Bangladeshi & Indian Cuisine

We were looking for a restaurant which wouldn't break the bank even though it was Saturday night. That's the night when prices in expensive restaurants go up, and in the cheaper places none of the midweek or mid-day discounts apply. So an Indian restaurant seemed a good idea.We were driving to Ruislip Manor to another Indian restaurant, checking all the 'Indians' on the way, when we spotted the bright lights and colourful modern exterior of this place on the corner. MenuThe menu in the window had many familiar dishes. We saw sections on tandoori, balti, seafood and the milder biriyani dishes. A large choice. So, in we went.I loved the colour scheme. The decor is white and purple and magenta - a bit like Virgin airlines airport lounges. The crockery by Churchill is magenta and plum. It matches the chairs which are in either bluey -purple or pinky magenta. The pantings are modern. The restaurant is long with tables down one side and a mirror all the way along behind the tables to create the illusion of space.The bar is facing the door as you walk in. So if you want a table somebody catches your eye instantly.The wine waiter appeared fast to take our drinks order. I see no lassi. No wines by the glass. I'm not into spirits. So for us it's one Kingfisher beer and one glass of tap water which comes up with a slice of lemon.The restaurant name, Elachi, means cinnamon.StartersWe began ordering poppadums with the dish of four relishes, mango chutney, chopped onion and cucumber, yogurt dip and something which looked spicier.Main CoursesWe chose chicken pasanda (chicken in mild sauce) which had large chunks of succulent chicken. Our vegetable was sag aloo (spinach and potato) - can't go wrong. We added a vegetable option, Dall Maharaja, lentils, which seemed to be chickpeas in lentil sauce. It was a bit too spicy for me. They asked if everything was okay and when I asked if they could add yogurt to make it less spicy they whisked it away and soon brought it back. So full marks for service.BreadWe chose peshwari naan. The stuffing was coconut only, not the addition of sultanas and ground almonds which I've had elsewhere and prefer. The bread was good and fluffly.RiceWe had rice. We could have had the coconut rice but we'd already got bread with coconut. Keema (meat) rice would have made a change. DessertsThe gulub jamun and ras mulai on the menu were no longer available - lack of demand - but they had mango kulfi and pistacchio kulfi. (Kulfi is Indian ice cream.) The pistachio kulfi was so good that we spent the rest of the meal discussing the merits of pistachio nuts versus almonds and cashews. Desserts were served in royal blue stemmed dishes. A feast for the eyes.The flowers (one on each table - were supplied by a local florist). Our bloom was orange the day we visited, with a wire wound around the stem to keep it upright. CoffeeThe menu showed no espressos nor cappucinos but the rest of the meal was okay so I risked ordering one coffee. The coffee with brown sugar lumps and milk was good.The music was faint Bollywood music but the jolly people at the table opposite celebrating a birthday could be heard above the music.Prices and BargainThe bill was about £25 for two (add service) which we thought was good value for a place with such classy surroundings - and enough leftovers for next day's meal.The manu mentioned the Sunday buffet from 12 noon to 3 pm, adults £6.95 and children under 12 years £3.95.Mild or Spicy?My dining partner had just returned from Pakistan (Yes, I know Bangladesh is not Pakistan) and said that in his experience British Indian food bears no relation to what you get in India but is adapted to what the UK restaurant owner thinks is British taste. I have to say that the restaurant owners in the UK who adapt to British taste have got it just right. Opening hours are 12 noon to 2.30 and 5.30 pm to 11.30 and they are open 7 days a week including bank holidays. They don't have a website, nor any other branches. Yet!From our table near the bar at the doorway we could see the high street's Christmas decorations, already up in mid-November. Full marks to Ruislip Manor as other high streets in the area are economising on lights.Getting To Ruislip ManorIf you don't know this area check it on the map. I blithely told the person who was driving that I wanted to go to Ruislip, not realising that there's a Ruislip and Ruislip Manor. This restaurant is easy to spot on the corner by the station in Victoria Road which is the main road running north-south.

A User - 11/11/2008 | report this review