chutney or curry (Chutneys)

Member Name: Cheuk

Product:	Chutneys
Date:	05/06/01 (139 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good range of cuisine, Delicous food

Disadvantages: Small portions, Not very friendly, and service not too great, Seating layout,

Chutneys is one of the most famous Indian restaurants and have a good reputation for the food especially their chutneys hence the name. The restaurant is located in the city centre right in the middle of town, just of two main streets. Parking is available about a 5 minute walk, but as with Oxford, it is not particularly car friendly. A new branch called Chutneys 2 has just been opened near to the railway station, but not sure what this is like. This opinion refers to the main city centre.

When you eventually get there by going off George Street, the main joint for party goers you will find a rather modest looking restaurant, which is small. However with the windows around it is bright. The decor isn't really to my taste, being very plain and I say boring. It looks like a family run business with the young waiters around and I'm sure one of them looks like a very young Muhammad Ali!! The place is very busy but usually there is a table free. After being seated I flicked through the menu, which wasn't very impressive. Not content wise, but you don't expect to start eating off the menu immediately!! The seating arrangement is rather strange too, and you could be virtually sharing a table with others, not good if you favour a bit more privacy.

Content wise Chutneys is renown for its chutneys and curries. I decided to go for a main course this time. The starters range from a 2-6 pounds depending on what you order, with meat starters more expensive. The usual kebabs and bahjis are here. The curry list is impressive with curries from various regions of India and also Bangledeshi cuisines as well. Making a choice is quite bewildering. Again prices are reasonable, not cheap, compared to curry houses I go to. The wine list is impressive too with a good range of red and white wine. Beer is also available.

Seeing the poppadums go past should have told me what to expect. The poppadums are on the small size and
different shape to what I normally have. When my dish finally arrived, which was a rather long time though admittedly it was busy, I was shocked to find the portion being quite small. The Nan I had was quartered and not half the size of Nans i've had elsewhere. The curry a Naryal Chicken itself was rather meagre with just a few chunks of chicker, in fact I think you get more portion from the supermarket meals! However it was rather tasty with the almonds and coconut making it very delightful indeed. The chicken was tender but rather bland without the sauce considering it was supposed to be a chicken tikka. I had to order an extra portion of rice to finish off the curry as the small nan which was tasty ended its use rather too quickly!! Yes the rice was small too.

The service from the young waiters isn't the best, with me personally finding them rather rude and brash. There doesn't seem to be a friendly atmosphere in this place.

In all the food is good, if you can cope with the small portions and rather poor service. Well worth a visit if you ever visit Oxford and can't be bothered going down the Cowley Road, but I won't be returning yet.

Anyone interested in curries and are passing by Birmingham then check out my op on another excellent Indian.

Summary: