Balti Triangle

[bitchstewie]

Anyone have any recommendations for somewhere decent in the Balti Triangle? Shabab and Al Frash sound decent but personal recommendations trump reviews.

[Noger]

I really like Al Frash.

Very intense flavours. Almost smoky.

[dapprman]

Been a while since I was last there but I normally always go to Royal Naim if I'm in the region around the right time. Worryingly it's not on Tripadvisor and a google for it only shows old reviews so perhaps it's closed in the last year so

[Dunclane]

Noger said:

I really like Al Frash.

Very intense flavours. Almost smoky.

I can confirm the above, this is where we always go, very very good!

[bitchstewie]

Sounds like Al Frash is worth a go then, thank you Now, never judge a book by its cover and all that, but that part of Brum never seems the nicest - any issues leaving cars etc? There are enough Mercs and Bentleys around to make me think it shouldn't be a problem but you never know.

[rich85uk]

been to Punjab paradise twice, both times very nice with a very distinctive smokey taste (i assume everything is cooked in some type of coal oven) service was not the best 2nd time round. always very busy though with 'locals' which is a good sign

as for parking rather you than me! not because of crime but it a rather chaotic area and never seems to be any parking, is a taxi an option?

[Noger]

Definitely agree about parking on Ladypool road, really busy.

As an alternative, Diwan on Mosley road is pretty good and parking is easier. It is the place that David Cameron came on his birthday ! They do a "balti combo" which is essentially two small balti dishes. Cute, but not quite as good as Al Frash.

Must try Punjab Paradise some time.

[Dunclane]

Another suggestion would be Sweet Chillies on the Yardley Wood Road in Billesley, very, very good!

http://www.sweetchillies.co.uk/

[mercfunder]

Noger said:

I really like Al Frash.

Very intense flavours. Almost smoky.

Highly recommend Al Frash.

[Noger]

mercfunder said:

Noger said:

I really like Al Frash.

Very intense flavours. Almost smoky.

Highly recommend Al Frash.

Am very tempted to go there tonight

[bitchstewie]

Noger said:

mercfunder said:

Noger said:

I really like Al Frash.

Very intense flavours. Almost smoky.

Highly recommend Al Frash.

Am very tempted to go there tonight

If you do please report back as we're likely to go that way tomorrow, it's just a question of where to go...

[mercfunder]

bhstewie said:

Noger said:

mercfunder said:

Noger said:

I really like Al Frash.

Very intense flavours. Almost smoky.

Highly recommend Al Frash.

Am very tempted to go there tonight

If you do please report back as we're likely to go that way tomorrow, it's just a question of where to go...

Don't forget to get some big bottles of Cobra from the Offie up the road.

[extraT]

Balti tranagle? Sounds like a lamb curry on a dairylea....

[Noger]

mercfunder said:

Don't forget to get some big bottles of Cobra from the Offie up the road.

Shut for refurb !

Longer trek the other way.

[bitchstewie]

Noger said:

Shut for refurb !

Longer trek the other way.

How was the food?

[Noger]

Well.....

Average 'Doms
Very nice and spicy sheek kebabs

Sadly I went a bit off piste with my main choice. Had heard that the Butter Chicken was pretty awesome (I am normally a jazlrezi type of a boy) so went for that and a Peshwari naan.

The butter chicken was made from pieces of Tandoori chicken thigh, very very tasty (but not all that hot) buttery sauce. Nice, but not quite what I had in my mind for a Balti. The naan had honey on top ! So effectively I got what I asked for, but it wasn't quite what I wanted. If that makes sense. Now have to go back again and have something a bit more "normal" !

It is Ramadan, so lots of places very busy post about 9pm.

[bitchstewie]

Noger said:

Well.....

Average 'Doms
Very nice and spicy sheek kebabs

Sadly I went a bit off piste with my main choice. Had heard that the Butter Chicken was pretty awesome (I am normally a jazlrezi type of a boy) so went for that and a Peshwari naan.

The butter chicken was made from pieces of Tandoori chicken thigh, very very tasty (but not all that hot) buttery sauce. Nice, but not quite what I had in my mind for a Balti. The naan had honey on top ! So effectively I got what I asked for, but it wasn't quite what I wanted. If that makes sense. Now have to go back again and have something a bit more "normal" !

It is Ramadan, so lots of places very busy post about 9pm.

Makes sense and thanks

How was it for parking and did you bother to book please?

[Noger]

bhstewie said:

Makes sense and thanks

How was it for parking and did you bother to book please?

Being Ramadan there were a lot of people about, and you might have to park in a back street if you can't get on Ladypool road.

Didn't book as arrived about 7:30. Not packed but got busier.

[Thankyou4calling]

I always go to Akbars on Hagley Road. It's a 160 mile round trip but I really enjoy it. Big, destination place. Quite "Bollywood" and good value too. They have a few other branches and started in Bradford.

[bitchstewie]

Well that was a piece of cake Turned up, parked easily 100 yards away and straight in. I wouldn't claim to know much about Indian cuisine but it was fking delicious and worth a return visit.

Had a bit of a walk afterwards and there are loads of place along there that I'd love to go in and try the food.