths :)

And finally - it gets 5 stars from me because it is also great value. At £35 for two people and lots of food, it is cheap and very cheerful. So GO THERE - but beware the spice!

Keywords: curry; pakastani; east end

Heart of Pakistan

August 27, 2008

Thanks Austin! I went here on Fri with 3 friends and it was maybe the best Indian I’ve ever had, though not actually Indian I guess, but Pakistani. The mixed grill was awesome: lamb chops, lamb cutlets, chicken and koefta, could have just eaten that, but thought we should have some curry too ordered the lamb curry with okra, amazing; chicken tikka masala (don’t say it), also great; and instead of the veg dish we thought we ordered, had some lamb shank dish that looked terrible, but tasted really good. Prices were all ~ £6:00 - £7:00 and portions decent to generous.

Add some Peshawari nan and I can pretty much promise you will never eat on Brick Lane again.

Also was BYOB so pick up a few giant Kingfishers (or something better) from any nearby off license.

Keywords: curry, indian, pakistani

Snazzy witty title with playful pun

August 22, 2008

Always impressed with the food here. Mind you I've been 3 times and never got past the starters. Ask for mixed starters and wash it down with one of the best lassis i've had and if you need more than that you must be half polar bear...

Keywords: indian, pakistani, curry